To Flubenvet or not? And if so, where to buy - Swindon / Reading / Online?

[Stan79]

Hi all,

The 4 chooks have been in their 4.8mx2.4m run since September but are free ranging over about 1/3rd of an acre all day, most days. The ground in the run is just dirt and can get a bit squelchy under foot but they are only in there first thing in the morning and at dusk. Should i look to add wood chips or something else to dry the soil out?

Should i consider liming the soil at the same time? I read a thread on here recently where someone was suggesting not to use Flubenvet too widely as worms could potentially build up a resistance to it... I haven't wormed them since they arrived back in May as they look healthy enough... Do i need to worm them? I don't quite see the logic behind doing it if they don't have worms?!?!

In case i should definitely do it, i've been having a Google for Flubenvet and am coming up short! Places that have it in stock at all only seem to have the premixed pellets and i was after the powder on it's own...

Is it better to buy the pellets or the powder?

Can anyone recommend a supplier either along the M4 corridor or online?

Many thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Stan

[Scarlet]

Hi Stan, I would worm them , I know you say you can't see them but I wormed my puppy 3 weeks ago (I hadn't seen any, just a matter of routine) yuk! It was like spaghetti the next morning...
Chickens are much the same as dogs, worming is a routine health precaution, you don't always see them and often worm symtoms are spotted much too late. Worms can kill.

If you only have four chickens personally the pellets would be my choice of worming. The powder can be quite fiddly as it's such a small amount to mix into a tub of food. Although it's easily found online (I'll look in a bit) you can also get it from your local agricultural store.

Liming is a good idea for your enclosed area but you need to keep your birds off it for 6 months - that's the difficult bit, so may not be an option? You can use wood chips in there, I have a friendly tree surgeon who drops them off for free.

http://www.sprcentre.com/Online-Shop...try-Wormer-60g
The flubenvet comes in small tubs, it's not cheap and a small teaspoon does a lot of birds so with only four chickens the cheapest and easiest way (IMO) would be the pellets, the flubenvet powder has a best before date too.

http://keeping-chickens.me.uk/what-t...tock/flubenvet

[Stan79]

Thank you Scarlet. Found some online at Farm and Pet Place - UK's one stop shop for Pet Supplies and more which seems much cheaper than anywhere else when you include the shipping cost. Countrywide (where i normally get stuff from) appear to not have any in stock at the moment.

Luckily I just read about the short shelf life - only two months! I was going to buy a big bag but it seems as though it might be a waste of money.

Liming doesn't really sound like an option at present... will try and find some wood chips!

Thanks for your input!

I will Flubenvet when it arrives and then Verm-X between now and the next dose of Flubenvet.

Cheers,

Stan

[Scarlet]

I never used Verm-X, though I know many people who do. I use apple cider vinegar in their water as a preventative. Not sure if it's any good but it's never done any harm

[Stan79]

Good! I just bought some apple cider vinegar and a plastic watererererererer at the same time as the Flubenvet as the prices were low and the postage was the same!

[Highlander]

I always use Flubenvet every 3 months. Like previous poster I was surprised by the amount of worms seen afterward even when regularly wormed. The hens have free range and we have lots of wild birds (plus wild geese and pheasants) roaming with them. I had a friend who lost 2 birds and then started worming, the rest of the flock picked up within a few days.

[frias]

Verm-X is just a preventative. I used it for ages when my lot had tape worm. It was useless. As soon as I used Flubenvet it was like a miracle and I now use it every 3 months.

[Stan79]

Yep - i plan to Flubenvet then use Verm-X and Apple Cider Vinegar between now and the next dose of Flubenvet in a few months time.

[kathyd]

I've routinely Flubenvetted my lot twice a year until now, and never seen any sign of worms - until recently when we discovered gape worms. Not nice! Still struggling to get rid of them. Although things have improved dramaticallym I'm convinced we're not properly clear of them yet. So my 'routine' worming will have to be upped - it's much easier to prevent than to fix, take it from one who's found out the hard way!

[Ja9]

I also learnt the hard way about regular worming of chickens,and lost at least one bird to worms.I use the powder and mix it myself as more cost effective but having just tried to buy it myself recently,I struggled. There is a manufacturing delay and many online places are out of stock.I got mine on e bay in the end.
If there is anyway you can cover the run,it makes a massive difference.I have used some poly tunnel polythene on the roof.my run was a disgusting smelly muddy mess last year,despite wood chips. Dreadful breeding ground for everything!Its completely dry now and much easier to poo pick.