worming chickens - which is it?

tgheathcote · **Posted:** Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:17 pm

is it ivomectin or ivermectin? I want the one that does everything worming etc and also helps with leg mites as two of my polish crosses seem to have scaly legs (compliments of previous owner).

greenaus · **Posted:** Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:02 pm

Ivermectin is the chemical

Ivomec is the product/brand.

See a picture of the one Kylie bought from Gatton http://vetnpetdirect.com.au/product.php ... t=0&page=1

NOTE: While looking for a picture, I just read that the makers say NOT to mix it with water.

Kylie · **Posted:** Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:01 pm

Hi tgheathcote

This is the thread about ivomec, there is lots of great info on the product there, most of which comes from first hand experience with the product from apf members

http://www.australianpoultryforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=1548

I used the one in the link greenaus posted and have found it a great all rounder :-D

Hope it helps

tgheathcote · **Posted:** Sat Apr 19, 2008 7:50 pm

on the picture there is a withholding period - so therefore i shouldn't eat the eggs then after using it?

Kylie · **Posted:** Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:17 pm

the withholding period is 14 days, some members sugested boiling the eggs and feeding them back to the choox so their not being thrown out, thats what i did with mine also, my girls love them mashed up with their veggies

tgheathcote · **Posted:** Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:13 pm

thanks for that - but i cant afford the withholding period, our kids would go bananas if they cant have there boiled eggs every day. lol. I have heard that sump oil on the legs of chickens with scaly legs gets rid of the problem is this true? or are there other options, that dont have withholding periods?

pjh · **Posted:** Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:21 pm

yes sump oil or any oily substance will smother the leg mites-I used to use vegetable oil with some eucalyptus oil added---you will need to re do them and it only treats the leg mites and not lice or worms where as the other product treats allmost everything-----the with holding period is precautionary, whether you observe it or not, is up to you-----depending how many hens/pens you have could you treat half and then the other half, so u still have some eggs (from the untreated onnes) in the withholding period, then the treated ones eggs will be past it and you can treat the others.

just it is way easier and treats so much, it is really a good treatment, cheers pam

greenaus · **Posted:** Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:43 pm

Until experience proves otherwise, I intend to have no withholding period for eggs (for our own use).

In the main Ivermectin thread it was revealed that it is near impossible to overdose a (healthy) chook with even a large dose, so I doubt there'd be enough in eggs to cause humans any problems.

I will/would go with the withholding period for meat, though.

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

I support greenaus statement - regards Ivomec - it has been revealed it is difficult to overdose a healthy chook. There has been no hard evidence that traces have found their way into eggs - it would have to be the individuals choice to withhold eggs.

The product Cydectin [used for cattle and red deer] has an active ingredient of Moxidectin @ 5g/L with 'no withholding period' for either meat or milk. It has been shown in clincal tests to be able to be administered at 1,000 times the required dosage with no ill effect on cattle/deer and healthy chickens and turkeys. I have heard of pplz using it on their peacocks as well. [I use it externally on the back of the birds neck] The dosage rate works out to 1ml per 5kg of body weight approximately. A number of pplz insist that 3 drops will suffice right up until they discover it has infact been inadequate for the job it is intended. "No offence meant to any that may believe this is the correct amount for a chook" = the dosage must remain the same per kg no matter the animal or bird for the maximum effect.
Yep - I've done my homework on this one folks.

greenaus · **Posted:** Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:18 pm

And, I just added to that homework.

Based on the best estimates according to Pharmaceutical and other standards, there are 20 - 25 drops in a ml, so you would need to dose at 4 - 5 drops per kg.

Now all I need to know is how many kg my chooks weigh. Apparently a RIR cock is about 3.5 - 4kg, a hen 3 - 3.5kg.

So, dosing of adult RIR and similar sized birds could be around 14 - 17 drops per bird. That's a lot of drops and a lot of keeping them still.

According to the manufacturers, you should not dilute Ivomec as it is a suspension.

As you know, if you add water, eventually the suspension will collapse and you can't be sure of an equal dose per 100ml of diluted solution.

So, what are out options?

I guess we'll have to spray it on, pour it on or...

Go with a 0.8 or 1ml syringe or eye dropper and squeeze the full amount on each bird.

My 50ml bottle will now last for approximately 50 doses. But, since it apparently treats most parasites inside and out, it is worth every cent.

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