Ivermectin for Chickens

Livestock · Gallus gallus domesticus · typical adult weight 0.50–5.00 kg

Ivermectin is dosed at 0.2–0.4 mg/kg PO Once; repeat in 10-14 days in chickens, per FARAD Withdrawal Guidelines. Ivermectin is used in chickens for Nematodes, external parasites. Routes documented in chickens: PO. A typical adult chicken weighs 0.50–5.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ivermectin in chickens, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Ivomec, Heartgard

Contraindicated in Tortoise / Turtle

Tortoise / Turtle: Ivermectin causes fatal toxicosis in chelonians at doses other reptiles tolerateChelonians are far more sensitive than lizards and snakes: doses routine elsewhere in reptile practice have produced paralysis and death in turtles and tortoises. Do not use ivermectin in chelonians; use fenbendazole or another alternative. (The cited study did find 0.05 mg/kg IM tolerated in red-footed tortoises when not repeated inside 7 days, so the hazard is dose- and interval-dependent rather than absolute — but that margin is far too narrow to work to in a clinical setting.)

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	0.2–0.4 mg/kg	Once; repeat in 10-14 days	1-2 doses	Nematodes, external parasites	Weak	FARAD Withdrawal Guidelines

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Mechanism of action

Potentiates glutamate-gated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of parasites.

Side effects & warnings

TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.

Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for chickens may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Ivermectin for Chickens?

Ivermectin dose range in chickens, with cited source references: PO 0.2–0.4 mg/kg Once; repeat in 10-14 days. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Ivermectin administered in Chickens?

Documented routes for Ivermectin in chickens: PO.

How long is Ivermectin given in Chickens?

Cited course lengths for Ivermectin in chickens include: 1-2 doses. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.

What conditions does Ivermectin treat in Chickens?

Ivermectin is indicated in chickens for: Nematodes, external parasites.

What are the side effects of Ivermectin in Chickens?

These are general warnings for Ivermectin across species; consult the chicken dosing table above for species-specific guidance. TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.

Other Antiparasitic drugs with chicken dosing

Amprolium Clopidol Fenbendazole Halofuginone Lasalocid Maduramicin Monensin Narasin Nicarbazin Robenidine (Livestock)Salinomycin Semduramicin

Ivermectin dosing in other species

Cattle Goats Sheep Swine Turkeys African Grey Parrots African Pygmy Hedgehogs Ball Pythons

See all species for Ivermectin See all drugs for Chickens

Why a species-specific page? Ivermectin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in chickens — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.