Keeping on top of the worm burden

Worm burdens present a constant challenge to all poultry producers, but especially those with free-range systems, and without a robust worming programme, both profitability and bird welfare levels can be significantly reduced.

One Noble Foods producer, who has successfully managed his flock’s worm burden since first diversifying to free-range egg production from a purely arable enterprise, is Lincolnshire based farmer, James Gent.

“We currently have a flock of 62,000 birds in two different systems, split across five sheds. Half the birds are on a more modern Big Dutchman multitier system throughout two sheds, while the remaining three sheds are a flat deck system with Big Dutchman nests,” he says.

“We’ve produced for Noble Foods for over 20 years now, and Flubenvet™ has formed part of our worming strategy since day one, helping birds to reach their performance potential and meet our targets. Back then Flubenvet was the only suitable treatment available, and while there are now a few alternatives on the market, there’s nothing that matches its efficacy in my opinion,” says James. He explains that his birds are treated with the product every six to eight weeks as part of a robust preventive programme that tackles all major worm species, at all life stages. Treating regularly stops the problem before birds show visible clinical symptoms and performance is impacted. “Every packer wants to be supplied with good eggs and investing in a quality wormer that does what it says on the tin is worth it when you’re rewarded for producing quality eggs.”

For James, it is very important that the worming process is as streamlined and easy as possible, which is why he values the fact that Flubenvet is administered via the feed. “While we’re always careful not to change too many things at once to avoid stress, the medicated feed comes straight from the feed supplier and is fed as normal, so we have total peace of mind,” he says. “It would be a complete nightmare for us to administer wormer via the water lines, which are always very busy. We’re often putting cleaner, vaccines or a pH corrector through so something else to fit in just wouldn’t work for us.”

On top of the worming programme, James employs strict management protocols as part of an integrated approach to tackling both worm and other disease challenge. “We implement everything we can to protect the birds from health threats. The sheds are kept as clean as possible, we mow and harrow the pasture and lime the sides of the sheds while birds are out. Then during the turnaround period the sheds are thoroughly cleaned out,” he says.

Four major worm threats

Benefits of routine worming

Why choose Flubenvet⁶