Can you eat eggs from a chicken with worms

In this brief guide, we will address the query, “can you eat eggs from a chicken with worms?” We will also discuss what causes worms in chickens, and what effects can cause on human health.

Can you eat eggs from a chicken with worms?

Yes, according to experts, you can safely consume eggs after the hens have been wormed with any deworming medication, which is safe as these medications do not get inside the chicken eggs.

But according to the medication that was used to deworm the hens, a withdrawal period should take place before consuming eggs safely, the exact time should be pointed out on the label of the product.

Why do chickens get worms?

Chickens can commonly be infected with worms because of the housing, husbandry, and cleaning methods that are being used. The spreading of worms can happen so easily when chickens that scratch and peck at the soil can consume worms, bugs, and other hosts.

If your chickens eat insects that can carry worm eggs, then they become infected, some of the species that can spread this type of worms are:

  • Earthworms
  • Slug
  • Snail
  • Grasshopper
  • Flies

What kind of worms can affect chicken?

Chicken can be infected with several types of worms, but backyard chickens are usually infected with five types of worms, which are:

  • Roundworms. Very popular in backyard poultry, they can be as long as a half to three inches long with an eighth of an inch wide. If the infection is not contained, egg production may be affected. They can cause intestinal obstruction in immunosuppressed chicken leading to lethal consequences.
  • Capillary worms. The eggs of this type of worm can be found in the lining of the intestines. Inflammation of the crop tissue and injuries in the intestinal tract are the most common symptoms. If the infection is severe, it can be fatal.
  • Cecal worms. They are found in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Their potential danger comes from the carrying of other agents that cause blackhead disease that can be lethal for turkey. 
  • Tapeworms. They live mainly in the intestinal tract, they exhibit a flattened ribbon shape. Tapeworms can be as large as more than five inches. They can cause severe emaciation.
  • Gapeworms. As they are found in the trachea and the respiratory tree, when they reach a certain length they can lead to blocking of the trachea, causing the inability to breathe.

What symptoms can indicate a worm infection?

Type of wormsSymptoms



Capillary worms

Worms that look like hair in the crop and upper intestines.
Inflammatory masses in the oral cavity.
Weight loss.
Death.



Cecal worms

Weakness.
Weight loss.
Small worms in the ceca.




Roundworms

Weight loss.
Diarrhea.
Long worms in the intestine.
Death.


Tapeworms

Long, flatworms in the intestine.
Slow growth.
Weakness.



Gapeworms

Red worms in the trachea.
Coughing.
Gasping.

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What kind of medication is used to get rid of worms in chickens?

When trying to get rid of worms in chicken, it is necessary that you know the type of worms that has infected your chicken, in order to use the proper medication for it. Some symptoms may indicate the nature of the worm, but if you are not able to recognize it, go to the vet to get a fecal analysis.

Some of the most common medications to treat poultry worms are:

  • Fenbendazole. It is used to defeat roundworms, cecal worms, and gapeworms. A withdrawal time of 14 days is suggested.
  • Ivermectin. Can be applied topically or orally. It is used to treat roundworms, gapeworms, and some other external parasites.
  • Eprinomectin. It is applied topically to defeat roundworms, gapeworms, and other external parasites. It can be administered twice a year, or more when necessary.
  • Albendazole. It is administered orally to treat infection of tapeworms, roundworms, capillary worms, cecal worms, and gapeworms. 14 days is the recommended withdrawal time.

What is a withdrawal period?

Whenever you read “withdrawal period” you may ask what does that even mean? Well, a withdrawal period is the minimum amount of days needed to pass to assure that the remains of whatever the drug is are safe for human consumption.

Some medications used to defeat worms in poultry may not include a specific withdrawal period, which means that most medications are safe for human consumption as they do not even get into the egg.

How can you prevent worms in chickens?

Some basic measures to minimize the risk of worm infection are:

  • Keep the coop clean and surrounding areas.
  • Look for good biosecurity measures.
  • If it is possible, move your poultry to another space that has not been occupied by chickens.

Other FAQs about Eggs that you may be interested in.

Can you eat eggs with Sjogren’s syndrome

Should hard-boiled eggs be refrigerated

Is it safe to eat emulsified eggs?

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we have addressed the query, “can you eat eggs from a chicken with worms?” We have also discussed other queries related to the subject at hand. 

Hope you found this blog useful. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Citations

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/livestock/animal-welfare/pests-diseases-disorders/worm-parasites#:~:text=Worms%20are%20usually%20transmitted%20from,can%20also%20spread%20parasitic%20worms.

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