Manage Internal Parasites (Worms)

Use targeted selective treatment (TST) rather than routine blanket deworming. Perform fecal egg counts (FECs) every 4-8 weeks to identify which goats carry high parasite loads, and deworm only those animals. Train in FAMACHA scoring to assess anemia from Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm) by checking eyelid color. Rotate pastures on a 60-day cycle to break parasite life cycles, and avoid grazing on wet or short grass below 4 inches.

Why It Works

Blanket deworming accelerates anthelmintic resistance, which is already widespread in goat herds. Treating only high-shedding animals (roughly 20-30% of the herd) preserves refugia — the parasite population still susceptible to dewormers — while pasture rotation reduces larval exposure on forage.

Tips

• Collect fresh fecal samples in the morning and refrigerate until analysis; a McMaster slide kit costs under $50 for DIY counts
• FAMACHA scores of 4 or 5 (pale to white) require immediate treatment; scores of 1-2 need no intervention
• Rotate between dewormer classes (benzimidazoles, macrocyclic lactones, levamisole) based on vet guidance to slow resistance