Worming

[Kye022984]

How often should we worm our goats? I would like to use the Molly's Herbal stuff on a regular and a chemical wormer as needed. Anyone do this? What's your worming schedule. We have a three year old, four year old, and two five month old goats.

[Alice In TX/MO]

You don't schedule deworming. You fecal test, check eyelids for paleness that indicates anemia (which means you've waited too long), and try to avoid creating worms that are immune to the dewormers.

Deworming on a schedule creates super worms. The weak ones are killed, the strong survive, and after a while, the dewormers don't work.

Safeguard has been overused to the point that it's not effective on barberpole stomach worms, but it will still work on tapeworms, at three times the normal dose.

Cydectin is still effective in most places.

Ivomec has lost effectiveness in some parts of the country.

This is why fecal testing on a regular basis is important.

[Ann Mary]

Another routine to consider...www.skylinesfarm.com....follow the info to 'organic pest control".....or something along that line. SHe talks about a garlic/molasses regime she uses 5 times a year, the fecal test results she has had, etc. I have used this system for 2 years now and my goats look great. ANd, If I end up putchering one I know it has not had any chemical in it. Oh, she has sheep but I asked her if it culd be used on goats and she said yes, and dogs too. NOT equines or felines and possibly not other species of animals too so check it out first.

[Feral Nature]

It also depends on where you live, your climate, rainfall, temperatures, do you get a hard freeze in the winter, things like that.

[Alice In TX/MO]

The skylinefarms link didn't work for me.

Try this one:
http://www.skylinesfarm.com/parasitecontrol.htm

Note that they are in Idaho where the ground freezes in the winter, and they use rotational grazing. Those factors are probably the two most significant in their program.

[Minelson]

Originally Posted by Ann Mary

Another routine to consider...www.skylinesfarm.com....follow the info to 'organic pest control".....or something along that line. SHe talks about a garlic/molasses regime she uses 5 times a year, the fecal test results she has had, etc. I have used this system for 2 years now and my goats look great. ANd, If I end up putchering one I know it has not had any chemical in it. Oh, she has sheep but I asked her if it culd be used on goats and she said yes, and dogs too. NOT equines or felines and possibly not other species of animals too so check it out first.

Do you give your goats 25cc like she gives to her sheep? That is a huge dose!