You can spot worms in your chickens by watching for key warning signs in their behavior and appearance. Look for pale combs, ruffled feathers, weight loss, and reduced egg production. Your chickens might show lethargy, isolation from the flock, or increased appetite without gaining weight. Check their droppings for white specks, worms, or unusual texture – healthy droppings should be firm and brownish-green. Natural treatments like diatomaceous earth and pumpkin seeds can help, while chemical wormers offer stronger solutions. Understanding these symptoms and treatments will help you protect your flock’s health and productivity.
Common Types of Chicken Worms
Several common parasitic worms can infect your chickens, including roundworms, cecal worms, gapeworms, and tapeworms. Roundworms, particularly Ascaridia galli, are the most prevalent and live in your chickens’ intestines, growing up to 3 inches long. You’ll often spot these pale, spaghetti-like worms in droppings or during processing.
Cecal worms are smaller parasites that inhabit the ceca, two pouches in your chickens’ digestive system. While they’re less harmful than roundworms, they can transmit blackhead disease to turkeys. Gapeworms attach to your birds’ trachea, causing breathing difficulties and that characteristic “gaping” motion as chickens try to clear their airways.
Tapeworms are flat, segmented parasites that require an intermediate host like slugs, snails, or insects to complete their lifecycle. They attach to your chickens’ intestinal walls and steal nutrients from their food. You might notice rice-like segments in your birds’ droppings. Each type of worm affects your flock differently, but all can impact growth, egg production, and overall health if left untreated. Recognizing these specific parasites helps you choose the most effective deworming treatment.
Physical Signs of Worm Infestation
Watching for five key physical symptoms can help you identify worm infestations in your chickens. First, check your birds’ droppings for signs of worms, which may appear as white specks or actual worms in the feces. You’ll also notice diarrhea or unusually foamy, watery droppings with severe infestations.
Second, examine your chickens’ physical appearance. Infected birds often display pale combs and wattles due to anemia, while their feathers may appear ruffled or unkempt.
Third, monitor their weight – infected chickens typically lose weight despite normal eating habits, as the worms steal their nutrients.
The fourth sign involves behavior changes. Infected chickens often become lethargic, spend more time sleeping, and show less interest in normal activities. They may also isolate themselves from the flock.
Finally, check their egg production. Worm-infested hens usually lay fewer eggs, and the eggs might’ve thin or soft shells.
If you notice two or more of these symptoms, it’s important to collect a fresh fecal sample and have it tested by a veterinarian. Early detection and treatment will help prevent the infestation from spreading throughout your flock.
Also Read: Benefits of Marigolds for Chickens
Behavioral Changes to Watch For

Chickens’ behavior can change dramatically when they’re fighting a worm infestation. You’ll notice affected birds become lethargic, spending more time sitting or lying down instead of their usual scratching and foraging activities. They might isolate themselves from the flock and appear depressed or disinterested in normal social interactions.
Watch for changes in eating habits. Infected chickens often show increased appetite but still lose weight, as the worms steal nutrients from their food. Some birds may become aggressive at feeding time due to increased hunger, while others might stop eating altogether. You’ll also notice them drinking more water than usual.
Pay attention to your chickens’ dust bathing routine. Infected birds typically reduce or stop this natural behavior entirely. They may also exhibit unusual pecking patterns, especially around their vent area if they’re experiencing irritation from worms. If you notice your chickens dragging their wings or walking with a hunched posture, these could be signs of discomfort from a heavy worm burden.
Look for changes in egg-laying patterns. Hens with worm infestations often lay fewer eggs or may stop laying completely as their bodies struggle to maintain normal functions.
Check Your Chicken Droppings
Regular inspection of chicken droppings provides one of the most reliable indicators of a worm infestation. You’ll need to check both individual droppings and accumulated waste in your coop for specific signs. Look for unusual colors, consistency changes, or the presence of worms or worm segments.
Healthy chicken droppings should be firm and brownish-green with white caps of uric acid. During a worm infestation, you might notice watery, foamy, or bloody droppings. In severe cases, you’ll see actual worms or worm segments in the feces. Round worms appear as spaghetti-like strands, while tapeworm segments look like small white rice grains.
Keep an eye out for dark red or tarry droppings, which can indicate internal bleeding from worm damage. Collect fresh droppings samples in clean containers if you plan to have them tested by a veterinarian. For accurate results, gather multiple samples from different chickens over 24 hours. Don’t wait to act if you spot concerning changes – early detection and treatment greatly improve your flock’s chances of recovery. Make dropping inspection part of your daily chicken care routine to catch potential problems quickly.
Natural Prevention Methods

