How Much Ivermectin for Chickens to Control Parasites Donna Larson, September 10, 2024September 10, 2024 Oh no, you’ve discovered a problem in your chicken coop, and you need to know how much Ivermectin for chickens is needed to control parasites. How Much Ivermectin for Chickens? First of all, you should know that Ivermectin is not recommended by the manufacturer for use in your backyard chickens. Backyard chicken-keepers don’t widely know this because they have used it so broadly. Secondly, Ivermectin product comes in three different variations for different strengths and uses: topical formulation oral formulation injectable ivermectin We will discuss using the topical application only, commonly referred to as a pour-on solution. You do not need a veterinarian prescription to obtain Ivermectin, but you should consult with him/her nonetheless. What is Ivermectin? According to PoultryDVM, “Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic used to treat a variety of internal and external parasites commonly found in pet poultry. Ivermectin is sold as a drench, injectable, or pour-on solution sold for use in cattle, goats, swine or horses. It is used off label in pet poultry, and given to each bird orally (PO), topically, IM, or added to the flock’s water source.” What Kind of Parasites? All bird species can contract internal and external parasites, and chickens are no different. Both kinds can be spread amongst your flock in no time. Internal Parasites Problems from internal parasites include poor feed conversion rates, reduced egg quality, improper digestive issues, weakened immune systems, infertility, and even death. The following internal parasites commonly infect chickens: Round worms Tape Worms Cecal Worms Gape Worms Capillary Worms 1. Round Worm The most common internal parasite that you’ll probably come across in your chickens is the round worm. If you keep chickens long enough, you’ll come up against them. Round worms can easily kill the youngest of your flock, but older birds can usually withstand a very small worm load if they’re otherwise healthy chickens. They cannot pass from chicken to human, but finding round worms inside of your chickens eggs is certainly disgusting. Ivermectin is effective against round worms. 2. Capillaria Worms (a/k/a Threadworms / Hair Worms) Less common are capillary worms or hair worms. They are very thin, like a thread, and they attack the chickens’ digestive tracts. You can become infected with capillaria worms from your chickens, but it’s unlikely with proper hand washing. This is much more of a problem in third world countries with communities that don’t have access to clean running water. Ivermectin may be an effective treatment against capillaria worms, but not always. It seems to work better with larger birds that can withstand a higher dosage. 3. Cecal Worms Even less common are cecal worms, that may be found in just one part of the chickens’ large intestine. There have been very few documented cases of humans becoming infected by cecal worms. However, cecal worms often come with a secondary infection by a protozoa that can be transmitted to people. Cecal worm outbreaks almost always happen in flocks that are kept in confined, overcrowded spaces. Ivermectin pour-on will work well against cecal worms in your chickens. 4. Gape Worms These are internal worms that are exclusive to birds. They infect the airways of the chickens or other poultry species and cause obstruction. Ivermectin is not the recommended course of action for gape worms in your birds. 5. Tape Worms Tapeworms in chickens are intestinal parasites that attach to the lining of the bird’s intestines. They feed on the nutrients the chicken consumes. These flat, segmented worms can grow several inches long and are transmitted through intermediate hosts like insects that chickens may ingest. People can easily contract tape worms from chickens by contact with tape eggs that are shed in chicken manure. Ivermectin is not the recommended dewormer for tape worms. External Parasites Common external parasites in chickens include lice, mites (such as northern fowl mites and red mites), fleas, and ticks. These pests can cause irritation, feather loss, and anemia by feeding on the chickens’ blood or skin. Ivermectin pour on will relieve your birds of all of these external parasites. 1. Scaly Leg Mites Scaly leg mites are tiny parasites that burrow under the scales on a chicken’s legs and feet, causing irritation, swelling, and thick, crusty deposits. Over time, the infestation can lead to deformities, lameness, and secondary infections if left untreated because the mites damage the tissue by feeding and laying eggs under the scales. 2. Fleas Sticktight fleas attach themselves to chickens’ skin around their eyes, combs, and wattles. The fleas suck the chickens’ blood causing anemia, weight loss, scabbing, and reduced production. 