Intestinal parasites (worms) frequently affect chickens in backyard poultry flocks. While a small number of these parasites typically do not cause significant issues, an infestation with a large population of worms can lead to severe consequences.1
These effects may include stunted growth, decreased egg production, and a general decline in the overall health of the affected birds.
But before you reach for harsh chemical treatments, consider this: nature has provided us with a range of practical, gentle alternatives used by poultry keepers for generations.
These six proven natural remedies offer a safer, more sustainable approach to keeping your flock worm-free.
1. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds contain cucurbitacin, which is a natural dewormer that paralyzes intestinal worms. (ref)
To use pumpkin seeds as a dewormer, simply blend them into a paste with the pumpkin flesh and some buttermilk. Pour this mixture into the hollowed-out pumpkin halves and serve it to your chickens as a tasty treat.
Feeding your chickens this pumpkin seed blend monthly can help prevent worm infestations and keep your flock healthy.
Pumpkin seeds are effective against worms and provide essential nutrients and minerals to support your chickens’ overall well-being.
2. Garlic
Garlic is a potent natural dewormer that creates an unfavorable environment for intestinal parasites in your chickens’ digestive system.
To use garlic as a dewormer, crush a few cloves (about two per bird) and add them to your chickens’ drinking water with apple cider vinegar.
Make this garlic-infused water the only drinking source for your chickens for three days, but no longer, as it can be quite strong. As a preventative measure, repeat this treatment once a month.
Garlic helps control worms, boosts your chickens’ immune systems, and improves their gastrointestinal health.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a versatile natural remedy that helps maintain a healthy, acidic environment in your chickens’ digestive tract, making it inhospitable for worms.
Add one teaspoon of raw, unfiltered ACV to each gallon of your chickens’ drinking water to use ACV as a dewormer.
Offer this ACV-infused water to your chickens for three days, along with the crushed garlic treatment mentioned earlier.
Combining garlic and ACV creates a powerful natural deworming solution that supports your chickens’ gut health and keeps parasites at bay.
4. Nasturtium
Nasturtium is a beautiful flowering plant that adds color to your garden and is a natural dewormer for your chickens. Chickens love to eat nasturtium plants’ leaves, flowers, and seeds, which contain compounds that help expel intestinal parasites.
Consider planting nasturtium around the perimeter of your chicken run or in your garden. This will allow your chickens to graze on this natural dewormer.
Nasturtium also has antibiotic and antiseptic properties, making it a valuable addition to your chickens’ natural healthcare routine.
5. Yogurt & Probiotics
Plain yogurt with live, active cultures and probiotics can help support your chickens’ gastrointestinal health and create an unfavorable environment for intestinal worms.
The beneficial bacteria in yogurt and probiotics compete with parasites for resources and help maintain balanced gut flora.
Offer your chickens plain, unsweetened yogurt as an occasional treat, or add a probiotic supplement to their feed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Yogurt and probiotics aid in worm control and provide essential nutrients like calcium and protein to support your chickens’ overall health.
6. Herbs like Wormwood, Tansy, & Comfrey
Herbs, such as wormwood, tansy, and comfrey, have natural deworming properties that can help control intestinal parasites in chickens. These herbs contain compounds that create an inhospitable environment for worms in the digestive tract.
To use these herbs as natural dewormers, finely chop one or two leaves of your chosen herb and mix them into a mash made of oats, apple cider vinegar, pumpkin seeds, garlic, and yogurt.
Feed this herbal mash to your chickens every other day for three doses as a natural deworming treatment.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.