FAMACHA
What is FAMACHA? It stands for FAffa MAlan CHArt, and is a method of testing for determining parasite loads in goats and sheep so that we can know when to treat them. You learned in the last section about the deadliest parasite, The Barberpole. This is the only reasonable way that we can combat this horrible parasite, and if done regularly, you will be able to save many lives.
FAMACHA testing takes two things: practice and persistence, and both go hand in hand. If we practice being persistent about testing our goats regularly, we can prevent the barberpole from taking over. As stated in the previous section, the barberpole worm causes anemia in goats, which is usually the first sign of infestation and what sets the goat spiraling towards its eventual death. I don't mean to scare, but then I do...because it's just that serious.
Some people like to make it seem that FAMACHA testing is difficult and that you need to be formally trained in order to use it. Honestly, FAMACHA is a very simple method of observing and recording the color of the individual goats mucous membranes. The inside lower lid of the eye is the easiest and most available to check, and that is where the testing is done. The other areas to watch include the gums and inside the mouth, and the perineal area (around the anus in bucks, around the anus and vulva in does). The eyes give the best, most accurate reading.
The FAMACHA scorecord below CAN BE used as a guide to check the goats score, but a STRONG WORD OF CAUTION. It is less important to know the actual score on the card than it is to know what your goats membranes look like when they have no worm load (i.e. are healthy). A perfectly healthy parasite-free member of your herd might never obtain a FAMACHA score of 1 (Optimal) if that color is not normal for her. That being said, it's most important to check your goats membranes regularly, and catch any changes in the color before it becomes a problem. Check often!
What is FAMACHA? It stands for FAffa MAlan CHArt, and is a method of testing for determining parasite loads in goats and sheep so that we can know when to treat them. You learned in the last section about the deadliest parasite, The Barberpole. This is the only reasonable way that we can combat this horrible parasite, and if done regularly, you will be able to save many lives.
FAMACHA testing takes two things: practice and persistence, and both go hand in hand. If we practice being persistent about testing our goats regularly, we can prevent the barberpole from taking over. As stated in the previous section, the barberpole worm causes anemia in goats, which is usually the first sign of infestation and what sets the goat spiraling towards its eventual death. I don't mean to scare, but then I do...because it's just that serious.
Some people like to make it seem that FAMACHA testing is difficult and that you need to be formally trained in order to use it. Honestly, FAMACHA is a very simple method of observing and recording the color of the individual goats mucous membranes. The inside lower lid of the eye is the easiest and most available to check, and that is where the testing is done. The other areas to watch include the gums and inside the mouth, and the perineal area (around the anus in bucks, around the anus and vulva in does). The eyes give the best, most accurate reading.
The FAMACHA scorecord below CAN BE used as a guide to check the goats score, but a STRONG WORD OF CAUTION. It is less important to know the actual score on the card than it is to know what your goats membranes look like when they have no worm load (i.e. are healthy). A perfectly healthy parasite-free member of your herd might never obtain a FAMACHA score of 1 (Optimal) if that color is not normal for her. That being said, it's most important to check your goats membranes regularly, and catch any changes in the color before it becomes a problem. Check often!
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FAMACHA Scorecard Click on the image to download 
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On my farm, most of my animals stay in the 2 (Acceptable) score when they are healthy. Because I know my goats' healthy scores, as a rule I only deworm them when they hit about 3.5 (between Borderline and Dangerous). If they are in this range I generally dose once and then recheck in ten days. Depending on their scores after the first dose, I may dose again. If they are a 4 or 5 range I use the full dose schedule for 30 days and recheck. For medication and dosing information, visit the Controlling Parasites page.
IMPORTANT: I no longer recommend a maintenance dose of dewormer. Please do not use a dewormer if it's not necessary! Many worms become resistant to the dewormers we have used because their life cycles are short and they EVOLVE very quickly and adjust and adapt to things that are meant to harm them. This makes it very hard for the animal medicine producers to keep up with the ever changing landscape of what works and what doesn't. For now, (or until the worms "get smart" again) I've given you the best information I have on which dewormers to use and their effective dosages. |
On a side note:
I was once asked to give my opinion on the theory of a FAMACHA phone app that a research facility was thinking about developing to help people check their goats FAMACHA scores. I agreed that it would be great to have a mobile app with the scorecard, but told them that it would be MUCH more useful if the app was able to record and track the scores you record for each goat. The researcher had honestly never thought of that. So if that ever happens...just know that that was MY IDEA! HA!
Enough about diseases, and parasites and medications...Let's move on to Toxic & Poisonous Plants!
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