Parasite Resistance & Resilience
In the Spring of 2019, we decided to halt the use of synthetic drugs in combating haemonchus contortus (barberpole worm) on our farm. We believe that by not administering medical aid, we will be able to more clearly see the natural process of selection. This has made it much easier to single out and cull the infected stock, thus strengthening our herd. It insures us to keep to the breed standard as it was intended to be by sticking to this hard and fast rule.
We use our microscope before the breeding season to check and measure fecal worm loads. This is the only way to truly know a herd's parasite resistance. Rank of each doe's fecal egg count (FEC) gives us great insight into which lines should be considered of higher value and retained for further breeding.
We use our microscope before the breeding season to check and measure fecal worm loads. This is the only way to truly know a herd's parasite resistance. Rank of each doe's fecal egg count (FEC) gives us great insight into which lines should be considered of higher value and retained for further breeding.
Under our microscope, can you spot the Barberpole egg?
Not to be confused with resistance, parasite resilience is a goat's capability of performance with a worm load instead of it's ability to resist gaining a worm load. Resilience is also just as important but in much different respects. The Famacha Scoring System for example is a great way to determine the level of resilience by theoretically checking the level of anemia and iron fatigue due to parasites. Although the Famacha Scoring System is a great way to determine resilience, it is not necessarily checking resistance (although it can be used as an indicator). We check Famachas when hooves are trimmed twice a year. We also give each of our goats COWP (copper oxide wire particles) as a required mineral that aids as an anti-parasitic supplement.