🐖 Zeolite in Pig Farming – What Really Happens When You Try It

A pig's body has to work incredibly hard to put on 100 kg as quickly as possible. That's what Helmut Schirmbrand says — our father, founder of KALKMEISTER and one of Austria's most experienced zeolite practitioners. He knows: pigs get nutrient-rich feed every day. And that's why their urine — and their manure — is also very special. What really benefits the pig shows in the barn, in the feed, and in the manure. And sometimes in the fact that the neighbors can hang out their laundry again.

I remember conversations with my father about pigs.  Pigs are always in a hurry. Their growth is rapid, their metabolism is working at full capacity — and that's exactly why diarrhea in piglets is so dangerous. If they don't grow, the financial damage also grows. Zeolite can help on several levels at the same time.

Zeolite in pigs

What Papa Helmut Schirmbrand knows from practice

My father is no theorist. He spent decades observing lime and zeolite on farms, talking to farmers, and trying out these valuable minerals. 

“A pig's body has to work incredibly hard to put on 100 kg as quickly as possible. That's why they get nutrient-rich feed every day, and that's why their urine — and their manure — is also very special. It's a real shame when pigs have diarrhea — then they don't grow as quickly."

That's the core of it. Growth is everything in pig farming. And everything that slows down growth — diarrhea, ammonia in the barn, a weak immune system — costs money. Lime and zeolite - the clay minerals - have exactly the right positive effect.

A farmer told us that he doesn't want to have to shower every time he comes out of the pig barn. So he adds it to the bedding and zeolite. It seems to work. That's practical experience.

The smell is the first thing you notice

Anyone who uses STALLKRAFT bedding in a pig barn for the first time will experience a rapid, noticeable change: The ammonia smell decreases. This is no coincidence and no magic — it's physics. Clinoptilolith zeolite binds ammonia (NH₃) in its unique pore structure. Directly at the source, before it escapes into the air. Scientifically proven and practically tested.

Martin K. puts it perfectly:

“The smell in the barn is less — and the neighbors can hang out their laundry again."

This is vital for many pig farms in villages or on the outskirts of towns today. Ammonia and odor are not only a burden for the environment — they are now often a real legal dispute. STALLKRAFT bedding helps, without chemical additives, simply through the natural structure of zeolite.

Annette K. confirms:

“The bedding ensures a dry and clean barn climate, which has significantly improved the health and well-being of our pigs. The smell is much less — STALLKRAFT is an indispensable part of our barn care."

And Reinhard P.:

“By regularly sprinkling a shovel of lime over the floor, not only is the ammonia content in the manure bound, but odor development is also significantly reduced. Interestingly, the pigs seem to appreciate this addition — they like to pick up the lime from the floor."

This is no curiosity. This is zoopharmacognosy (= the natural self-medication of animals, who instinctively recognize what is good for them).

Straw bedding or slatted floors — STALLKRAFT works on both

One of the most common questions we get: Can I also use STALLKRAFT bedding on slatted floors?
Yes. Helmut Schirmbrand has observed it on both systems and confirms: STALLKRAFT works on both straw bedding and slatted floors — and works very well on both.
On straw bedding, STALLKRAFT is mixed under the straw or sprinkled on top. Or both. Some farmers swear by both top AND bottom. The combination binds moisture, reduces ammonia, and inhibits germs.

On slatted floors, STALLKRAFT is sprinkled directly on the floor. The zeolite falls through the slats with the manure — and continues its work in the slurry. Ammonia is bound already in the barn before it reaches the slurry pit.

Customers recognize the quality immediately. Anyone who takes STALLKRAFT in their hand feels the fine grain and the extraordinary absorption power. Many report: They need less than with other products — and have to re-apply less often. Sustainability.

Tobias L., direct marketer:

“As a farmer, it is my goal to farm not only productively, but also sustainably. With STALLKRAFT I can achieve both. Our customers, who regularly buy products directly from the farm, appreciate the visible commitment to animal welfare and the reduced odor nuisance."

What is particularly important in the pig barn — dryness

As soon as it gets damp in the pig barn, the problem begins. Ammonia rises, germs multiply, the animals become more susceptible to respiratory problems and skin diseases. And the smell is there.

The most important property of STALLKRAFT in the pig barn is therefore the absorption power. Zeolite and lime together keep the floor dry — dry means: less smell, fewer germs, healthier animals.

Petra describes the handling:

“We are particularly impressed by the ecological compatibility and the easy application. The powder mixes very well with the straw bedding.”

Zeolite in piglets — from the very first minute

Here is one of the most practical and surprising applications from Papa's wealth of experience: When the umbilical cord is cut, newborn piglets are rubbed directly with zeolite. Sometimes even with the zeolite-lime bedding. It dries them quickly and kills germs before they can enter — exactly at the moment when the newborn animal is most vulnerable. Just as seeds are treated (potatoes in lime and zeolite and microorganism coating germinate better - of course) this head start is also given to the little animals.

