The hogs escaped the other day and discovered the black walnuts lying all over the property. Any reason they shouldn't be eating them? I figured they're woodland creatures and if acorns don't hurt them, black walnuts won't either. When I searched google, I found a couple individuals saying they don't feed them because if they're poisonous to one species, they must be to all. (Odd logic - chocolate will kill the dog but I still eat it ;)) I also found a decently written small farmers' publication on the subject. They gave the green light. noting that while the pigs spit out most of the shell, pieces that get swallowed can help kill adult round worms. I'm awed that cracking the shells seems to have no ill effects on their teeth! But they're feeder pigs, I guess they don't need teeth that long!

We have a lot of black walnut on the property and we intentionally feed them to our hogs. The go crazy for them, and as you mention they are a good dewormer. We feed as much fast as we can to our hogs. The get plenty of Pawpaws, locust pods and acorns as well as the walnuts!

We learned from the Amish we sell pigs to that walnuts are great for worms, like you see. Yeah, they crunch pretty well. Ours will crush up limestone chunks and eat them.

Black Walnuts are everywhere in our woods, where we also raise our hogs. Once hogs have discovered them, there isn't a walnut to be found here!! We've also never found a single worm at processing time. I say, hey, free protein and dewormer. Can't beat that!!

My old Otterhound used to lie around on our back deck and gnaw on black walnuts in the winter. I was always impressed by that dog's ability to crack those hard nuts. I sure miss that ole boy.