How often?

MrHank · #1 09/28/07, 11:10 AM

How often should one worm their goats? We are new to raising goats and have been for about 3 months now. Just curious how often one should worm there goats on a regular basis. We had a feces sample run Monday and they are now worm free but still have the parasites, we have 11 goats in a 7 acre field which on a normal year (our worst drought since 1936)they would not even eat this field down short but this year they have. We our now giving corid for parasites. I also know to rotate your wormers so what are some different ones to use? Thanks

simplyflow · #2 09/28/07, 11:22 AM

I am not so good at the "which one to use" as far as wormers, but I would definitely recommend making sure they get enough copper in their diets which helps to naturally defend against worms.

Have fun with the goats!

BlueHeronFarm · #3 09/28/07, 12:22 PM

You will find there are as many answers to this question as there are goat owners.

You have made the right start - MY method is only to worm when fecal tests show that I need to. I am a little confused about your worm v. "parasites" issue. Worms are a kind of parasite- did they find cocci? Coccidia is the only thing corrid is used for, and all goats have SOME cocci. Most adult goats do not need to be treated for this.

As to what wormer - Cydectin is a good one that kills stomach worms if/when you find them. The rotation issue - well, there are a lot of opinions on that, but some think that frequent rotation of wormers only helps to breed resitant worms. I'd pick one and see if it works for you (by getting another fecal test 10 days after worming) and stick with it for as long as it works.

...you will invariably get other opinions, but this is what works for us.

MrHank · #4 09/28/07, 10:47 PM

They did have cocci really bad the first time around. Loaded as a matter of fact according to the vet. When we did the 2nd fecal 3 weeks after the intial test, the worms (tapes, flukes etc...) were gone thanks to a dose of Synathic 22.5%. We just finished up with our 2nd round of Corid and are hoping that the next fecal in 3 weeks gives us the all clear with the cocci.

We've put our a goat mineral block that has quite a bit of copper in it. Hopefully that will help and with any luck some rain. Our fields aren't as bad as some others around home since we've only got 11 goats on about 7 acres. We've put out some hay for them to start munching on.

We're having a ball with the goats. They are very amusing to watch and our son loves them. It was really great to stumble across this forum. You guys are a wealth of information for beginners.