We developed this guide on How to Deworm Pigs Naturally to help offer a multifaceted approach to deworming your pigs. Unfortunately, the broad use of Commercial Chemical Dewormers (Ivermectin and Fenbendazole) will only be effective for a short period of time before parasites build resistances. Having a multifaceted approach to parasite control is crucial for every small farm.
This guide will provide affordable homeopathic antiparasitic agents like diatomaceous earth, edible roots and herbs making deworming pigs naturally feasible. We will also overview optimal rotational grazing principles and warning sign monitoring techniques prioritizing prevention.
Feel free to reference the table of contents outline above to navigate directly to remedies matching current needs or read sequentially to gain comprehensive understanding.
Understanding Parasites in Pigs
Pigs become infected with a myriad internal parasites including roundworms, hookworms, strongyles and tapeworms by continually rooting through vegetation, feces and soil seeking feed.
Domestic swine behaviors like snuffling enthusiastically through rich dark mud and composting waste heighten exposure risks to parasitic contamination from lands stewarding pathogen life stages. While not all organisms prompt illness immediately, compound loads accumulate causing havoc to developing livestock.
Knowing specific worm types plaguing regional grazing lands better equips farmers safeguarding herds through proactive monitoring and integrated deterrent measures beyond singular chemical interventions no longer functioning alone against adaptive, resistant worms in the era of antimicrobial overuse.
Transitioning focus towards fortifying herd health through contamination prevention rather than medication alone remains the priority for sustainable operations.
How Can You Prevent Worm Loads in Pigs?
The best prevention method for mitigating worm loads is a diligent rotational grazing pattern. Alternating pig access between pasture quadrants on fixed schedules significantly disrupts parasite growth cycles dependent on environmentally embedded stages.
By shifting livestock between previously rested grazing zones before new larvae fully incubate inside prior hosts and reinfect the herd, farmers arm ourselves with nature’s defenses breaking contagious links. Adherence to tenant rotations may determine infection intensities for the season. We detail optimal rhythmic shifting guidance next.
What is the Role of Rotational Grazing for Parasite Control?
Rotational grazing breaks up the lifecycle of parasite/host contact. Once hatched 3 of the major parasites in swine need direct contact with a pig within 60 days before dying.
Parasites unfortunately can build up resistances to chemical dewormers such as Ivermectin (Noromectin, Ivermax, Agrimectin etc.) and fenbendazole (Safeguard) . Rotational grazing is a critical aspect to your husbandry plan as this is the best way to prevent those resistances.
A great strategy is dividing your land into as many paddocks as realistically possible and creating a schedule around that 60 day window. We recommend planning for a 75 day window(when possible) to be extra safe.
For example if you have 5 paddocks you want to schedule out a herd move every 15 days. Once the 15 day window is up, you want to ensure no animal touches that land for the next 75 days. This allows enough time for any eggs to hatch and be without a host for long enough time for most of them to die off.
Now that you’ve been equipped with preventative grazing plans, lets explore some supplemental natural remedies enlisting food as medicine reducing reliance solely on commercial dewormers.
9 Natural Remedies for Deworming Pigs
Thyme
Thyme’s primary compound thymol disrupts cell structures and energetics in worms on contact, ideal steeped concentrated in water feeds.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm’s antiviral and antibacterial volatile oils battle worms while soothing stressed digestive tracts when continually supplemented dried/fresh.
Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflower prompts pigs’ immune responses to identify and target parasitic infections when adequate doses provided minced in feeds.
Black Tea
Black tea’s parasiticidal tannins bind to worm digestive tract linings obstructing ability to absorb nutrients from hosts when continually drank, starving them.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth’s sharp silicate mineral shells physically shred internal worm endo/exoskeletons when fed long-term around 2% volume daily rations.
Pumpkins
Raw crushed pumpkin seeds contain cucurbitacins, chemically categorized Tetracyclic Triterpenes toxic to multiple parasitic worms but must be eaten smashed directly.
Black Walnuts
Black walnuts contain juglone, exhibiting reputed natural wormer properties but high levels prove toxic for livestock thus dosage requirements should derive from veterinary guidance.
Garlic
Garlic’s bioactive allicin compounds permeate cell membranes delivering free radical parasitical damage lethal to many nematode worms when fed crushed/minced at least weekly.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegars promote gut probiotic balance while altering acidic environments preventing eggs/larvae growth combined with concentrated feeds.
Deworming Schedule and Practices
Adhere to strategic rotational worming models targeting both susceptible adults and higher-risk youths transitioning environments.
All pigs require regular proactive mass treatment minimizing infectious windows especially amid seasonal shifts and reproduction introducing newcomers vulnerable to heavy infestations if left unaddressed perpetuating contagion.
Weanlings and adults deserve distinct sustained attention. Review strategic models accounting for unique risk factors across lifespans and settings below.
When to Deworm Pigs?
Weaned pigs should undergo initial deworming immediately after separating from mothers then follow-up precisely one month later safeguarding against maturing larvae passed but not detectable initially.
Adults also require biannual treatments in spring and fall corresponding with temperature shifts stimulating evolutionary growth cycles. Monitor symptoms year-round and address outliers displaying concerning signs immediately rather than waiting for schedules as severe cases advance rapidly. Customize rhythms to regional seasonal worm trends.
How Often Do Pigs Need to be Wormed?
- Weaned Piglets – Should undergo a secondary deworming 30 days after initial separation treatment then regularly every 6 months using alternating chemical and natural vermifuges.
- Adult Pigs – Require deworming every 6 months in autumn and spring subsequently with the same chemical/organic rotation prioritizing variety preventing resistance. Schedule earlier secondary worming following any outbreaks.