And when the testicles are removed (= castration of male piglets), zeolite is used as an anti-inflammatory agent — directly on the wound. The same properties that zeolite shows in the udder, on the skin, and on the hoof, it also shows here: this great powder absorbs wound secretions, inhibits germs, and supports wound healing. Of course, there are other products for this. Here we are right in the middle of nature and in the world of home remedies. Without chemistry. And lime and zeolite don't hurt as much when they get on the wound as other things. It doesn't burn. That's important with little creatures, from whom we want them to feel as good as possible and have as few stress hormones in their body as possible, which they then only partially break down and these breakdown products are only partially well excreted. By the way, zeolite is proven to do this again. Zeolite helps the liver excrete these stress hormones well. Allegedly, you can taste them in the meat. I heard that ...

What science says about "treating": Haydel et al. (2008) showed in laboratory studies that clay minerals can inhibit a wide spectrum of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. What experienced pig farmers have been practicing for a long time is scientifically sound.

Less tail biting — an underestimated problem

Tail biting (= behavioral disorder in pigs in barn housing, which leads to serious injuries and high veterinary costs) is one of the most stubborn problems in pig farming. It often arises from stress, boredom, overcrowding, or mineral deficiency.
We observe it again and again: When zeolite is in the feed, pigs bite into the tails of their companions less.

The possible connection: Zeolite as an ion exchanger (= releases useful minerals and takes up harmful ones) can compensate for mineral deficiency. At the same time, it improves the barn climate — less ammonia means less stress for the animals. And less stress means less aggression.
This is no miracle. This is cause and effect.

Pig manure — why it is special

Pig manure is fundamentally different from cow manure. Cow manure contains a lot of straw — that makes it firmer, thicker, more structured. Pig manure contains no straw. It is thin, richer in nitrogen, and has a significantly higher ammonia content (60–70% of the nitrogen is present as ammonia, in cow manure it is 50–60%).
This means: Pig manure loses proportionally more nitrogen through ammonia outgassing — that is lost fertilizer and at the same time a burden for the air and the neighborhood.

Zeolite intervenes exactly here. It binds the ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺) in the manure before it escapes as ammonia (NH₃). The nitrogen remains in the liquid and is fully available to the plants when applied.

Martin K. has observed something else important: Pig manure with STALLKRAFT bedding has no floating layer. This is a real problem for many farms — the floating layer (= solid layer that forms on top of the manure) makes stirring up harder and application uneven. With zeolite, the manure remains more homogeneous (= evenly mixed) and can be processed more easily. Although this is even more important with cow manure. With pig manure, the floating layer is rather not a problem.

And GÜLLEKRAFT N-FIX — our special NH₃ binder — does NOT settle in the manure. This is one of the most common questions we get and the answer is clear: through the tribomechanical milling process (= gentle grinding, in which the particles grind each other), the particles are so fine that they stay in suspension and distribute evenly.

What zeolite does in the pig's body — what science says

Breeding sows: 

Kyriakis et al. (2002) studied 240 breeding sows over 180 days under real farm conditions. The feed was heavily contaminated with zearalenone (= a mold toxin that significantly impairs the fertility of pigs). The result: Sows with clinoptilolith had improved reproductive performance despite mycotoxin contamination, lower piglet mortality, and better bone structures.

Papaioannou et al. (2002) showed: In breeding sows over 450 animals, there was a higher farrowing rate, more sows returned to estrus on time, less mastitis and fever.
Estrus (= heat) is the time in the female cycle when the sow is receptive to mating — so the optimal moment for fertilization. 🐖
In pigs, this time window is very short — only 8 to 36 hours. If a sow does not return to estrus on time after weaning the piglets, the farm loses valuable time — and money. Every lost cycle means fewer litters per year, fewer piglets, less yield.
That more sows with zeolite returned to estrus on time, is therefore economically very relevant — it means shorter interim gestation periods and more productive days per sow per year.

Piglets: 

Valpotić et al. (2016) studied 40 weaned piglets over 35 days with only 0.5% zeolite in the feed. The result: significantly higher body weight, lower diarrhea severity — and ten times fewer harmful germs in the intestine: 19×10⁷ vs. 19×10⁸ CFU/ml (= germ count per milliliter of intestinal contents). At the same time, more immune cells in the intestinal mucosa.

“The CPL fed pigs had significantly higher body weight, the sum of diarrhea severity score in CPL-treated pigs was lower as well as a total bacterial load in jejunum." — Valpotić et al. (2016), Veterinary Medicine 61

Fattening pigs: 

Several studies — Coffey et al. (1989), Shurson et al. (1989) — consistently show: Fattening pigs with zeolite in the feed grew faster, had higher quality meat protein, and were significantly calmer. Less biting, less stress. Here we have the confirmation again: less aggression and cortisol.

The underestimated risk: Mycotoxins in pig feed

Mold toxins in feed are a real problem — even if the feed looks unnoticeable on the outside. Aflatoxins occur in grain, corn, and straw. In pigs, they lead to a weakened immune system, liver damage, and in breeding sows to fertility disorders.
Zeolite binds these toxins in the digestive tract and excretes them harmlessly — proven in numerous studies for all age groups.

