Do any of you use the Famacha method of parasite control? I recently received training in this method and received the chart for comparing the color of eyelids to determine need for chemical worming. It was designed to slow down the instances of resistant parasites because there are no new drugs in development and we are all going to be screwed if the parasites are allowed to become resistant to the drugs we have.
The basic premise is that all goats have a worm load and if it isn't adversly affecting them they do not need to be wormed. This is only effective for the most serious goat parasite, the barber pole worm.
The eyelids of all goats are checked and charted according to a scoring system and only the ones that score 4's and 5's are given chemical wormer and the others are not treated.
Careful records are kept and it soon becomes clear which goats can't tolerate parasites and theorectically should be culled.
It has been shown that 20% of a goat herd is responsible for 80% of the parasites.
Love to hear any feedback from those using this method of input on those not. Thanks, Denise

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www.happygoatsranch.com

Denise,
Yes - we use FAMACHA for determining worm loads. It has been highly effective for us and since we raise goats naturally, chemically free, we highly recommend it. It just makes too much sense on many levels. But, if nothing else, it's only common sense that it's a whole lot less work, time, and money to worm (whether you do it chemically or naturally) only those goats who need it rather than an entire herd.

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Kokiri Kikos
Naturally Raised PC, PB, & NZ Kikos
http://kokiri.kikos.googlepages.com/