6 Best Natural Poultry Dewormer For Egg Laying Hens Old Farmers Swear By
Explore 6 natural dewormers for laying hens, backed by generations of farmers. Learn how to boost flock health and egg output without harsh chemicals.
You’re out with your morning coffee, watching the flock scratch and peck, when you notice one of your best layers looks a little… off. Her feathers are ruffled, she’s a bit lethargic, and her comb isn’t as vibrant as it was last week. Internal parasites are often the silent thieves of a flock’s vitality, and for those of us raising hens for eggs, using harsh chemical dewormers that require an egg withdrawal period is a frustrating last resort. This is where a proactive, natural approach to parasite control comes in, focusing on gut health and prevention rather than just reaction.
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Why Natural Deworming Matters for Your Flock
Let’s be clear: natural deworming is not a direct, one-for-one replacement for a chemical dewormer when you have a confirmed, heavy infestation. Instead, it’s about creating an environment—both inside and outside the chicken—that is inhospitable to parasites. The goal is to keep the parasite load so low that it never becomes a clinical problem for a healthy bird. This approach is about building resilience, not just blasting a problem after it’s taken hold.
Think of it like tending a garden. You can wait for weeds to take over and then hit them with a strong herbicide, or you can use mulch, cover crops, and regular hand-weeding to keep them from ever getting established. Natural deworming is the mulch and hand-weeding of poultry care. By supporting your hens’ immune systems and gut health, you empower them to manage a low, natural level of parasites on their own, which is far more sustainable in the long run.
This preventative mindset means you don’t have to worry about egg withdrawal periods. Everything discussed here is a food-grade supplement or a management practice, not a medication. It’s about integrating health support into your daily and weekly chores, leading to a more robust, self-sufficient flock that requires less intervention.
Harris Farms Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
Get natural pest control with Harris Diatomaceous Earth. This half-pound of 100% freshwater diatomaceous earth features an easy-to-use puffer tip for targeted application.
You’ve likely seen bags of this fine, white powder at the feed store. Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. On a microscopic level, these particles are incredibly sharp and porous, and that’s where their supposed power lies.
The theory is twofold. When mixed into feed, the sharp edges of the DE particles are thought to shred the soft bodies of internal parasites as they pass through the digestive tract. When used as a dust, it desiccates—or dries out—the exoskeletons of external parasites like mites and lice. Many old-timers swear by adding a cup or two of DE to every 50-pound bag of feed as a constant, low-level preventative.
However, it’s important to have realistic expectations. The effectiveness of DE for internal parasites is a topic of hot debate, with little formal scientific evidence to back it. But it’s also cheap, a good source of trace minerals, and an excellent drying agent to keep coops and dust baths fresh. Think of it as a low-cost, multi-purpose tool that may help with parasite loads but shouldn’t be your only line of defense.
Raw Pumpkin Seeds: A Cucurbitacin-Rich Treat
Come fall, when pumpkins are everywhere, your flock can get in on the harvest. Raw pumpkin seeds contain a compound called cucurbitacin, which has been shown to have paralytic effects on intestinal worms. It doesn’t kill the parasites outright, but it stuns them, causing them to lose their grip on the intestinal wall so the chicken can pass them naturally.
The key is using raw, unprocessed seeds. Roasting or salting them for your own enjoyment destroys the very compound you need. Simply scoop them out of a pumpkin, crush them slightly to make them easier for the birds to eat, and offer them as a special treat. The chickens will go wild for them.
This is a perfect example of a seasonal, preventative tool. Growing a few sugar pie pumpkins in your garden gives you a source of this natural dewormer right at your fingertips. It’s not something you’d rely on year-round, but it’s an excellent way to give your flock’s digestive system a cleanse, especially before heading into the winter months.
Bragg Organic ACV in Your Flock’s Waterer
Apple Cider Vinegar, specifically the raw, unpasteurized kind with "the mother," is a staple in many holistic farming systems. The mother is a colony of beneficial bacteria, which makes the ACV a probiotic. Adding a splash to your flock’s water (about one tablespoon per gallon) helps to slightly acidify their digestive tract.