3. Lice Chicken body lice feed on the chicken’s skin and feathers, causing irritation, feather loss, and restlessness, which can lead to reduced egg production and overall health issues if the infestation becomes severe. Correct Dosage Remember, using ivermectin in chickens is not recommended at all, so any dosage is going to be off-label. There is no “correct dose.” I have been advised to drop one milliliter of Ivermectin Pour-On right on the skin of the chicken, under each wing. This has been the best way to treat birds on our farm when needed. Ivermectin only kills the species of adult roundworms, not their eggs. If there is a severe infestation, or you’re to the point of losing birds, you may consider treating them again 10-14 days later to kill any newly hatched parasites. We haven’t used the oral solution or the injectable solution for our chickens. Egg Withdrawal Times Because Ivermectin hasn’t been tested by the manufacturer, there is no official egg withdrawal period. To use your eggs for human consumption, it is best dispose of eggs for 7 days after treating. Meat Withdrawal Period Chickens that go to butcher after receiving Ivermectin can be contaminated with the medicine. A 35 day withdrawal period is generally accepted. Detection of Parasites How can you know if your chickens have worms? To officially know if or what kind of internal parasites you’re dealing with, you should take a manure sample to your vet for a fecal float test. They can tell you what worm you need to address so you’ll know if Ivermectin will help you treat your flock. Some signs that you might need to check for worms are: feather Loss slow growth pale comb or mouth diarrhea observable worms in manure weight loss coughing vomiting dirty vent feathers sudden death If you see multiple signs and symptoms in your birds, then consider treatment. How Do Chickens Get Worms? Chickens can get parasites through various means, including direct contact with infected birds, exposure to contaminated environments, or ingestion of intermediate hosts like insects. External parasites like mites and lice spread through close contact or shared bedding, while internal parasites, such as worms, often come from eating infected insects or ingesting parasite eggs from soil, water, or feces. Even if you keep a closed flock, they may be exposed by the wild birds or other animals on your land. Prevention To prevent parasites in backyard chickens, maintain a clean living environment by regularly cleaning coops, replacing bedding, and ensuring good ventilation. Keeping healthy birds and offering boosters to their immune systems will help them fight parasite pressure. Oregano, garlic, and probiotics are all excellent supplements for your healthy chickens. Additionally, use preventative measures like dust baths with diatomaceous earth, rotating pastures to minimize parasite exposure, and performing regular health checks to catch infestations early. Other Treatment Options Without the Use of Ivermectin Okay, this one gets under my skin a little bit. I’m all in for a natural treatment of any ailment on the farm if it works. There’s a great myth out there that raw pumpkin seeds will de-worm your chickens. There are zero studies to support this claim. Another one is to feed your chickens diatomaceous earth (DE). Again, this is a myth. As soon as the DE gets wet in the bird’s mouth, it becomes ineffective against any parasite. DE does help with external mites though. Summary On How Much Ivermectin For Chickens Whether you’re dealing with mite infestations or intestinal worms in your chickens, you can usually break the life cycle of the parasites to regain your flock’s good health with Ivermectin. Identifying the parasite is the key to effective treatment, and keeping clean birds and coops will help prevent them in the first place. Remember, just one drop is how much Ivermectin for chickens is needed for proper parasite control. Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian, nor do I play one online. Any advice that you see here is based purely on a lifetime of experience keeping chickens. I’ve been advised by mentors, vets, and chicken farmers on appropriate methods to treat chickens for various ailments, and some of those are off label instructions. Use discretion with your own flock and seek guidance from your veterinarian. Happy Chicken-Keeping! Donna at Hazel Belle Farm Donna and her family have been homesteading for most of their 20+ years together in some shape or fashion. She currently lives on their 20 acre farm where they grow as much food as possible. What started as a just a few laying hens, has grown into large gardens, pastured poultry, pork, and lamb. They are continuously evolving their small farm to not suit their family’s needs, but also providing to their local community. Donna’s favorite part of the family farm is her self-built micro-dairy, where she gets to love on dairy cows while serving her local community. Milking, cheesemaking, and processing dairy have become the soul of their homestead and the center of their farm. Sources:https://poultrydvm.com/drugs/ivermectin https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36449119 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21673156 Chickens Homesteading