Deworming Your Backyard Chickens

The growth of backyard chickens is earning them the title of America’s favorite unconventional pets. They provide fresh eggs and offer an engaging hobby for families.

 But keeping your backyard flock happy and healthy requires more than just food and shelter—it’s about preventing unseen threats. We’re not talking about raccoons or the neighbor’s dog. Parasitic worms, seen best under a microscope, can silently harm your chickens, affecting their health, productivity, and even their lifespan.

What are Parasitic Worms?

Parasitic worms are harmful invaders that live inside chickens, stealing nutrients and compromising their health. The most common types affecting backyard flocks include Ascaridia galli (roundworms) and Heterakis gallinarum (cecal worms).
These parasites can contribute to weight loss, respiratory diseases, weakened immune systems, and reduced egg production. Chickens are exposed to these worms by ingesting contaminated food, water, or soil.

Why Deworm Your Chickens

Deworming your flock is essential for their overall health and productivity. It eliminates harmful intestinal parasites and supports egg production, a normal function of laying hens that require nutrients that parasites can otherwise steal. A combination of good care, such as maintaining a clean coop and fresh water, and regular deworming can also help ensure your flock thrives.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, worms can still find their way into your flock. That’s where deworming products come in.

These are specially formulated treatments designed to target and eliminate parasitic worms inside your chickens. They work by attacking the parasites directly, stopping them from stealing the nutrients your chickens need to thrive. Deworming products can also help prevent reinfections when used as part of a regular flock management plan. Until recently, deworming your backyard flock was neither scientifically sound nor easy.

Using an FDA-Approved Deworming Product

For the best safety and efficacy, we recommend using an FDA-approved deworming product. FDA approval guarantees that the product has undergone rigorous scientific testing to ensure its safety, quality, and effectiveness.

Alternative methods and home remedies exist, but choosing an FDA-approved product ensures the highest standards of safety for your chickens and proven effectiveness in
treating parasitic worms. Preapproved studies confirmed that there is no egg or meat withdrawal required, meaning you can continue to enjoy fresh eggs from your flock during
the deworming process. All of this provides chicken owners with peace of mind and a
reliable, science-backed solution for worm management.

Currently, the only FDA-approved chicken dewormer available for home use is SAFEGUARD® AQUASOL (fenbendazole oral suspension). It has been scientifically evaluated and shown to effectively treat and control specific parasites, such as roundworms and cecal worms while being safe for your backyard flock. Previously, deworming products like SAFEGUARD AQUASOL were only available for large commercial flocks. We can now rely on the same quality and effectiveness for our small home flocks in a convenient product size.

How to Deworm Your Chickens

Using SAFE-GUARD AQUASOL to deworm your chickens is simple and effective, making it perfect for new chicken owners. The liquid solution is diluted into your flock’s drinking water for five days straight. Careful measurement is essential – the correct dosage is 0.05mL for every 22 pounds of the flock’s total weight. Monitor your chickens to ensure they are drinking water and behaving normally throughout the process. Then, clean water containers after completing treatment to prevent reinfection. Visit DewormMyChickens.com for a helpful how-to video and a downloadable dosing chart.
However, even with a simple product like SAFE-GUARD AQUASOL, there are some common pitfalls to avoid.

• Ensure you calculate your flock’s total weight accurately to avoid underdosing, which can reduce effectiveness.
• Missing a day of treatment can compromise results. Stick to the five-day schedule.
• Do not mix SAFE-GUARD AQUASOL with other medications or supplements in the water, as this can reduce its potency.
• Failing to clean and disinfect your coop and waterers during and after treatment can lead to reinfection.

A Healthier Flock Starts with You

Caring for your flock goes beyond feeding and shelter—it’s about proactively managing their health to ensure they thrive. By integrating deworming into your regular flock management routine, you can safeguard your chickens’ health, improve egg production, and enjoy peace of mind.

Visit your local farm store or poultry feed provider to pick up SAFE-GUARD AQUASOL, or head to DewormMyChickens.com to find a dealer near you. Your chickens—and their future egg production—will thank you.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Accidental exposure may result in skin and eye irritation and may cause gastrointestinal disturbances and hypersensitivity reactions in humans. No withdrawal period is required when used according to the label. Consult your veterinarian for assistance in the diagnosis, treatment and control of parasitism.