Backyard chicken owners can now administer a dewormer to their feathered animals thanks to a new home-use treatment. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved SAFE-GUARD AQUASOL (fenbendazole oral suspension) for backyard chicken flocks. It is the first FDA-approved dewormer specifically designed for home use in chickens. Manufactured by Merck Animal Health, SAFE-GUARD AQUASOL treats and controls adult Ascaridia galli in broiler and replacement chickens, as well as Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarium in breeding chickens and laying hens. It is administered orally by mixing the prescribed dose into drinking water for five consecutive days. “Chicken flocks of any size can be affected by intestinal parasites, leading to animal welfare concerns and decreased production efficiency,” says Blayne Mozisek, DVM, livestock insights and outcomes for Merck Animal Health, adding the newly approved drug “effectively treats common intestinal parasites in the average-sized backyard flock with the added benefit of no meat or egg withdrawal.” The drug will be offered in a 3 mL size and for purchase starting January 2025. For more information, visit the Merck Animal Health website.
