If you keep backyard chickens, chances are you've wondered about parasites at some point. How do you know if your chickens have worms? Should you be testing them? And what happens if you actually find a worm in their poop?
Parasites are a normal part of chicken keeping, but understanding when they're a problem (and when they're not!) can make managing your flock a lot less stressful.
Here are answers to seven common questions I hear from backyard chicken keepers!
1. What are the most common parasites in backyard chickens?
Backyard chickens can be exposed to several different types of parasites, both inside and outside their bodies.
Some of the most common internal parasites include roundworms (Ascaridia), cecal worms (Heterakis), and hairworms (Capillaria). These worms live in different parts of the digestive tract and can vary in how much trouble they cause. Chickens can also become infected with coccidia (Eimeria), microscopic parasites that infect the intestinal tract.
External parasites, such as mites and lice, are another concern for backyard flocks. These parasites live on the birds or in their environment and can cause irritation, feather damage, and other health problems.
The important thing to remember is that finding parasites doesn't automatically mean your chickens are sick. Many factors, including the type of parasite, the level of infection, and the bird's overall health, help determine whether parasites are actually causing a problem.
2. Can my chickens give parasites to my other animals?
If you keep chickens alongside other animals, you might wonder whether they can share parasites.
The good news is that many common chicken parasites are host-specific, meaning they can only infect certain types of animals. For example, the roundworms that infect chickens aren't the same ones that infect goats, sheep, dogs, or cats.
However, some parasites can be shared between different types of birds, such as chickens and turkeys.
So, if your chickens have worms, you generally don't need to worry about those same worms infecting your goats or dogs. But it's still a good idea to keep living areas clean and practice good manure management to help reduce parasite exposure.
3. Can you test chickens for parasites with a fecal sample?
Yes! Just like dogs, cats, horses, and livestock, chickens can be tested for certain parasites using a fecal sample (poop!).
A fecal test looks for microscopic parasite eggs and coccidia oocysts in your chicken's droppings, helping identify which intestinal parasites may be present.
However, not all parasites can be detected through fecal testing, and a negative result doesn't necessarily mean your chickens are parasite-free.
Fecal testing is a useful tool, but results should always be considered alongside your chickens' overall health and history.
4. What is a fecal egg count? Are you counting my chickens' eggs?
Not those eggs! 🥚
A fecal egg count (FEC) is a laboratory test that measures the number of parasite eggs found in a specific amount of manure. Results are typically reported as eggs per gram (EPG).
Fecal egg counts can help us monitor parasite infections over time and evaluate changes following treatment.
One important thing to remember is that the number of eggs in a fecal sample doesn't necessarily tell us how many worms are living inside your chicken. Egg production can vary depending on the parasite and several other factors.
5. My chicken looks healthy, but parasite eggs showed up in her fecal test. What does that mean?
Finding parasite eggs in your chicken's droppings doesn't automatically mean she's sick or needs treatment!
Chickens can carry intestinal parasites without showing any obvious signs of illness. Whether those parasites cause problems depends on several factors, including the type of parasite, the level of infection, and your chicken's overall health.
This is why it's important to look at the bigger picture rather than making treatment decisions based on fecal test results alone.
The goal isn't necessarily to eliminate every parasite. It's to keep your chickens healthy and prevent parasite-related disease.
6. I found a worm in my chicken's poop. What should I do?
First, don't panic! Finding a worm in your chicken's droppings doesn't necessarily mean she's seriously ill.
If possible, take a clear photo or save the worm in a sealed container to help with identification. Different types of worms require different approaches, so knowing what you're dealing with is important.
It's also a good idea to pay attention to your chicken's overall health. Is she eating normally? Acting like herself? Have you noticed any changes in her droppings or egg production?
Contact your veterinarian to discuss whether testing or treatment is appropriate. Finding a worm is useful information, but it doesn't necessarily mean your entire flock needs to be dewormed.
7. What does a good parasite management plan for a backyard flock look like?
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to managing parasites in backyard chickens!
A good parasite management plan considers your flock's health, environment, and history. It includes regularly observing your chickens for changes, using fecal testing when appropriate, maintaining clean living conditions, and making informed treatment decisions when necessary.
The goal isn't to eliminate every parasite, but to reduce the risk of parasite-related disease and keep your flock healthy.
The best plan is one that works for your flock and that you can realistically maintain year-round.
Ready to Build Your Own Chicken Parasite Management Plan?
Understanding parasites is an important first step, but knowing how to use that information to make decisions for your own flock is just as important!
That's why I created Build Your Chicken Flock's Parasite Management Plan, a self-paced online course designed to help backyard chicken keepers take a practical, science-based approach to parasite management.
Through short video lessons and guided worksheets, you'll learn how to recognize parasite risks, monitor your flock, understand testing options, and make informed management decisions. By the end, you'll have a personalized parasite management plan you can use throughout the year.
Learn more about the course: Build Your Chicken Flock's Parasite Management Plan
