Chickens have worms - any solutions that are less chemical?

Hi - I'm a new permaculture fan and learning...
I've concentrated on preventative measures thus far for my fairly new small flock ( 6 birds, no rooster, 1.5 years old)
Mostly by regular inclusion of  - DE, ginger, garlic, and high attentiveness to sanitation in their living surrounds. They were briefly free ranged at a temp home for a few months, but they have been housed in a generous enclosure for most of their lives. (Hawks abound here) I do intend to plant more beneficial herbs and plants in their new pen, however..

they have inevitably gotten worms-
Just wondering if there are any proven de worming solutions that are effective - besides using the dog  and or goat de wormer that has been suggested to me.
I'm also nervous about administering this advised route, as the weight of the different animals is so very different-
IF I'm forced into having to go that route.
Anyone with experience?

Gratefully
Adriane from NC

Hi Adriane and welcome to Permies! Sorry to hear your chickens are dealing with worms. Guessing you've had them tested to confirm?
I had recently been suspecting that my chickens had worms and a farmer friend recommended an herbal worm formula, this one specifically: https://fiascofarm.com/herbs/mollysherbals.php/categories/herbal-wormer
I gave them the first part of the formula for three days as directed and then did a fecal float. Almost no worms and everyone seems to be feeling better! Obviously, I can't know with certainty what effect it had, since I wasn't able to get a fecal float before for comparison. But I think finding only a handful of worm eggs is pretty good for animals that eat off of the ground. I really like that it is good for both preventing and treating. At first, my chickens wouldn't eat it, but I mixed it into some dried grubs and now they are crazy for the stuff and love taking their medicine. I love it because I don't have to worry about it harming the chickens or the soil life.

You might also check out this thread, if that doesn't feel like a route you want to take. https://permies.com/t/166564/Guide-De-worming-Chickens-Easily There is some detailed information about how to use more conventional worming solutions in a way that is safe for chickens.

a farmer friend recommended an herbal worm formula, this one specifically: https://fiascofarm.com/herbs/mollysherbals.php/categories/herbal-wormer
I gave them the first part of the formula for three days as directed and then did a fecal float. Almost no worms and everyone seems to be feeling better! Obviously, I can't know with certainty what effect it had, since I wasn't able to get a fecal float before for comparison. But I think finding only a handful of worm eggs is pretty good for animals that eat off of the ground. I really like that it is good for both preventing and treating. At first, my chickens wouldn't eat it, but I mixed it into some dried grubs and now they are crazy for the stuff and love taking their medicine. I love it because I don't have to worry about it harming the chickens or the soil life.

You might also check out this thread, if that doesn't feel like a route you want to take. https://permies.com/t/166564/Guide-De-worming-Chickens-Easily There is some detailed information about how to use more conventional worming solutions in a way that is safe for chickens.

THANK YOU @ Heather Sharpe
this is such good info to consider!!!

Biochar has shown a lot of effectiveness against internal parasites. Bonus: most chickens love it and will happily hoover up whatever you offer them.

You can plant oregano outside their run so that it grows into it and they will self medicate.  This way they don’t destroy the entire patch.   Also, I’ve heard marigold plants are very beneficial for them.  

On a regular basis I make them a mash with stale bread soaked in water or milk if they need more protein in the winter, add food grade Diatomaceous earth, crushed pumpkin seeds and finely chopped nettles.  They will also self medicate if you grow wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) around them.  Wormwood - self explanatory really!  Of course if they are too daft to self medicate, you can always chop it in their mash or in the yard.  I've had a few daft ones in my time!  Good luck.

Olga Booker wrote:On a regular basis I make them a mash with stale bread soaked in water or milk if they need more protein in the winter, add food grade Diatomaceous earth, crushed pumpkin seeds and finely chopped nettles.  They will also self medicate if you grow wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) around them.  Wormwood - self explanatory really!  Of course if they are too daft to self medicate, you can always chop it in their mash or in the yard.  I've had a few daft ones in my time!  Good luck.

Excellent ideas.  Thank you so muchnfor that information Olga.

Try giving them a lot of hot chillies. Mixed in the feed if they don't eat it right away. They don't feel the spicyness, but the worms will.

I know Olga already mentioned pumpkin seeds, but I thought I would mention that there is some evidence of all the Cucurbits' (squash, pumpkin, etc) seeds being a natural de-wormer. This article links to a few science articles on the topic.

https://www.hobbyfarms.com/fall-decor-pumpkins-squash-gourds-chickens-food-health/

I used to take zucchini's that had grown too big for us to want to eat, and slice them into rings maybe an inch or two thick. I'd throw them in to the chickens and they loved them. I never had any problems with worms. I also have no idea if I the zucchini was the solution, but it was pretty healthy for the chickens and recycled the overgrown squash into eggs, so... it was a win :)