Comments on: Pumpkin Seed Chicken Dewormer

By: BethieofVA

BethieofVA — Fri, 14 May 2010 20:08:00 +0000

Hi there, I found you when I was searching for the pumpkin dewormer info! What a nice blog. Do you know if pumpkin is the only seed that works for the chicks? I only have four, but completely new at it and gathering all info I can.

Love looking around your site. Do you mind me asking what state you are in?

Beth-Yorktown, VA

By: charlotte

charlotte — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:55:59 +0000

Penny, don’t buy Chicken run yet. I have it will send it with B. next time he comes out. That way you can watch it to make shore you want to buy it . I watched it last night, you will love it I shore did.

By: Kitaye

Kitaye — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:28:08 +0000

Morning Penny. The Barred Rock in the last picture is a hen. The cocks have a much finer detailing in their feater colours. Also, the white ones look just like my Columbia Rocks. Yes, they have huge combs but they are hens.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:03:31 +0000

Penny, I’ve also read that apple cider vinegar mixed with their drinking water is a dewormer. I use it during the summer months. Of all the years I’ve had chickens I’ve never had any that were wormy…..that I know of….how would you tell??
Chicken Run was the best, I need to order it too. After We watched it I really saw my chickens in a different way….they are smarter than we give them credit for. Did you notice a reaction in your chickens on “freezer camp” day?? I do…it’s sad….but what else can you do when you are over run with roos and you can’t even GIVE them away! Enough about chickens now….I’ve got tons to do. Talk to ya soon!

By: basicliving

basicliving — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:12:39 +0000

Julie – I have not seen Chicken Run, but I keep hearing it’s a cute movie. I may just have to buy that for an early Christmas gift to myself!

By: basicliving

basicliving — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:10:59 +0000

Hey Julie – I hope you’re right about the barred rock, and I’m afraid you’re right about the white ones. They look identical…. I am just hoping against hope that they are pullets! They are really pretty and docile chickens…..

You may be right about the gizzard grinding up the seeds. I think if you nick or chop the seeds before feeding them, it releases the cucurbitin in whatever you’re mixing them with. But what do I know – I’m not even sure if it really works! I just know I’ve never had an issue with my chickens being wormy and they get lots of pumpkin smoothies in the fall. Who knows if THAT’S why they’re not wormy – but I’m too afraid to quit!

And get ready for me to be famous Cuz! I am certain I will poop an egg if Bernie actually builds the shelter and pens and I end up with goats and turkeys in the spring!!

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:06:30 +0000

Just a quick note….what I wrote about the seeds (grinding them up may not be necessary) that’s just an observation about the sunflower seeds not pumpkin and it was mainly for me because I’m way to lazy to mix mine up a smoothie let alone grind them seeds.lol Some chickens have super mommies and get pampered like that.:0) I’m glad chickens can’t read or telecommunicate! lol I’d have mutiny on my hands…. Have you ever seen the movie “Chicken Run” ? Too cute!

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:45:43 +0000

Forth try….
The barred rock looks like a pullet, the white one to the left in the next to the last pic looks like a cockerel, can’t see the other white one good enough….when they grow up they will be the size of mine. I hope this goes through this time! The first three attempts I wrote a book but I won’t this time;)
About grinding up the seeds….it may not be necessary because of their gizzard. When we put ours in the freezer a few weeks back a neighbor wanted the gizzards so I cleaned them for him and found ground up sunflower seeds. The gizzard is full of small gravel, sand that grinds seeds and other things because chickens can’t chew and they don’t have the ability to break seeds open like birds do. I thought this was fascinating, because I always knew that’s what the gizzard is for but just always wondered how in the world they could eat those hard sunflower seeds without doing damage to their insides.
You are an amazing chicken Mom Penny! You definitely have made a great homesteader! And about pooping an egg……well, you may just become very famous! lol! Love ya!

By: basicliving

basicliving — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:21:05 +0000

Lisa – I got the pictures you sent, and I am certain you are correct. The two big white ones look just like your Delawares, and the speckled one looks just like your Barred Rock. I’ve seen my neighbor’s Barred Rock – but he only has one and it is a hen. I’ll have to look more closely at his flock – I’ve never seen a Delaware down there – but they free range, so I may just be missing them. Thanks so much for all the pictures and info!

Trixi – My chickens like pumpkins ok, but they go crazy for the seeds chopped and mixed with buttermilk, milk, or yogurt. I do believe the seeds act as a dewormer, but I do not think they will replace treatment for all types of worms, or if there is a serious infestation.

Cotton Lady – It will be wonderful to have some farm hands around! I’ve been working on Bernie and I do believe he’s agreed to build a shelter and add fencing so I can get a couple of goats and some turkeys next year! I’ve been wearing him down on the subject over the past couple of years and last week when I mentioned I knew the perfect spot for the goat/turkey shelter, he said “Well, you need to show me where you want it so I can get it built.” I almost pooped an egg! It wasn’t a straight out agreement, but it’s close enough and I’m moving forward on it

By: Cotton Lady

Cotton Lady — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:49:49 +0000

Who would athunk it about pumpkin seeds?! I will put this in my file for when we get chickens in a couple of years. My daughter and family are moving onto the farm then, so I can downsize. They are all excited about having chickens, a couple of goats, and a couple of calves to raise.