Worms

[Deleted]

I have been reading these boards with my partner for a few months now. I have searched through the boards trying to find some recommendations without any success. I have just recently noticed and issue with one of the pigs we are raising.
here we go...

I have searched the internet high and low and have found so many (and disturbing) bits of information. This morning(8/1/2010) I found a long thin worm coming out of one of my female Tamworth meat pigs. We have two female pigs we purchased back in May and we are planning on slaughtering them Sept 28th. I am at a loss if what we should do. I have read a lot about worming swine, but it was for herds in the hundreds. What is the recommendation for a small backyard farm? We have been raising them organically since we have owned them. These are our first pigs.

I have also read that the worm eggs can live for up to 10 years in soil, and can infect humans. We had the pigs in a smaller space and recently let them into a larger grassy area about 2 weeks ago. I know this must have been happening before we turned them out and I am sure that my partner and i have been covered in pig mud/feces at some point.

We also brush the pigs and scratch them (wearing gloves) all the time. We also have dogs (which pass through the "mud" room area where we leave our farming clothes and boots), chickens and a cat. What are their risks?

I am just very anxious after reading the information from searching the internet. What would you seasoned experts recommend we do?

Is this as bad as I think it is?



**** I also wanted to add that within the last couple of weeks we have switched from feeding organic yogurt and 2% milk from the grocery store, to fresh raw whole organic milk from a local dairy. We also have been feeding them about a gallon a day on top of their feed, which is more then they were getting before. Could this be the reason for the exiting worms? (I think they are roundworms/ascaris)

[Jenn]

You can get worms through the skin. Walking barefoot where animals are present is not recommended. According to Dr Hart of Langston University, a H. Contortus worm will die of starvation if it doesn't get food in 40 days. Pigs are susceptible to different worms than ruminants. I don't know the life cycle of other worms. It is usually recommended to worm BEFORE moving to new pastures.

-Jenn

[dancingdogfarm]

I wouldn't worry too much, sounds like a round worm - was it smooth or segmented? Pigs, especially young pigs, are very susceptible to them, it's normal. The current research all points to having worms in your system (both human and otherwise) is how we evolved and is actually much healthier for you than to never have worms. Of course, having too many worms is another thing entirely. We raised tams and GOS's, did't worm too much, but when we did have to chemically worm we always used ivermectin paste, usually squeezed via the tube into a twinkie, or something else yummy - have also used the pour on with good results.

Carol