wormer for deer ?

[fishboy1]

Ok here is a crazy one.

We have sheep and cattle. It is common to have parasite loads in your ruminants which need treatment. Deer scat is a common vector for parasites in sheep and goats. So....it follows that deer suffer at some level from the same worms that harm sheep and goats.

Everybody knows the benefits of putting out salt/minerals for deer in summertime.

I wonder if putting out a salt block with wormer would increase the health of deer by reducing their parasite loads?
Naturally you wouldn't want to do this long term as it would cause resistance to the wormers and create "super parasites".

But I wonder if the high fence deer farmers worm their deer during the peak parasite months ?

 

[MickThompson]

Somebody was selling something along these lines a couple years ago. I'd say though, that natural selection, a diverse diet, abundant forage, and adequate space (relative to a livestock operation) keeps parasites from having a serious impact on the herd. Individuals- maybe, but if they don't make it, the herd will become genetically stronger.

What are the benefits of putting out salt? I wasn't aware of any that had been documented, except that deer use them.

 

[fishboy1]

I was just wondering if anybody does it.
learned a lot about genetically selecting for parasite resistance in sheep and Deer are a major vector for parasite introduction to pastures.

Since everybody is spending big bucks to basically farm deer (food plots, habitat management, suppliments etc... ) I was wondering if there was a parasite program out there. Im sure there is some protocol in closed deer farms.

In cattle parasites can cause under performance by 25-50% if untreated.
Barberpole worms can kill sheep which are a very close relative to deer and is the parasite which worming protocols are designed around.

 

[BSK]

Deer are somewhat naturally resistant to internal parasites IF they are in good health. In fact, stomach parasite loads are used as a measure of herd health. As nutritional intake quality declines, and physical stresses increase, parasite loads increase.

In essence, the best way to keep internal parasite loads in deer low is to keep the deer healthy.

 

[tennbucks]

Deer can get barber pole worms and others in high numbers, but typically only have issues with them when deer densities are high and food availability dries up in the summer.

 

[Boone 58]

I know deer love the salt...........especially lactating does .....................no matter the unknown benefit. I have seen enough game photos to know that.