Goat Survey

rabbitpatch · #1 08/26/13, 05:34 PM

I am conducting a survey of the deworming practices of goat owners. Please take a moment to participate. The more responses there are, the more accurate the results will be!

Thank you so much in advance.

http://www.wildflowervalleyfarm.com/...rvey-2013.html

BlueRose · #2 08/26/13, 07:10 PM

There is alot of worming questions today.

Ford Zoo · #3 08/27/13, 04:30 PM

How can we find out the results? Can you let us know?

GoslingFever · #4 08/27/13, 08:46 PM

I'd like to know too!

DamnearaFarm · #5 08/28/13, 08:06 PM

I'm sure she won't have a problem sharing results.

Here in East TN the weather has thrown our deworming practices for a loop.

rabbitpatch · #6 08/28/13, 10:30 PM

Oh sure, I plan to share the results. I plan to leave the survey open for approximately 1 full week (maybe a little longer if there still seems to be a steady stream of responses coming in), and then I will share my findings. What I can see so far is rather interesting I think. For example, the vast majority of those who have responded so far, believe their usual deworming practices are working properly at this time. There is a wide variety of reasons for why people believe this however. Some offer scientific proof, such as clear fecal exams. Others offer very little evidence at all, other than "They all look good" or my favorite "None of them have died yet." There are a handful however, who despite their best efforts, feel that they are fighting a losing battle with worms this year, due to the extremely wet weather causing prolific parasite growth.

ozark_jewels · #7 08/29/13, 02:17 PM

I will say that I am one who does not fecal unless I see a reason too. I've been following the same deworming methods for almost 10 years now. No anemia, no bottle jaw and have never even seen signs of worms. I used fecals for a few years to *know* that my deworming/management methods were working. But not in many years. But the whole management picture has SO MUCH to do with your deworming methods working or not. It is not even close to being just the wormer you use, how often you use it and how you administer it. It has everything to do with your pastures, your herd health, proper minerals, proper nutrition, the timing of the worming, etc. If you aren't using *everything* in your arsenal, to help your herds immunity to worms, you are shorting yourself.
So no, I'll not spend the money on fecals when I desperately need it elsewhere. There is just so much more to the worm issue than the what, when, and how of the wormer you use.
Now, for those just getting into goats, those seeing issues, or those not sure about their deworming methods, I always advise fecals as the best way to know whats going on. Or if adding goats to your herd.
Yes, I did take your survey and enjoyed it.

rabbitpatch · #8 08/29/13, 08:33 PM

I hope my previous comment was not taken in a negative way. I didn't mean to pass judgement on anyone's management practices. I was merely pointing out the wide difference in reasons given so far, as to why each person feels their practices are working. For all I know, the people who give a reason of "All my goats are healthy." may very well do fecals or use FAMANCHA, etc. - they just didn't say so.

I agree with you on the frequency of fecals. If I could do my own, I might do them quite often, just because I'm curious like that. Since I cannot, I do them when I feel like I need to know more than what I can see with the naked eye.

And thank you for taking my survey. I appreciate it very much!

ozark_jewels · #9 08/29/13, 08:57 PM

No, I was just explaining my stance on fecals for my herd.......

rabbitpatch · #10 09/12/13, 10:42 PM

The survey results are in! http://www.wildflowervalleyfarm.com/...on-my-doe.html