And an observation from practice: When zeolite was delivered directly into pig barns for the first time because of odor complaints, the pigs immediately threw themselves on it and ate it up in haste. Their instinct knew what their body needed. After that, the health of the herd improved rapidly and piglet mortality fell.

AM+PLUS Active Microorganisms — the third power in the pig barn

Zeolite and lime are strong. They become even stronger in combination with AM+PLUS Active Microorganisms — produced at the Loidhold farm in Upper Austria from Austrian organic herbs, photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, as well as natural yeasts.

What AM+PLUS does in the pig barn: It starts the healthy fermentation process (= natural conversion of organic substances by microorganisms) already in the barn. This means less rot, less smell, a better barn climate — and manure that is pre-activated when it gets to the field. More homogeneous, easier to stir up, richer in nutrients.

Bernhard Keplinger, organic farmer from Bad Leonfelden, reports:

“We originally started with other microorganisms. Whenever we sprayed them in the barn, we always got a cough. We worked with these earlier microorganisms for 3 years, but the manure didn’t really change. Then we discovered AM+PLUS from STEINKRAFT — since then, the climate in the barn has improved dramatically. The manure smells better, it’s much easier to stir, and we no longer have flies in the barn.”

And then comes the sentence that says it all:

“This year we had almost tropical conditions, and the neighboring farms couldn’t escape the flies. We had almost none. Even the veterinarian asked us what we were doing in the barn — he was so amazed.”

AM+PLUS in the pig barn — how to use it:

As an air mist: 0.2 liters of AM+PLUS per 10 liters of water, sprayed into the barn air and onto the manure track at least 3 times a week. This reduces odor, germs, and flies at the same time.

In the manure: 0.1 liters of AM+PLUS per cubic meter of manure — mix in thoroughly, let ferment for 10 days before spreading.

Frequently Asked Questions from Practice

Does STALLKRAFT work on slatted floors?

Yes. The zeolite falls through the slats with the manure and continues its work in the manure. Ammonia is bound already in the barn — before it reaches the pit and the air.

Does GÜLLEKRAFT settle in the manure?

No. Thanks to the tribomechanical milling process, the particles are so fine that they remain suspended. No floating layer - which is not the case with pig manure anyway -, more homogeneous manure, easier spreading.

Can STALLKRAFT also be eaten by the pigs?

Yes — and it often happens on its own. STALLKRAFT is high-quality feed lime. When pigs pick up bedding, they have good reason to do so. Reinhard P. observes this regularly: “The pigs like to pick up the lime from the floor.”

How much do I need to spread?

100–200 g/m² of floor area, refresh as needed. The powder mixes excellently with straw bedding and works very well with rubber mats. Customers report: They need less than with other products because the absorption capacity is so much higher.

Application & Dosage — as simple as possible

STALLKRAFT bedding for breeding sows, piglets, and finishing pigs: 100–200 g/m² of floor area, refresh as needed. Works on straw and slatted floors.

TIERKRAFT Zeolite as a feed additive: max. 1% of the daily total ration, mix under the wet feed.

TIERKRAFT Zeolite for piglets directly after birth: apply directly to the wound during navel clipping and castration — dries, disinfects, inhibits germs. 

AM+PLUS Active Microorganisms for barn air misting: 0.2 L per 10 L of water, spray at least 3 times a week.

AM+PLUS Active Microorganisms in the manure: 0.1 L per m³ of manure, mix in thoroughly, let ferment for 10 days.

GÜLLEKRAFT N-FIX: directly into the manure — binds ammonia, more homogeneous manure.

Our products for pig farming

👉 STALLKRAFT Bedding — zeolite, lime, and organic herbs for dry, hygienic barns 👉 TIERKRAFT Zeolite — feed additive for piglets, breeding sows, and finishing pigs 
👉 AM+PLUS Active Microorganisms — for barn air, manure, and a healthy barn climate
👉 GÜLLEKRAFT N-FIX — NH₃ binder for valuable, homogeneous pig manure

Read more

What animals really need – Prof. Hecht on zoopharmacognition and zeolite
Zeolite in livestock farming: What studies really show
NH₃ binding in manure: Concrete recommendations for action
From practice for practice – Bernhard Keplinger on AM+PLUS in the barn

Source note

Kyriakis S.C. et al. (2002): Experimental studies on safety and efficacy of the dietary use of a clinoptilolite-rich tuff in sows. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 51, pp. 65–74  Papaioannou D.S. et al. (2002): A field study on the effect of clinoptilolite on health status and performance of sows/gilts and their litters. Research in Veterinary Science 72(1), pp. 51–59 
Valpotić H. et al. (2016): In-feed supplementation of a clinoptilolite favorably modulates intestinal and systemic immunity in weaned pigs. Veterinary Medicine 61, pp. 317–327  Papaioannou D.S. et al. (2004): A field study on the effect of clinoptilolite on health status and performance of weaned, growing and finishing pigs. Research in Veterinary Science 76, pp. 19–29 
Coffey M.T. et al. (1989); Shurson G.C. et al. (1989), Journal of Animal Science ·
Haydel S.E. et al. (2008): Broad-spectrum antibacterial activities of clay minerals. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 61, pp. 353–361