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Home » Blog » De-Worming Pigs Naturally (When, How & Frequency)

De-Worming Pigs Naturally (When, How & Frequency)

Posted June 7, 2023
in Farm Animals, Homesteading, Pigs

By Kevin Pritchett

It’s no surprise that pigs can get worms and other common parasites. Learn the symptoms and natural methods for worming pigs to produce the healthiest meat.

Common dewormers for pigs include Ivermectin and Fenbendazole. Brand name Ivomec or Noromectin treats internal and external parasites according to your pigs’ body weight (in pounds). You can purchase these medications at local feed stores.

But, before all these medicines existed, what did old-time hog farmers use to deworm their pigs? Read on to learn about two different ways to deworm your pigs naturally.

Why Pigs Get Worms

Once you have built your DIY pig shelter and purchased your piglets, you’ll be on your journey to raising your own delicious and healthy pork. Soon you can learn how to butcher a pig and how to prepare a whole hog pig roast.

Pigs add a quirky and loveable presence to the farm. They run, play, laze around in the shade, and love to come running when you call them. They root around in the soil, eating and playing in their environment.

Because of this rooting around, if parasites are present in a pig’s enclosure, then the pig will definitely be exposed. Deworming pigs is just one part of raising pigs. If you plan to farrow pigs on the farm, then deworming regularly becomes even more critical.

It’s important to note that we are not veterinarians, and this post is not intended to diagnose or treat but is for informational purposes only. Please contact your animal care professional before introducing new practices into your animal’s wellness routine.

Common Worms in Pigs

Large Roundworms – These white to light beige tubular worms can grow 10-12 inches. They remain the most common parasite to infect pigs. A roundworm infection can cause milk spots on the liver, impaction, respiratory issues, and a generally unhealthy pig. The eggs of large roundworms can survive for a long time on the ground, making reinfection possible.
Whipworms – 2-2 ½ inches in length, these worms attach to the gut lining and can cause blood loss. Whipworms can survive long periods on the ground like roundworms.
Lungworms – Lungworms cluster together in the respiratory tract of pigs. Pigs will cough up the lungworms, swallow them, and then pass them on in their feces. Lungworms cause wet coughing from a respiratory infection that can lead to pneumonia.
Nodular Worms – Only 1-2 centimeters long; these small worms commonly infect pigs when they are three months or older. An infected pig will look unhealthy and may have scours. Mothers can pass this parasite to their babies.
Kidneyworms – These tiny black and white worms, commonly found in the fat around the kidney, can also infect a pig’s liver, lungs, or spleen. Pigs pass these worms through their urine, they lay eggs in the soil, and then another pig comes along and ingests them.
Threadworms – These very tiny worms commonly infect baby pigs. They can be present in pigs as young as four days old. Mother pigs pass these parasites through colostrum, meaning that piglets can contract threadworms at their first feeding. Threadworms cause scours and dehydration.

Symptoms of Pigs With Worms

We deworm our pigs even though they are healthy and show no signs of worms. Our pigs do not contract parasite loads because we give them plenty of space and fresh pasture. They live in a clean environment.

But, if you notice the following symptoms in your pigs, it is time to deworm them. Try natural remedies if possible. If your pig is very sick, consult with a vet. You may want to use dewormer medications in severe situations.

Slow Weight Gain – Parasites can irritate the intestinal tracts of pigs, leading to impaction or indigestion and a lack of appetite. Plus, the hog becomes undernourished because the parasites compete for nutrition. All of this leads to insufficient weight gain.
Scouring – Scours can present with parasite loads, especially in young pigs.
Poor Feed Conversion – Less nutrition gets to the hog because the parasites compete for nutrition, again leading to a lack of weight gain even though the pig eats regularly.
Coughing – Some worms attach to the lungs, causing a cough. This can lead to respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia.
Unhealthy Looking – A hog with untreated worms will show signs of lethargy, hunch over, have dry skin, and seem droopy. They could become anemic and look pale.
Worms in Feces – If you examine the feces of your pig, you may see worms. They look like white strings in the feces.

A dog touching it's nose to a piglet's nose.

When to Start Worming Pigs

Since certain worms can infect piglets, pigs should be dewormed at about 6 to 8 weeks of age. Caring for growing pigs includes starting them off right by giving proper care and nutrition, which includes regularly worming pigs.

How Often Do Pigs Need to Be Wormed

Pigs can contract worms at nearly all stages of their life cycle. Keeping a deworming schedule spread throughout the growth of your pig can help reduce the risks of your pig developing worms.

Some farmers recommend deworming every 30 days, and others suggest deworming 2 to 3 times in the pig’s life when raising pork (about every six months). You sure don’t want to eat pork infected with parasites!

You should also deworm pregnant sows before farrowing. At the latest, deworm pregnant gilts or sows 14 days before the due date.

Pro Tip: When using Ivermectin or other commercially prepared dewormers, the recommended withdrawal period before slaughter is at least 18 days. But, when you deworm naturally, you do not need to be concerned about any residual dewormer in the pig’s system.

Pumpkin seeds scooped out of a pumpkin in a spoon.

Supplies Needed

5-gallon Bucket of Whole Black Walnuts – Black walnuts, high in alkaloids and tannins, contain antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties.
Pumpkin Seeds – The seeds from one large fresh pumpkin can be enough for a couple of pigs. Pumpkin seeds contain an amino acid called Cucurbitacin. It paralyzes the worms, and they detach from the intestines and pass through the waste. Cucurbitacin eliminates all kinds of parasites. Cucurbitacin is any of a class of biochemical compounds that some plants – notably members of the Cucurbitaceae, which includes common pumpkins and gourds.
Knife – Use a knife to cut the stem off the pumpkin.
Large Spoon – Use a spoon or other implement to clean the seeds and fibers out of the pumpkin.
Bowl – Collect the seeds and pumpkin innards in a bag or a bowl.

Worming Pigs Step-by-Step

Collect the whole walnuts in the hull if you can access a black walnut tree or purchase them online.
Collect enough black walnuts to fill a 5-gallon bucket.
Pour the black walnuts into the pig pen. Watch to see if your pigs eat the black walnuts. Sometimes, the pigs take a few days to eat them all. A black walnut tastes bitter.
Next, buy or pick a few pumpkins. Cut open the tops, scrape out the seeds, flesh, and fibers from the middle of the pumpkin and collect them.
Pour the pumpkin seeds and flesh into the pig pen. Pigs typically gobble up pumpkin seeds. It is a special treat for pigs.
Your pigs will be happy, healthy, and worm free!

Raising pigs is one of the most rewarding things we do at Hidden Heights Farm. We feel like the amazing pork we end up with is well worth the effort and costs. We hope you give it a try!