When it comes to worming livestock, there are many different ways to do it. Some folks choose to use chemical-based wormers, while others choose to use natural methods. In the old days, there were only a few ways to worm livestock, and most of them involved chemicals. But today there are several natural methods that you can use to worm livestock safely and effectively…
These “old-fashioned” methods may not be your only way to do it now, but they might be a good alternative or addition to your current deworming regimen.
I’ve often wondered how farmers did lots of things without modern conveniences. In particular, how they took care of the health of their livestock back in the pioneer days.
Well, in this blog post, we will discuss some of the old-fashioned methods for worming livestock that involve using chemicals, as well as some of the newer natural methods that can be used today. We’ll also talk about the benefits and drawbacks of each method so that you can decide which one is right for you. So let’s get started!
Table of Contents:
Worming Livestock the Old Fashioned Way
In the past, worming was done by hand, using a simple hook to remove the worms from the animal’s digestive tract. However, this process was time-consuming and often ineffective. In fact, some of the more popular chemicals like Safeguard or Panacur are said to be ineffective against some parasites like barberpole worm.
Nowadays there are lots of different worming products available that can be used to control worm populations.
When choosing one, consider the type of livestock being treated, as well as the age and health of the animals. Some products are suitable for use on all types of animals, while others are specific to certain species. Plus, some can only be used on younger animals, while others are intended for adult livestock.
How to Tell if Your Livestock Needs to Be Wormed
Fortunately, there are a couple of telltale signs that can help you determine if your livestock need to be wormed.
One of the most common ones. If your animals are not eating as much as usual, it may be a sign that they are infected with worms. Another common symptom is diarrhea. This is caused by the worms robbing the animal of nutrients, leading to weight loss and weakness.
But if you want to be really sure, what you need to do is a fecal egg count test. This will tell you for sure if and what type of parasite your animals have.
While some folks do it twice a year, in the case of sheep, for instance, and others only do it as needed, the message here is you should do it as rarely as possible. Fecal egg count tests and FAMACHA diagnosis are both very reliable and will tell you when the time is right.
What’s the Best Way: Natural or Chemical?
So which is better of the two: using chemicals, or going the natural way?
Well, while chemical wormers are generally more effective, they can also be more expensive. But the main issue with them is, some animals may have an adverse reaction to them.
Parasites can develop a resistance to these chemical over time, too, meaning more will be needed to have an impact- or you may have to switch medications entirely.
Of course, chemicals aren’t always the best for us, humans, either, and they can make their way into our food system when used on animals.
Natural wormers, on the other hand, are typically less expensive and are considered to be much safer for animals (and for us!). Still, they may not be as effective as chemical wormers and may need to be used more often. Worse yet, you may end up using chemicals, eventually…
Chemicals Usage Tips
OK, so first, it’s important to choose the right wormer for your animals. There are many different products on the market (and old-fashioned methods you can choose from!), and not all of them are effective against all types of worms.
You also need to to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, if you’re using chemicals. This will help to ensure that the wormer is used correctly and that the animals receive the full dose.
Lastly, keep an eye on your animals after they’ve been wormed. In some cases, they may experience side effects such as diarrhea or vomiting. If this happens, seek veterinary advice immediately.
Modern Livestock Worming Methods
Today, there are a number of safe and effective methods for controlling worms in livestock, but these aren’t something you should try. This is more of an FIY.
One such is the use of anthelmintics, which are drugs that kill or disable parasites without causing harm to the host animal. Another interesting method of control is through the use of vaccines, which help the animal to build immunity to specific parasites.
How these play out, only time will tell. But they are promising!
Natural Worming Livestock Methods For Each Species
Worming livestock used to be a daunting and time-consuming task. Farmers had to sort through their animals one by one, looking for signs of worms.
Then, they had to administer the appropriate treatment, often using a trial and error approach. Thankfully, modern worming products have made the process much simpler. Still, these techniques and methods can be helpful in our modern day and age.
Goats
There are a variety of old-fashioned methods for worming goats, many of which are still in use today. One popular method is to feed the goats garlic, as the strong smell is thought to repel worms. The jury is out on whether this is effective – but more about this when I discuss sheep dewormers.
Another common approach is to add certain herbs to the goat’s food, such as wormwood or rue. Some goat owners also swear by regular doses of castor oil, which is thought to help expel worms from the intestinal tract.
In addition, many believe that giving goats plenty of access to fresh, clean water helps to keep them healthy and free from worm infections.
