There are many different types of dewormers available on the market, but not all of them are safe for use around livestock. In fact, some dewormers can be toxic to animals if they are not used properly. For this reason, it is important to choose a natural dewormer that is specifically designed for use with livestock. Some of the best natural dewormers for livestock include Diatomaceous earth, Neem oil and Garlic.
Diatomaceous earth is a safe and effective way to kill worms and other pests, and it can be easily applied to animal bedding or feed. Neem oil is another natural dewormer that is safe for use around livestock, and it has the added benefit of repelling insects. Garlic is also effective at killing worms, and it can be fed to animals fresh or in supplement form. When choosing a natural dewormer for livestock, it is important to consider the size and type of animal as well as the environment in which they live.
Internal parasites are something found in every natural ecosystem, and usually, animals who have parasites will simply emit them in their faeces, where they then dry out in the sun before they can contaminate another animal.
However, animals who are left on the same pasture without adequate rest will develop parasite loads. This is significantly more likely when the following conditions are present:
- Humid conditions
- Animals are young or have weakened immune systems
- Animals are lactating or pregnant
The type of parasite that might affect your animals will vary depending on the species that you are raising. Here’s some more information that is species-specific to help you in your research: Chicken parasites, Cow parasites, Sheep and Goat parasites and Pig parasites.
Tips for Preventing Worms
Pasture Management: Try to avoid overgrazing or overstocking your paddocks, pens, and pastures – rotate your animals whenever you can and try to keep things clean. A clean pasture is technically one that hasn’t been grazed for a minimum of six months. Most worm larvae can crawl up a plant only about one or two inches from the ground. Therefore, livestock that are grazing pasture that is too short will increase the likelihood and quantity of the parasite larvae they eat. When the weather is wet, the parasites can climb higher, too.
Following Best Feeding Practices: Avoid feeding your animals directly on the ground. Try to clean up any spilt grain, too, so that your animals aren’t tempted to graze on the soil – where they will be gobbling up worm eggs, too.
You should also try, whenever possible, to prevent animals like goats from sleeping or playing in their feeders, as this can spread parasites and other bacteria from the ground up into the areas where they are most likely to eat them.
Species Diversity: Try to maintain a diverse grazing pattern. Small ruminants like goats and sheep can benefit from grazing after cattle, who are able to “clean” pasture for sheep by ingesting larvae that will be damaging to the smaller ruminants. Cattle do not share the same species of parasites as goats and sheep. Allowing poultry like chickens to graze after your livestock can also help clean up pastures. They will tear apart piles of manure, looking for worm and fly larvae. They’ll either eat it or expose it to sunlight, which will dry it out and destroy the larvae and eggs. You can graze chickens in chicken tractors or allow them to free-range behind your ruminants.
Influencing Genetics: An animal’s resistance to certain types of parasites is determined, by and large, by his genetics. You may be able to influence a herd or flock’s susceptibility to parasites by rethinking your bloodlines.
Best Natural Livestock Dewormers
Garlic: Garlic has powerful antibacterial qualities and helps remove parasites in the gastrointestinal tract. It also helps to boost the immune system, so it can improve the ability of your animals’ bodies to reject parasites as well as prevent new infestations.
Diatomaceous Earth: Diatomaceous earth is a fine powder that is made out of the crushed skeletons of fossilized aquatic organisms. It’s safe to give to your animals, and we’ve had some success mixing it into the feed of our animals.
Copasure Boluses: Copasure Boluses contain copper oxide wire particles. These can help control barber pole worms in goats and sheep – but you need to be very careful in using them around sheep. In fact, we’ve never attempted this method of parasite control because sheep are very prone to copper toxicity and this can cause serious problems in your flock. It may or may not be worth the gamble, depending on how dire your situation is.
Tannin-Rich Plants: There are certain plants that contain compounds called tannins. These tannins can help reduce worms in the digestive tract of a ruminant. Consider planting them if you’re laying down fresh pasture.
A couple of options are sainfon, dock, birdsfoot trefoil, willow, burdock, plantain, and chicory. This drought-tolerant perennial is a great choice for soils with low pH, low humidity, and even low fertility. It can have a somewhat bitter taste, but it can help inhibit a worm infestation.
Shaklee Basic H: Basic H is a germicide that can be added to drinking water. It should be added six times per year. It’s all-natural and made out of water, corn, coconut, xanthan gum, and biodegradable preservatives.
Pumpkin Seeds: Some herbalists have suggested that pumpkin seeds can be effective dewormers against intestinal parasites, like tapeworms. This is because pumpkin seeds contain the amino acid cucurbits, which both paralyze and eliminate worms from the gastrointestinal tract.
Ginger: Ginger is a common herbal remedy and is often used to treat digestive upset in humans. There’s limited evidence to suggest that ginger can help clear parasites in livestock, but it’s a good option if you are willing to experiment with it. Add it to your animals’ feed about once a week.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is everybody’s favourite natural remedy. It can be effective for all kinds of livestock, but in a ruminant, it’s especially important. It ferments fibre to produce quick energy and balance the pH in the digestive tract. Consider giving apple cider vinegar with water or with a drench gun.
Native Lick: Native Lick contains five prehistoric sea bed minerals and it can help treat parasites like coccidiosis and cryptosporidium.
Grazier’s Essentials: Grazier’s Essentials are formulas that can be fed directly to your animals or offered free choice. They contain things like probiotics, prebiotics, kelp, fat, enzymes, vitamins, Dyna-Min, and trace elements like zinc, selenium, iron, and calcium.
Aqua-Nox Stock Saver: This is a natural treatment that is considered organically acceptable. You can use it to help treat parasite problems as well as to preserve digestive health. Add an ounce to 100 gallons of water or drench at a dose of 60 cc per 150 pounds of animal.
Herbal Dewormers: There are quite a few herbal remedies you can try if your livestock is suffering from some kind of parasite infestation. These tend to work much better as a preventative measure, but some herbs to consider include: Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary and Mint. These tend to help limit the number of pests that infiltrate your livestock – but again, they don’t always work when used as the sole method of treatment.
The exact herbal remedies that will work best for your flock will vary depending on whether you are raising chickens, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, or another type of livestock – make sure you do your research to find out what your specific species will need.
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