Worming goats

[Lizjax]

They don't have cocci, their poops are normal berries. I'll check their eyes. Should they be wormed ever so often, or only if needed?

 

[Green Acres Farm]

They don't have cocci, their poops are normal berries. I'll check their eyes. Should they be wormed ever so often, or only if needed?

Just because their poops are normal berries does not mean they don't have cocci.

Kids have been known to die from anemia BEFORE the diarrhea even started with coccidiosis.

Ideally, you should worm only when needed.

The FAMACHA chart is really helpful, but not all worms cause anemia, so it has its limitations. Also, barberpoles aren't the only worms that cause anemia. If you see a goat with pale eyelids and just assume it's barberpole, it could be flukes or cocci instead which your typical dewormer does not kill.

 

[Lizjax]

Oh ok. We do feed them the medicated feed, is that supposed to help prevent cocci?

 

[Green Acres Farm]

Oh ok. We do feed them the medicated feed, is that supposed to help prevent cocci?

Noble Goat feed at TSC contains a coccidiostat which helps *prevent* coccidiosis. Does not treat.

 

[Lizjax]

Ok thanks

 

[MaggieSims]

they always have a small amount of cocci, its when it blooms, and over runs their systems is when to treat. i'd be worried they would be building resistance (the cocci) by feeding medicated. i never do that, for any species. if you worm on a schedule, you might be over worming, or even under-worming or not treating for the right kind. it really is best to have the fecal done, it will save money on un-needed wormers, or the wrong kinds. plus vet bill down the road when the worming are not working.

 

[MaggieSims]

are they pets or for meat/milk? this also affects which wormers to use, as some will have withholding times.

 

[babsbag]

If they have been on medicated feed since they were weaned there is good chance they will not get cocci. I don't feed it because I milk my does and don't want them on it, but next year I think I will wean my kids and use the medicated. Doing cocci prevention on 50 kids will be insane.

I would not just routinely worm as it may not be needed. It really depends on the goats and how much they can tolerate worm wise and on your land. Places that get year round rain and/or irrigated pastures have more problems with worms than places that have dry summers.

 

[Lizjax]

They are both pets, but we plan on breeding our Nigerian in the future. Thank you all for the help.

 

[babsbag]

@Goat Whisperer or @Southern by choice can you post the link for the mail-in fecal tests?