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

A pig’s body has to work brutally hard to reach 100 kg as quickly as possible. That is according to Helmut Schirmbrand—our father, founder of KALKMEISTER, and one of Austria's most experienced zeolite practitioners. He knows that pigs receive nutrient-rich feed every day. And that is why their urine—and slurry—is truly special. What is actually good for the pig shows in the barn, in the feed, and in the manure. And sometimes, in the fact that the neighbors can hang their laundry out again.

I remember conversations with my father about pigs. Everything moves fast with pigs. Growth is rapid, metabolism runs at peak performance—and that is exactly why diarrhea in piglets is so dangerous. If they don’t grow, the economic damage grows too. Zeolite can help here on several levels at once.

Zeolite for pigs

What Dad, Helmut Schirmbrand, knows from practice

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

"A pig’s body has to work brutally hard to reach 100 kg as quickly as possible. Therefore, they get nutrient-rich feed every day, and that is why their urine—and slurry—is quite special. It’s a real pain if the pigs have diarrhea—then they don't grow as fast."

That is 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—intervene exactly there to create positive results.

A farmer once told us he didn't want to have to shower every single time he stepped out of the pig barn. So, he started adding litter and zeolite. It seems to work. That is applied practice.

The smell is the first thing you notice

Anyone using STALLKRAFT litter in a pig barn for the first time experiences a quick, noticeable change: the ammonia smell decreases. This is no coincidence and no magic—it’s physics. Clinoptilolite zeolite binds ammonia (NH₃) in its unique pore structure. Directly at the source, before it escapes into the air. Proven by studies and tested in the field.

Martin K. puts it in a nutshell:

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

For many pig farms located in villages or on the outskirts of towns, this is existential today. Ammonia and odors are not just a burden for the surrounding area—they have often become serious legal disputes. STALLKRAFT litter helps, without chemical additives, simply through the natural structure of the zeolite.

Annette K. confirms:

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

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 additive—they gladly eat the lime off the floor."

This is not a curiosity. This is zoopharmacognosy (the natural self-medication of animals that instinctively recognize what is good for them).

Straw flooring or slatted floors—STALLKRAFT works on both

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

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

Customers recognize the quality immediately. Anyone who holds STALLKRAFT in their hands can feel the fine grit and extraordinary absorbency. Many report: They need less than they do with other products—and don't have to re-spread it as often. Sustainability.

Tobias L., direct marketer:

"As a farmer, my goal is not only to be productive but also to operate 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 problems begin. Ammonia levels rise, germs multiply, the animals become more susceptible to respiratory problems and skin diseases. And then there is the smell.

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

Petra describes the handling:

"We are particularly impressed by its ecological compatibility and how easy it is to apply. The powder mixes very well with the straw bedding."

Zeolite for piglets—from the very first minute

Here is one of the most practical and surprising applications from Dad's wealth of experience: when umbilical cords are cut, newborn piglets are rubbed directly with zeolite. Sometimes even with the zeolite-lime litter. This dries them quickly and kills germs before they can penetrate—exactly at the moment when the newborn animal is most vulnerable. Just as seeds are treated (potatoes in a lime, zeolite, and microorganism coating sprout better—obviously), this "jump-start" is given to the little animals as well.

And when removing testicles (= castration of male piglets), zeolite is used as an anti-inflammatory agent—directly on the wound. It shows the same properties here that it does in the udder, on the skin, and on the hoof: this great powder absorbs wound secretions, inhibits germs, and supports wound healing. Of course, there are other products for this. But here, we are right in the heart of nature and the world of home remedies. No chemicals. And lime and zeolite don't hurt as much as other things when applied to a wound. It doesn't sting. That's important for little beings, whom we want to feel as good as possible, with as few stress hormones in their bodies as possible—hormones that they only partially break down, with the waste products only partially being excreted well. Incidentally, zeolite is proven to help the liver excrete those stress hormones efficiently. Allegedly, you can taste them in the meat. So I’ve heard...

As for what science says about "coating": Haydel et al. (2008) showed in laboratory studies that clay minerals can inhibit a broad spectrum of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. What experienced pig farmers have long practiced is scientifically grounded.

Less tail-biting—an underestimated problem

Tail-biting (= a behavioral disorder in housed pigs that leads to serious injury and high veterinary costs) is one of the most persistent problems in pig farming. It often arises from stress, boredom, overcrowding, or mineral deficiency.
We observe it time and again: when zeolite is included in the feed, pigs are less likely to bite the tails of their peers.

The potential connection: Zeolite acts as an ion exchanger (= releases useful minerals and absorbs harmful ones) and can compensate for mineral deficiencies. At the same time, it improves the barn climate—less ammonia means less stress for the animals. And less stress means less aggression.
That’s no miracle. That is cause and effect.

Pig slurry—why it is special

Pig slurry is fundamentally different from cattle slurry. Cattle slurry contains a lot of straw—which makes it firmer, thicker, and more structured. Pig slurry 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, compared to 50–60% for cattle slurry).
This means: pig slurry loses proportionally more nitrogen through ammonia gas emission—this 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 slurry before it can escape as ammonia (NH₃). The nitrogen remains in the liquid and is fully available to the plants upon application.

