13/04/2026
I've been attacked before for using natural deworming methods by people who have said I am irresponsible in my methods.
The reality is I actually do truck tonnes of research and the research is super clear chemical dewormers are not affective not only that, the more you use them the less they work.
I like to think I am ahead of the game by building a resilent herd without all the chemicals.
Have I used them in the past yes I have and I still have it sitting with all the other goat supplies just in case but its a band aid.
Here is what I have found to be most affective at preventing worm burdens. An important note is goats will always have some worms but its when there are too many it can become an issue.
1) Longer grass - Goats pick up most of the worms closest to the ground even if you are offering them their favourite treat if it drops on the dirt my goats will not eat it.
They know its the danger zone.
2) Adding on from this never feeding on the ground, and if your grass is low you need to buy in feed.
3) Rotational grazing and cover crops worm cycles last about 3 weeks so if a goat is eating and pooping in same area everyday this creates a big worm burden, having multispecies crops helps thrm get different minerals and nutrients
4) copper bollus worms dont like a copper environment I now do a bollus of 2.5g twice a year potentially moving this to 3 times a year
5) free range minerals I have 10 out and i'm going to bump up to 20
6) Clean shelters although its just a given for overall health
7) enough feed if goats have enough feed eg ad lib hay at night they wont eat in areas with worms eg low grass, if the only food they have is a worm infested paddock unfortunately thats all they can do
8) I also use bioworma in feed, homeopaths and essential oils
Last of all its monitoring your goats.
Goats dont die of worms over night but they can in a few days.
daily checks of famacha and body checks eg weight is fine, healthy poos. The famacha check which is under the eye lids shows if a goat is anaemic if they are there is a high possibility worms could be the cause.