Copasure boluses are also thought to be effective in controlling the barber pole worm in goats and sheep, but copper boluses can be dangerous surround sheep (they can’t handle high volumes of copper).
Sheep
Sheep are most commonly affected by roundworms and flukes. Like cattle, roundworms can cause a variety of health problems in sheep, including diarrhea, weight loss, and anemia.
Flukes are less common in sheep than in cattle, but they can still cause liver damage if not treated promptly.
In the past, farmers used a variety of methods to worm their sheep, many of which are no longer considered effective.
One popular method was to feed the sheep large quantities of garlic, which was thought to kill the worms. However, recent studies have shown that garlic doesn’t work all that well.
Another old-fashioned method was to let the sheep graze in areas that had been recently treated with insecticides or herbicides.
However, this approach is now known to be harmful to the sheep, and can lead to a number of health problems.
On my farm, I use a combination of products to keep my sheep healthy. One involves a mixture of garlic, apple cider vinegar, molasses, and B12 supplement.
The apple cider vinegar and garlic promote good intestinal, digestive, and immune health, while the B12 and molasses give the sheep a boost of nutrients.
Occasionally I also supplement with a drench of chemical dewormer, but this solution, what I call my “Bloody Mary Go Go Juice,” tends to be highly effective!
Cows
Farmers who keep cattle should be familiar with the three main types of worms that affect this species: roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes.
Roundworms are the most common type of worm found in cattle, and they can cause a variety of health problems, including diarrhea, weight loss, and anemia.
Tapeworms are less common, but they can also cause serious health problems if left untreated. Flukes are rare in cattle, but they can cause liver damage if not treated promptly.
While there are now many effective chemical wormers on the market, some old-fashioned methods can still be useful in controlling worm populations. One such method is rotational grazing.
By moving your cattle to fresh pasture regularly, you can help break the worm life cycle and reduce the number of worms that cattle are exposed to.
Another solid method is pasture management. Careful selection of grasses and legumes can create a more diverse and productive pasture that is less conducive to worm growth.
Shaklee Basic H (along with another product, Native Lick) is another common old-fashioned treatment for worms in cows, though it can be hard to find.
Some old farmers I know even use a scoop of tobacco to kill worms in cows!
Chickens
Chickens are susceptible to a number of different types of worms, including roundworms, tapeworms, and lungworms.
While there are a number of effective medications available to treat these parasites, some keepers prefer to use more natural methods.
One popular method is to feed them crushed garlic cloves, which can help to kill the worms and boost the immune system.
Another common remedy is to add a small amount of apple cider vinegar to the water supply, as the acidity can help to kill some of the worms.
Some also swear by using raw pumpkin seeds, as the worm larvae are attracted to the seeds and can be easily ingested.
Pigs
To deworm pigs, Fenbendazole and Ivermectin do a good job, if you’re ok with using chemicals. As for natural solutions, things like diatomaceous earth, raw pumpkin seeds and garlic could work, though not as well as medication. You will see these repeated throughout the article because they work on many livestock species.
Ducks
Ducks are similar to chickens in that they can be dewormed with natural remedies like garlic and ACV, along with raw pumpkin seeds.
Another common treatment for duck worms is to dust their feed with diatomaceous earth (DE). This substance is made from the fossilized remains of algae and is sharp-edged, which can help to damage the worms’ exoskeletons.
Feeding your ducks tannin-rich plants may also help. Examples include sainfon, birdsfoot trefoil, and chicory.
Horses
Though there are many modern worming products available for horses, some horse owners still prefer to use old-fashioned methods.
One popular method is to feed them garlic, which is thought to help expel worms. Others add herbs such as mint, rosemary, or fennel to the horse’s feed, which is also believed to have worming properties.
Still, others choose to worm their horses with food-grade DE (diatomaceous earth) because it’s a fully natural product that’s effective in killing a wide range of parasites.
Final Thoughts
Although we no longer have to worry about parasites in our livestock if we are using modern medicines, it’s worth considering the methods used in the old days.
Parasites can wreak havoc on an animal’s health, and modern medicine has done wonders in helping us keep them at bay. Still, there are still some who swear by traditional methods of parasite control, such as worming livestock. Feel free to give them a try, but do check with your vet first or, at the very least, call your local extension office first!
Get your gift and learn things like:
- how to make this really quick pest spray
- how to prevent egg waste
- two cheap automation devices that will make your life easier
Rebekah is a high-school English teacher n New York, where she lives on a 22 acre homestead. She raises and grows chickens, bees, and veggies such as zucchini (among other things).