Several natural methods can help prevent worm infestations in your chicken flock before they start. Begin by keeping your chicken coop clean and dry, removing droppings regularly, and maintaining proper ventilation.
You’ll want to rotate your chickens‘ grazing areas every few months to prevent them from picking up worm eggs from contaminated soil.
Add food-grade diatomaceous earth to your chickens’ feed or dust bath area, as it helps eliminate internal parasites naturally. Incorporate herbs like oregano, thyme, and garlic into their diet – these have natural anti-parasitic properties. You can also offer them pumpkin seeds, which contain cucurbitacin, a natural deworming compound.
Keep your flock’s immune system strong by providing a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Consider adding apple cider vinegar to their water (1 tablespoon per gallon) to maintain gut health. Guarantee your chickens have access to grit, which helps grind food in their gizzards and can help eliminate parasites.
Don’t overcrowd your coop or run, as this increases the risk of parasite transmission. If possible, allow your chickens to free-range, as they’ll naturally seek out plants and insects that help combat parasites.
Treatment Options and Medications
Once you’ve confirmed that your chickens have worms, you’ll need to choose between chemical or natural treatment options. Chemical wormers like Fenbendazole, Ivermectin, and Piperazine are highly effective and widely available through veterinary suppliers. You’ll need to carefully follow dosage instructions based on your chicken’s weight and the specific type of worm infestation.
Natural treatments include food-grade diatomaceous earth, which you can mix into their feed at a rate of 2% of total feed volume. Pumpkin seeds, garlic, and apple cider vinegar can also help combat worm infestations, though they’re generally less effective than chemical options. If you choose natural remedies, you’ll need to be more consistent with treatment and monitor your birds closely.
Whichever treatment you select, you must treat all chickens in your flock, even those without symptoms. Clean and disinfect their coop thoroughly during treatment to prevent reinfection. Remember to observe egg withdrawal periods when using chemical wormers – typically 14 days for most medications. If your chickens don’t show improvement after treatment, consult a veterinarian as they may need a different medication or have another health issue.
Keeping Your Coop Worm-Free

Maintaining a worm-free coop stands as your first line of defense against parasitic infections. You’ll need to implement regular cleaning routines and preventive measures to minimize the risk of worm infestations in your chicken coop.
Clean your coop thoroughly at least once a week, removing all droppings and soiled bedding. Replace old bedding with fresh material, and guarantee proper drainage to prevent moisture buildup, as parasitic eggs thrive in damp conditions. Consider using diatomaceous earth on the coop floor and nesting boxes to naturally deter parasites.
Keep your chickens’ feeding area clean by elevating food and water containers to prevent contamination with droppings. Rotate your chickens’ outdoor areas regularly to prevent them from pecking at ground contaminated with parasitic eggs. If you’ve got a fixed run, rake it regularly and remove any accumulated droppings.
Don’t introduce new chickens to your flock without quarantining them for at least two weeks. During this time, monitor them for signs of parasites and treat them if necessary. This practice helps prevent the spread of worms to your existing flock and maintains a healthy coop environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Chickens Die Suddenly From a Severe Worm Infestation?
Yes, your chickens can die suddenly from severe worm infestations. Heavy parasite loads can cause fatal complications like intestinal blockages, malnutrition, and anemia. Don’t wait for symptoms – regular deworming is essential for prevention.
How Often Should I Rotate Worming Medications to Prevent Resistance?
You should rotate between different classes of worming medications every 3-4 months. Don’t use the same dewormer consecutively, as worms can develop resistance. Consult your vet for a specific rotation schedule.
Are Worm Eggs From Infected Chickens Dangerous to Humans?
Yes, you should be concerned about chicken worm eggs. They can infect humans through contaminated soil or droppings. Always wash your hands after handling chickens and maintain good hygiene to prevent potential infections.
Can Baby Chicks Get Worms From Their Mother Hen?
Yes, baby chicks can get worms from their mother hen. While they’re not born with worms, they can pick up worm eggs from contaminated droppings or soil in their environment once they start scratching and pecking.
Do Free-Range Chickens Get More Worms Than Chickens Kept in Coops?
Yes, your free-range chickens are more likely to get worms than coop-kept birds because they’ll have greater exposure to contaminated soil, wild birds, and insects that can carry parasitic eggs and larvae.
Conclusion
Protecting your chickens from worms is essential for their health and your flock’s success. You’ll need to regularly monitor your birds for signs of infestation, check their droppings, and maintain clean coop conditions. If you spot symptoms, don’t wait to act – use appropriate treatments and preventive measures. With proper care and vigilance, you can keep your flock healthy and worm-free.