Found worms or looking to prevent them in your flock? Looking for the best or most effective chicken dewormer for your girls? We have done the research for you and picked the best and most effective chicken dewormers that can be given orally, topically, are water soluble or are natural ingredient dewormers.
After hours of research we have put together the best and most effective dewormers based on type. These worming products were picked based off effectiveness, worm species spectrum treatment and ease of administration and value for money.
Read on to find out our picks for the top products to use for deworming your flock.
Our Pick – Oral
Safeguard Multi Species Pellet Dewormer
- Fenbendazole based
- Treats majority of worm types – broad spectrum
- Easy to administer
- Pellet form
Our Pick – Topical
- Ivermectin based
- Treats a limited spectrum of worms and parasite types
- (roundworm, lungworms, gape worm, stomach worms)
- Easy to administer
Our Pick – Soluable
- Fenbendazole based
- Treats majority of worm types
- Easy to administer
- Liquid form
- Administer by mouth/water
Our Pick – Natural
Verm-x Liquid Parasite Prevention
- Formulated from 100% natural herbal ingredients
- Preventative treatment only
- Given in food or water
What this article covers
Below are some quick links. Click any of them to go straight to the section you are interested in – or just carry on reading for the full article!
The Different Types of Chicken Dewormers
There are several types of chicken dewormers available to treat your flock.
Before choosing a dewormer its best to try and identify what type of worms your chicken has passed in their poop to ensure the deworming product will target and kill that worm type. In general a fenbendazole based product is your most broad spectrum dewormer, meaning it will kill the most types of worms your chickens are likely to have.
The most common types of worms you will find in your chickens are roundworms, cecal worms, gape worms, tape worms and thread worms.
When it doubt over which worms your chicken has go for the broad spectrum product such as Safeguard, which is fenbendazole based and will kill the majority of worm types.
If ever in doubt about the correct product and dosage specifications, always consult with a veterinarian first.
Oral
Oral dewormers that can be given in pellet or liquid form are easy to administer via normal feeding or via mouth syringe directly. We like the Safeguard brand in pellet form to blend the dewormer with regular feeding practices. This product is also a broad spectrum dewormer and will kill the common worms likely to be present in your flock.
Skin Topical
Ivermectin based pour on products, such as Durvet, are easy to use and are administered via pouring the prescribed amount onto the back of your chickens neck.
Water Soluble
Dewormers that can be dissolved into your chickens drinking water enable easy administration to your flock. Ensure you follow the product dilution guides to get the medicine strength correct so that dosing and effectiveness is appropriate. This Safeguard product can be diluted into drinking water or administered directly via syringe. This product has the added advantage of being a broad spectrum worm killer.
Natural
There are several types of natural wormers you can give to your chickens. To be clear though, most of these act as preventatives rather than treatments. This VermX brand is a popular natural preventative product that chicken owners use diluted into their flocks water source.
Natural wormers such as apple cider vinegar, pumpkin seeds and chilli, pepper and herbs will help prevent the proliferation of worms in your flock but if evidence of worms are found in your chickens its best to use a pharmaceutical based veterinary product to get on top of the infestation.
Dewormer Treatment Active Ingredient VS Worm Type
| Ivermectin | Fendendazole | Pyrantel Pamoate | Levamisole | |
| Roundworm | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tapeworm | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Cecal Worm | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gapeworm | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Capillary Worm | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Flukes | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ |
In Conclusion
Treating worms doesn’t have to be a stressful event. There are many products available to choose from that can be administered in different ways depending on how much effort you want to put in and the temperament of your flock.
In our opinion, choosing a broad spectrum, super worming fendendazole based product such as Safeguard is likely to be the most efficient and effective treatment for worms in your flock. However if you are in doubt, ensure you consult with a veterinarian professional for further advice.
FAQs
Below we have put together the most commonly asked questions about chicken dewormers.
Q. How Do I Know How Much Dewormer to Administer?
Ensure you follow the instructions and dosing guidelines on your chosen deworming product. Usually this is based on your chickens weight.
Q. Can Poultry Be Treated With Dewormers Advertised For Other Animals?
In most cases, the product can be adjusted for weight specifications. Check the product instructions first or alternatively seek veterinarian advice if unsure.
Q. Do I Need To Stop Eating The Chickens Eggs While Deworming?
In most cases no, you do not have to stop eating the chickens eggs while undertaking worming treatment. If in doubt consult with the product manufacturer or a veterinarian.
Q. Do Natural Dewormers Work?
Natural dewormers such as VermX or Diatomaceous Earth are a great preventative product to stop worms and other parasites from proliferating inside of your chickens. They are however not effective at eliminating an infestation once established though.
Q. How Can I Prevent Future Infestations In My Flock?
A few key ways to prevent worms in your chickens are:
- Ensure scraps are removed after a day of being given.
- Ensure poop in the coop and run are regularly cleaned up i.e weekly.
- Change water regularly so that a fresh supply is maintained.
- Change our bedding and litter in the coop and run regularly and where possible use sand, as it is not as accommodating to worms and parasites.
- Use a natural preventative product to deter worm and parasite establishment such as VermX or Diatomaceous Earth.
References
Common worm types in Poultry – https://extension.psu.edu/deworming-backyard-poultry#:~:text=There%20are%20several%20types%20of,Raillietina%20and%20Choanotaenia%20spp.).
Bird wormers – https://birdvetmelbourne.com/chicken-worms/#:~:text=We%20recommend%20a%20product%20%E2%80%9CBird,eaten%20while%20on%20the%20medication.
Egg Withdrawal – https://birdvetmelbourne.com/chicken-worms/#:~:text=We%20recommend%20a%20product%20%E2%80%9CBird,eaten%20while%20on%20the%20medication.
Wondering how to treat water belly (ascites) in your flock? Read our article to find out!
Chicken Care Shopping List
Are you looking for a shopping list of everything you need when caring for your precious flock? We have put together an easy reference of items for your convenience.