This subtle change in pH makes the gut a less welcoming place for parasites and pathogenic bacteria to multiply. At the same time, it supports the good bacteria that are essential for nutrient absorption and a strong immune system. It’s a classic example of working with the bird’s natural biology, not against it.
A critical point of practice: only use ACV in plastic or ceramic waterers. The acidity will corrode galvanized metal waterers over time, leaching zinc into the water, which can be toxic to your birds. This is a simple, inexpensive daily tonic that contributes to overall gut health, which is the foundation of a parasite-resistant chicken.
Crushed Garlic Cloves: An All-Natural Additive
Garlic is nature’s powerhouse. It’s known for its immune-boosting, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties, thanks largely to a compound called allicin. Allicin is only released when the garlic clove is crushed or chopped, so simply throwing whole cloves into the waterer won’t do much good.
The easiest way to administer it is to crush a few cloves and let them steep in the flock’s water for a day. Alternatively, you can finely mince it and mix it into a wet mash or fermented feed, which the chickens will devour. This method helps fortify their immune systems, making them better equipped to fight off any freeloading worms.
And let’s address the big question: will it make your eggs taste like garlic? In the vast majority of cases, no. When used in moderation (a couple of cloves per gallon of water a few times a week), the effect on egg flavor is negligible to non-existent. It’s a simple, effective way to boost flock health without any real downside.
Verm-X Herbal Pellets: A Complete Formula
For the hobby farmer who values convenience and a scientifically-backed formulation, pre-mixed herbal products are an excellent choice. Verm-X is one of the most well-known brands. It’s a blend of various herbs like garlic, cinnamon, thyme, and peppermint, all chosen for their historical use in intestinal hygiene.
The biggest advantage here is the removal of guesswork. The product is pelletized and designed to be added to your birds’ daily feed ration for three consecutive days each month. This provides a consistent, broad-spectrum herbal cleanse without you having to source, dry, and mix a dozen different ingredients. It’s a reliable way to integrate herbal parasite control into your routine.
The tradeoff, of course, is cost. Buying a pre-made formula is more expensive than buying garlic or growing pumpkins. However, for those with limited time or who want the peace of mind that comes with a professionally formulated product, the investment in flock health can be well worth it.
NutriBiotic GSE Liquid for Water Systems
Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) is a potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial liquid. It’s derived from the seeds and pulp of grapefruit and is known for its ability to fight bacteria, fungi, and some parasites. A few drops in a gallon of water can act as a powerful gut cleanse and system flush for your flock.
Unlike ACV or garlic, which are gentle enough for daily use, GSE is best used more strategically. Think of it as a periodic "reset" for their digestive system, perhaps for a week every month or two, or when you’re introducing new birds to the flock. It’s also fantastic for sanitizing waterers and keeping algae growth at bay.
Because of its potency, a little goes a long way. Follow the product’s dosage recommendations carefully. It’s a strong tool to have in your natural poultry care kit, especially for addressing minor digestive upsets before they become major problems.
Rotational Grazing: Your Best Prevention Tool
All the supplements in the world can’t fix a contaminated environment. The single most effective natural dewormer is a shovel and a roll of poultry netting. Parasites have a simple life cycle: the hen poops out parasite eggs, the eggs hatch in the soil, and another hen ingests the larvae while foraging. Rotational grazing breaks this cycle.
By moving your flock to fresh ground regularly—even just shifting a chicken tractor ten feet every few days—you leave the parasite load behind. The sun’s UV rays, weather, and time will kill off the vast majority of those eggs and larvae before your chickens ever return to that same patch of ground. This prevents the constant re-infestation that plagues static, fixed coops and runs.
This isn’t just about parasite control; it’s about soil health, flock happiness, and a more nutritious diet for your birds. They get fresh greens and bugs, and the land gets gently tilled and fertilized. Even in a small backyard, dividing a run into two or three sections and rotating the birds between them can make a world of difference. Good management is always the best medicine.
Ultimately, natural parasite control for laying hens isn’t about finding a single magic bullet. It’s about building a multi-layered system of support that combines good nutrition, a clean environment, and targeted herbal supplements. By focusing on proactive gut health and breaking the parasite life cycle through smart grazing, you can raise a vibrant, productive flock that rarely, if ever, needs chemical intervention.
