Chicken Health - Everything You Need To Know About Deworming
Posted by Grange Co-op on 9th Dec 2025
Backyard chickens are amazing! Fresh eggs, happy clucks, and boundless entertainment - one scroll through #ChickensOfTikTok will keep you entertained for hours (don’t ask me how I know).
But what’s not entertaining - dealing with a worm infestation in your flock. Keeping your little biddies parasite free will keep the eggs coming and prevent poor health, that in severe cases could lead to their demise. We’ve got the tips that will keep your flock healthy!
Keep It Clean
The first step in preventing worm overloads is to keep your coop clean. Daily checks to make sure the water and feed containers are clean and fresh. While doing your daily rounds you also want to remove droppings daily. If possible, rotate the pasture or yard periodically to give your birds a fresh, sunny and dry area to roam. Yes, chicken math is a thing! But don’t overdo it and overcrowd your coop. Overcrowding can lead to stress and poor health conditions for your chickens. Also, make sure you swap out litter and bedding often.
Feeders and Waterers, we love: https://www.grangecoop.com/farm-ranch/poultry-supplies/poultry-feeders-waterers/
Types of Worms
The reality is, many backyard chickens will have a small parasite burden and can live healthy, happy lives. When that parasite load starts affecting your flock’s health, you know you need to take some action, and half the battle is knowing what you’re up against. Here’s a quick look at the types of worms your chickens are susceptible to:
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Roundworms (Ascaridia galli): The most common culprit. These spaghetti-like worms cause weight loss, diarrhea, and decreased egg production. Severe infestations can block intestines.
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Tapeworms (Cestodes): Flat, segmented worms that latch onto the intestinal lining. They require intermediate hosts like beetles or snails and interfere with nutrient absorption.
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Gapeworms (Syngamus trachea): These red, Y-shaped worms lodge in the trachea, causing respiratory distress. Chickens may gasp or stretch their necks to breathe.
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Cecal Worms (Heterakis gallinarum): Found in the ceca. While often harmless, they can transmit blackhead diseases to turkeys.
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Capillary Worms (Capillaria spp.): Hair-like worms that infest the crop and intestines, leading to anemia and green diarrhea.
Signs to watch for in your flock: visible worms in droppings, lethargy, weight loss, diarrhea, or a sudden drop in egg production.
Types of Dewormer
So which dewormer do you need? There seems to be so many to choose from so let’s break it down.
Fenbendazole is great for roundworms, cecal worms, and some tapeworms. Most of these treatments do require an egg withdrawal period of 7-14 days, so make sure you check the label or consult your vet.
If you are looking for a natural alternative, food grade Diatomaceous Earth is a great option. Garlic and Pumpkin seeds are natural helpers that won’t clear heavy infestation on their own but may help prevent an infestation.
Fenbendazole Poultry Dewormer: https://www.grangecoop.com/poultry-dewormer-5x/
Safe-Guard AquaSol Poultry Dewormer: https://www.grangecoop.com/aquasol-poultry-dewormer-3-ml/
Deworming Seasonally
Is there a best time of year to deworm your chickens? Spring and Fall are great starting points. In the springtime deworm before peak egg production, and in the fall after molting. If you are in an area with heavy parasite exposure or your flock is free-range, deworming every three months can be recommended. You will absolutely want to consult your vet for frequency instructions as worms can become resistant to treatment if used too often. For your chicks, focus on clean brooder conditions as dewormers are not recommended for chicks under 8 weeks of age, unless prescribed by your vet.
So, when you are endless scrolling through crazy chicken lady videos, thinking you need to join the club, remember it's not all funny videos and free eggs. Dealing with a worm infestation can be cringy to say the least. With a lot of prevention and carefully planned treatment, your flock can be the next internet trend or at least bring you and your family tons of joy and eggs!