[Jacob-list] Sheep & Goat Worming

[Linda]

I second the FAMACHA recommendation and I recommend attending the class. 
The class is not just about checking eyelids. It's more of complete 
program. I don't believe that whole flock worming on a schedule is the 
the most efficient or the most effective method. Besides the very real 
problem of dewormer resistance with over deworming, you can miss 
deworming one that needs it if all you are looking at is the calendar. 
This year, in my area, was a very bad year for parasites. Lambs, of 
course, are much more susceptible to the effects of parasites. I checked 
eyelids on the lambs every week instead of the recommended every two 
weeks. (I also run fecal egg counts as warranted). I found some lambs 
that were in the 'do not worm' category that were quite anemic at the 
next two week check, so went to a weekly check on the lambs. Very few of 
the adults required deworming.
Also second Brenda's recommendation that you talk to a local vet and 
area shepherds to find out about what parasites are especially 
problematic in your area. We seldom see ostertagia, which causes 
diarrhea, here. 30 miles south, ostertagia is not uncommon. Haemonchus 
is our killer parasite, which causes anemia, but not diarrhea. Diarrhea 
is 99% caused by coccidia. So do see what's going on in your area and 
what you specifically need to watch for.


Brenda wrote:

> I strongly recommend you consider FAMACHA guidelines. 

> http://www.scsrpc.org/SCSRPC/FAMACHA/famacha.htm. Whether or not you 

> want to be that conservative with pharmaceuticals, it gives you a 

> major clue if parasites are getting the upper hand.

>  

> I have been very pleased with this approach here. We also mix 

> diatomaceous earth in with mineral salts, about 25% by volume. Our 

> lambing % has gone up and use of pharmaceuticals has gone down. You 

> have to get a vet to order the chart for you or go to a workshop, but 

> you can see the basics pretty well. I have the card but just "eyeball 

> it" (pun intended.) But I also recommend at least considering what 

> your vet recommends too. Our vet gave me a big clue that we have 

> lungworm issues on our farm due to slugs. Very hard to deal with, but 

> at least we know that the first sign of respiratory distress is a call 

> to action. We also benefitted from his advice when we had a severe 

> outbreak of a very resistant worm. It seems like the deer are 

> spreading it here- scattered farms get attacked at very random times 

> when new sheep haven't been moved in. I know for sure I get deer 

> visits in my pasture- in fact, they seem to know a thing or two about 

> hay feeders.

>  

> Brenda

>

>     ----- Original Message -----

>     *From:* im rapunzil <mailto:im-rapunzil at hotmail.com>

>     *To:* Jacob List <mailto:jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>

>     *Sent:* Wednesday, September 22, 2010 2:18 PM

>     *Subject:* [Jacob-list] Sheep & Goat Worming

>

>     Hey all-

>      

>     Its my first time at worming my sheep and goats.  Does anyone have

>     a schedule to share?

>      

>     With horses we generally worm every other month, rotating the

>     medicines.  I keep a schedule for the whole year posted in my barn

>     so I don't forget.

>      

>     Thanx!

>     Cindy

>

>     /You live by writing your poems on a farm/

>     /and call that farming./

>

>

>      

>

>

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>

>

>

>

>

>

>

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-- 
Patchwork Farm Jacob Sheep <http://www.patchworkfibers.com>
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