5 Signs Your Chickens Have Worms

🐔 5 Signs Your Chickens Have Worms (And What to Do About It)

Healthy chickens mean a happy flock — and whether you raise them for eggs or as backyard companions, keeping them parasite-free is essential.
One of the most common (and often overlooked) threats to your flock’s health is intestinal worms. These internal parasites silently rob your chickens of nutrients, weaken their immune systems, and lower egg production.

If left untreated, worms can spread quickly and severely damage your flock’s health. In this guide, we’ll walk through five key signs your chickens might have worms, and how to prevent and treat them naturally.

1️⃣ Sudden Weight Loss or Poor Growth

One of the earliest clues that something’s wrong is unexplained weight loss.

You might notice your chickens look thinner, less filled out around the breast, or just generally “off.” Worms compete for nutrients inside your chicken’s digestive system, meaning your birds eat plenty — but gain little.

Watch for:

A sharp or visible keel bone (breastbone)
Dull feathers or poor feather growth
Birds that are always hungry but still thin

If several chickens in your flock are losing weight, it’s a red flag that internal parasites could be the cause.

2️⃣ Pale Combs and Wattles (Anemia)

Healthy hens usually have bright red combs and wattles — it’s a sign of good circulation and oxygen flow. When chickens are infested with worms, they can become anemic due to nutrient and blood loss.

Key warning signs:

Pale pink or even whitish combs and wattles
Low energy, droopy posture
Less interest in food or water
Reduced egg-laying activity

Severe anemia can make hens more vulnerable to other infections. If you notice pale combs, act quickly — worms could be draining your flock’s vitality.

3️⃣ Changes in Droppings (and Sometimes Visible Worms)

Yes, your chickens’ droppings tell a story — and when worms are present, it’s often obvious.

Look for these signs in droppings:

Loose, watery, or foamy poop
Slimy or mucus-covered droppings
Undigested feed visible
Worms or white thread-like strands in the stool

Roundworms often appear like tiny white spaghetti strands, while tapeworms may show up as small white rice-like segments.

If you’re unsure, you can collect a fresh sample and have it tested by a vet or poultry lab for a fecal egg count. Early testing helps identify which worms are present and how severe the infestation is.

4️⃣ Drop in Egg Production and Egg Quality

When chickens are battling internal parasites, their bodies redirect energy from egg production to fighting infection. The result? Fewer and lower-quality eggs.

Common egg changes caused by worms:

Sudden decrease in daily egg numbers
Smaller or misshapen eggs
Pale yolks or weak shells
Inconsistent laying patterns

If your flock’s diet hasn’t changed but egg output drops, worms may be the hidden cause. Always keep an eye on your egg records — even small fluctuations can reveal early trouble.

5️⃣ Coughing, Gasping, or “Gaping” (Respiratory Worms)

Not all worms live in the gut — gapeworms target the respiratory tract, lodging themselves in the trachea (windpipe).

Signs of gapeworm infection:

Gasping or “gaping” — stretching the neck and opening the beak to breathe
Gurgling or coughing sounds
Head shaking or sneezing
Wheezing and labored breathing

Gapeworms are dangerous because they can block the airway, especially in younger birds. Immediate treatment is crucial.

🩺 Why Worms Are Dangerous for Your Flock

Even a mild worm load can:

Steal nutrients from your chickens’ diet
Cause weakness, fatigue, and reduced growth
Lower resistance to other diseases
Lead to intestinal blockages in severe cases
Decrease fertility and egg output

Worm infestations spread quickly through contaminated droppings, soil, and even insects like earthworms and beetles — so one infected chicken can affect the whole flock.

🧼 How to Prevent Worms in Chickens

The good news? Worm problems can be prevented with good coop hygiene, proper rotation, and natural deworming habits.

1. Keep the Coop Clean:
Remove droppings regularly, replace wet litter, and disinfect feeders and waterers weekly.

2. Rotate Pasture or Runs:
If your chickens free-range, rotate them to new areas every few weeks. Worm eggs survive in soil for long periods.

3. Avoid Overcrowding:
Too many birds in one space increases droppings buildup — and parasite exposure.

4. Use Natural Preventatives:
Feed supplements with herbs like garlic, cayenne, oregano, pumpkin seeds, and diatomaceous earth can help naturally deter worms and support gut health.

5. Regular Health Checks:
Weigh birds, observe their droppings, and track egg production. Spotting small changes early helps stop big problems later.

🌿 Natural Treatment: A Safer Way to Deworm

When you suspect worms, many chicken owners reach for chemical dewormers — but these often require egg withdrawal periods and can build parasite resistance over time.

That’s why more flock keepers now use natural dewormers that safely cleanse the gut while supporting digestion and immunity.

✨ Natural Graze Chicken Dewormer
Formulated with herbs like garlic, neem, and other plant-based ingredients, this all-natural dewormer supports:

A cleaner digestive tract
Improved nutrient absorption
Healthier, stronger hens
Safe, residue-free eggs

💚 No harsh chemicals. No withdrawal time. 100% natural protection.

👉 Try it today: Shop - naturalgraze.com/
Your flock deserves natural, long-term health — from the inside out.