Raising Goats

RHV
RHV Posts: 3
edited November 2020 in Goats & Sheep

Anyone know of natural things to worm goats with? Hate giving them chemicals besides my goats worms are immune to the chemical wormers.

Comments

  • bcabrobin
    bcabrobin Posts: 251 ✭✭✭

    Tobacco - if your giving cigerattes, remove the filters, they can chew the paper.

    It's cheaper to buy a bag of loose and sprinkle it on their food.

    Here is more info for you

    https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/natural-dewormer-livestock

    https://www.offthegridnews.com/current-events/top-headlines/get-rid-of-parasitic-worms-on-the-homestead

    I have used it for years, I try not to give it to the nannies early in the pregnacy but give just before or right after they birth, so the babies will be covered, also. I was told many years ago by an old goat farmer that if you give it early pregnacy they may abort. I have never had a problem doing this, but have had a couple that just would not eat any thing that had the tobacco in. Tried donuts, feed, cookies but one of them would not take gel wormer either, he would eat a donut all around the gel and leave it.

  • nksunshine27
    nksunshine27 Posts: 343 ✭✭✭

    @RHV food grade diatomaceous earth is the best natural dewormer i found for every animal including humans. we used it on our sheep. we got one sheep and he had worms really bad do we mixed diatomaceous earth food grade in with thier loose salt and when the vet came back out to check him he was worm free and we didnt have to worry about them picking them up again while grazing

  • EarlKelly
    EarlKelly Posts: 230 ✭✭✭

    @RHV that is what we have treated our goats with for years. Never an issue. Love to use diatomaceous earth whenever I can. Good luck, we have a lot of issues in our county with worms being resistant to the worm medicines.

  • Hassena
    Hassena Posts: 345 ✭✭✭

    @RHV

    Hi RHV, we have goats. We use DE, in their stalls and free feed. However doing more research it seems DE isn't as effective once it's wet, like going through the digestive systems.

    We are using https://fiascofarm.com/herbs/ Molly's Herbals.

    This formula was also recommended. https://landofhavilahfarm.com/loh/product/parasite-formula/

    @bcabrobin how much and how often you give tobacco? Like a tablespoon daily for three days? weekly topping?

    Very intriguing...thanks for sharing.

  • Monek Marie
    Monek Marie Posts: 3,539 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Hassena Love the Mollys Herbal link. Thank you

    I am going to add new blood to my goat lines. I do pygmies and nigerian dwarfs. I'm doing research and taking the TGN goat class to pick up on any tips to make things move smoother.

    I really want to get as natural as I can raising them as I think this is why some goats have had issues more in recent years

    I'm also trying to design the easiest clean goat barn that I can. Life is too short to be shoveling S*#t anymore than need be

  • Megan Venturella
    Megan Venturella Posts: 678 ✭✭✭✭

    After reading Pat Coleby’s book on natural goat care I think low levels of copper have a lot to do with worm issues. We offer free choice copper sulfate along with dolomite, sulfur, kelp, loose minerals, and baking soda. After reading this thread I might just add DE to that list. People freak out if you mention copper sulfate, but if it’s given with dolomite it seems to be ok. I’d recommend the book for more specifics, but it was worth the purchase.

    I’m also keeping the goats off short grass. Goats can be so tough to get right!