Martin K. has also observed something important: Pig slurry with STALLKRAFT litter does not develop a crust. For many farms, this is a real problem—the crust (= the solid layer that forms on top of the slurry) makes stirring more difficult and application uneven. With zeolite, the slurry remains more homogeneous (= evenly mixed) and easier to process. Although that is even more important with cattle slurry. With pig slurry, a crust is generally less of a problem.

And GÜLLEKRAFT N-FIX—our special NH₃-binder—does NOT settle in the slurry. That is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer is clear: through the tribomechanical grinding process (= gentle comminution where particles grind each other down), the particles are so fine that they remain suspended 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 mycotoxin that significantly impairs the fertility of pigs). The result: sows with clinoptilolite showed improved reproductive performance, lower piglet mortality, and better bone structure despite mycotoxin exposure.

Papaioannou et al. (2002) showed: In a study of over 450 breeding sows, there was a higher farrowing rate, more sows returned to estrus in a timely manner, and there were fewer cases of mastitis and fever.
Estrus (= heat) is the time in the female cycle when the sow is ready to conceive—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 heat in time after weaning the piglets, the farm loses valuable time—and money. Every lost cycle means fewer litters per year, fewer piglets, less yield.
The fact that more sows treated with zeolite returned to estrus on time is therefore economically very relevant—it means shorter intervals between pregnancies 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 their feed. The result: significantly higher body weight, lower diarrhea severity score—and ten times fewer harmful germs in the gut: 19x10⁷ vs. 19x10⁸ CFU/ml (= germ count per milliliter of intestinal content). At the same time, there were 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 their feed grew faster, had higher-quality meat protein, and were significantly calmer. Less biting, less stress. Here we have confirmation once again: less aggression and cortisol.

The underestimated risk: Mycotoxins in pig feed

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

And an observation from the field: When zeolite was first delivered directly to pig barns to address odor complaints, the pigs immediately flocked to it and ate it with haste. Their instincts knew what their bodies needed. Afterward, the health of the herd improved rapidly and piglet mortality dropped.

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 Loidholdhof in Upper Austria from Austrian organic herbs, photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, and natural yeasts.

What AM+PLUS achieves in the pig barn: It starts the healthy fermentation process (= natural transformation of organic substances by microorganisms) right in the barn. This means less rot, less odor, a better barn climate—and slurry that arrives in the field already pre-activated. More homogeneous, easier to stir, more nutrient-rich.

Bernhard Keplinger, an organic farmer from Bad Leonfelden, reports:

"Initially, we started with other microorganisms. Every time we fogged them in the barn, we would get a coughing fit. We worked with those earlier microorganisms for 3 years, and the liquid manure didn't really change. Then we found AM+PLUS from STEINKRAFT — since then, the climate in the barn has improved tremendously. The smell of the manure is better, mixing it is much easier, and we no longer have any flies in the barn."

And then comes the sentence that says it all:

"This year we had an almost tropical climate, and the neighboring farms couldn't keep the flies away. We had almost none. Even the vet asked us what we were doing in the barn — he was so amazed."

AM+PLUS in the pigsty — how to apply it:

As barn air fogging: 0.2 liters of AM+PLUS to 10 liters of water, spray into the barn air and onto the manure track at least 3 times a week. This reduces odor, germs, and flies simultaneously.

In liquid manure: 0.1 liters of AM+PLUS per cubic meter of manure — stir in well, let ferment for 10 days before spreading.

Frequently asked practical questions

Does STALLKRAFT work on slatted floors?

Yes. Zeolite falls through the slats with the manure and continues its work in the slurry. Ammonia is bound while still in the barn — before it gets into the pit and into the air.

Does GÜLLEKRAFT settle in the liquid manure?

No. Due to the tribomechanical grinding process, the particles are so fine that they remain suspended. No crust formation — which isn't the case with pig slurry anyway —, more homogeneous manure, easier spreading.

Can STALLKRAFT also be eaten by the pigs?

Yes — and that often happens on its own. STALLKRAFT is high-quality feed lime. When pigs consume bedding, they have good reason for doing so. Reinhard P. observes this regularly: "The pigs like to lick the lime off 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 on rubber mats. Customers report: They need less than with other products because the absorption power is so much higher.

Application & dosage — as simple as possible

STALLKRAFT bedding for breeding sows, piglets, and fattening 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 total daily ration, mix into the moist feed.

TIERKRAFT zeolite for piglets immediately after birth: apply directly to the wound when umbilical cord is cut and during castration — dries, disinfects, inhibits germs.

AM+PLUS active microorganisms for barn air fogging: 0.2 L to 10 L of water, spray at least 3 times a week.

AM+PLUS active microorganisms in liquid manure: 0.1 L per m³ of manure, stir in well, let ferment for 10 days.

GÜLLEKRAFT N-FIX: directly into the liquid 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 fattening pigs
👉 AM+PLUS active microorganisms — for barn air, liquid manure, and a healthy barn climate
👉 GÜLLEKRAFT N-FIX — NH₃ binder for valuable, homogeneous pig slurry

Read more

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

Sources

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