Deworming birds regularly is an essential part of keeping them healthy and free from internal parasites. While there are many chemical dewormers available, many bird owners prefer to use natural options that are safer and don’t carry the same risks of side effects.
Why is deworming important for birds?
All birds are susceptible to parasites like worms. Worm infestations can cause a variety of health issues including:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Poor growth in young birds
- Egg-binding or reduced egg production
- Feather plucking
- Anemia
- In severe cases, death
Birds pick up worms like tapeworms, roundworms, and gapeworms either directly from contaminated soil or food, or indirectly by eating earthworms or other infected prey animals. Backyard chickens are especially prone to gapeworm infestations.
Some birds like pigeons and parrots can also get various feather and air sac mites that behave like worms and require deworming medications. Internal parasites reproduce rapidly, so infestations can quickly get out of control.
That’s why it’s recommended to deworm most pet birds every 3-6 months as a preventative measure. More frequent deworming may be needed for birds with weaker immune systems or those showing signs of a current worm problem.
Natural dewormer options
There are several natural ingredients that have been shown to be effective at expelling worms and parasites from a bird’s body. These include:
Garlic
Garlic contains the antioxidant allicin which has broad-spectrum anti-parasitic properties. The strong odor and taste of garlic essentially fumigates the bird’s digestive tract to make it inhospitable to worms.
Chopped raw garlic can be fed directly to larger birds. For smaller birds, you can mix garlic powder into their regular food. Give 1⁄4 teaspoon of garlic per pound of bird body weight daily for a minimum of 7 days.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds contain a compound called cucurbitacin that paralyzes worms so they detach from the intestinal lining and can be passed out of the body. You can feed dried, roasted pumpkin seeds to your birds whole or crushed into powder.
Add 1-2 teaspoons of seeds per pound of body weight to your bird’s food every day for 1-2 weeks.
Papaya
Unripe papaya fruit contains papain, a proteolytic enzyme that essentially digests the exoskeletons of worms. It also alters the intestinal environment to prevent re-infection.
Chop ripe papaya into small pieces and feed 2-3 tablespoons per pound of body weight daily for a week.
Pineapple
Like papaya, fresh pineapple also contains digestive enzymes like bromelain that are effective worm killers. Feed chopped pineapple in the same dosages as papaya.
Carrots
Carrots add a healthy dose of fiber to a bird’s diet, which can help flush worms out of their system. Grate raw carrots and mix them into your bird’s regular food for 1-2 weeks.
Coconut oil
The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil disrupt the lipid membranes on parasite eggs and larvae, killing them. Mix 1⁄2 to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil per pound of body weight into foods for at least 7 days.
Apple cider vinegar
Unpasteurized apple cider vinegar creates an acidic gut environment that makes it harder for worms to thrive. Add 1-2 teaspoons per pint of drinking water or directly into your bird’s food.
Wormwood
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) contains deworming compounds like absinthin and thujone. It has traditionally been used to combat intestinal worm infections. Add a few small sprigs to your bird’s water or food for 1-2 weeks.
Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is composed of tiny fossilized diatoms that have razor-sharp edges. It abrades the waxy cuticles of parasites and kills them by dehydrating the worms. Food-grade DE is safe for birds when used properly.
Make sure to use food-grade DE only. Mix 1-2% into your bird’s feed for 2 weeks at most. Stop giving DE at least 1 week before using other dewormers to avoid absorption issues.
Choosing the right natural dewormer
When deciding which natural dewormer to use for your bird, consider the following factors:
- Type of worms – Certain dewormers are more effective for specific species of worms. For example, garlic works especially well against gapeworms.
- Method of administration – Some options can be fed directly, while others need to be mixed into food or water.
- Taste – Birds are more likely to accept remedies with more palatable flavors.
- Other observed symptoms – Target additional symptoms like diarrhea or respiratory infection.
- Cost – Bulk foods like raw garlic and carrots tend to be cheaper than supplement blends.
- Presence of eggs/chicks – Use gentler dewormers if breeding birds.
- Other medications – Ensure there are no negative interactions with other drugs.
Rotating between a few different natural anthelmintics is ideal to target a wider range of parasites. For best results, provide the deworming supplement for 1-2 weeks, then retest droppings 2-3 weeks later to check for worm eggs. Repeat if worms persist.
When to use chemical dewormers
While natural dewormers can be effective for light to moderate worm burdens, they may not completely eliminate heavy parasite infections. It’s a good idea to take a fecal sample to your avian vet 1-2 times a year to check for worms.
If worm loads are exceptionally high or your bird is very weak or underweight, a chemical dewormer medication may be necessary. Common bird dewormers include ivermectin, fenbendazole, piperazine, praziquantel, and pyrantel pamoate. These are stronger and faster-acting than natural options.
Chemical anthelmintics should really only be used under a vet’s guidance to avoid overdose and ensure proper follow-up. The risks associated with these drugs also make them less ideal for routine deworming in otherwise healthy birds.
Natural deworming tips
Aside from using herbal dewormers, you can also reduce your bird’s parasite load through everyday management techniques like:
- Keep coops, aviaries, and cages clean
- Disinfect perches and toys
- Remove wet litter and droppings daily
- Use clean food and water dishes
- Quarantine new birds before introducing them
- Control intermediate hosts like slugs and snails
- Rotate pens and runs to prevent buildup
- Avoid overcrowding
- Promote immunity with proper nutrition
- Reduce stress
- Treat birds simultaneously for maximum effectiveness
Are natural dewormers safe?
When used correctly, all of the natural antiparasitic foods and herbs recommended in this article are generally safe for birds. They have a wide margin of safety since they are either foods or botanicals birds could normally encounter and consume.
That being said, it’s still important to carefully follow dosage guidelines and monitor your birds for any signs of intolerance like appetite or behavior changes. Discontinue use if any side effects are observed.
Natural dewormers should be safe for all ages of birds including chicks older than 3 weeks. As always, check with your avian vet if you have any concerns about using a particular natural remedy with your flock.
Conclusion
Regular deworming is crucial to keep backyard and pet birds healthy and thriving. Using natural anthelmintic foods and herbs on a preventative basis allows bird owners to control parasites without the harshness of chemical medications.
Raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, papaya, carrots, apple cider vinegar, and other natural ingredients can be fed according to dosage guidelines for 1-2 weeks at a time to safely eliminate worms. Be sure to repeat treatment as needed if follow-up fecal tests confirm worms are still present.
While natural dewormers take longer to work and may not completely clear heavy parasite burdens, they are gentler on both the birds and the environment compared to chemical dewormers. In most cases, natural options are suitable for routine maintenance deworming in otherwise healthy flocks.
By regularly deworming your birds using these safe, natural ingredients, you can help your birds live worm-free and healthy lives.