If there’s anything that will scare you away from owning goats…
It’s the thought of a worm infestation inside that adorable goat you’ve been cuddling. Just the thought of needing a goat dewormer icked me out. Trust me, I was there. But when you think about it, any animal that you bring into your home has the potential of contracting worms or some form of parasite. Heck, even you could contract one.
The good news about goats & worms is that humans can’t contract the worms that a goat has.
The bad news about goats & worms is that an infestation can really harm the health of your goat.
So, what can you do to make sure you’ve got healthy goats you’re raising? It’s simple, just use a natural goat dewormer and your goats will be good as new!
Symptoms of Worms in Goats
- pale gums
- abnormal stools (diarrhea or stools that are clumped together)
- dull coat
- lethargic
- low weight
Chemical vs. Natural Goat Dewormers
Because goats spend a good portion of their day with their noses to the ground, and are often touching their feces, the facts are that they will always have a certain level of worms inside of them, there’s just no way to completely get rid of them — even if you were to douse them with chemicals. Another problem with using chemical dewormers is that parasites have begun to develop a resistance to them. Our vet recommends herbal deworming with chemical deworming as a backup. Just an FYI, a chemical dewormer is usually given twice a year, while a natural one is usually given once a week to once a month.
Some other things that can really help support your goat’s digestive tract and get rid of worms is feeding hay (the long stems help keep the rumen happy), pumpkin seeds (worms hate these!), and incorporating some pasture rotation in your goat’s routine to stop the cycle or re-infestation. If you can’t pasture rotate, then be sure to keep their pens clean. Some people also feed their goats DE (diatomaceous earth), but I strongly caution in this, I have known goats that inhale the DE powder when eating it and it has caused permanent lung damage.
A Caution with the Chemical Method
If you decide to go the chemical route, you need to make sure and toss the milk of the goat for a week, as it isn’t safe to consume. (With the natural method, the milk is safe to drink:) Also, be sure not to overdo it on the chemical dewormers, and be sure to check if it’s safe for pregnant goats.
Our Herbal Goat Dewormer Method
If you’re new to the world of herbal deworming, or if you haven’t given a dewormer in a while, it’s best to give them a dose every day for 7-10 days, then run a fecal test through your vet or through Meadow Mist Labs. If the numbers have gone down, but are not gone, keep going a couple times weekly for a month, then re-test. Your goal is to figure out (through the fecal tests), how often your goats need to be dewormed. For some, it’s every week, for others it’s once a month. We live in Arizona, a very arid climate, which means we have very low worms counts to begin with. Because of this, we noticed we only need to de-worm once a month.
When you run a “fecal test”, the technician will usually look for what they call a “healthy” amount of worms, which means that when they take a sample and peer at it through a microscope, they’ll see a few here or there, and will give your goat a clean bill of health as long as the numbers aren’t incredibly high.
I used to use Molly’s Dewormer, but Hannah from The Giving Goat turned me onto Land of Havilah’s parasite formula which works better and is easier to dose. This herbal formula covers strongyle, barberpole, hookworm, tapeworm, threadworm, threadneckworm, and lungworm. It also helps control coccidia (the main culprit behind scours in goats), but if you’re having particular trouble with it (which is common with young kids), you follow the instructions from Hannah’s blog here…
At 3-4 weeks of age, the battle with parasites begins. Coccidia is a protozoan parasite; it lives in almost all goats, but in very few numbers, so it does not cause issues with a functioning immune system. In kids, their immune system is not fully developed, so they are extremely susceptible to coccidia. I recommend having kids on a natural coccidia prevention via natural dewormers. The two herbal blends I recommend are GI Soother and DWA from Fir Meadow LLC. I use GI Soother to target coccidia, and DWA for most other parasites. These two formulas can be started at 4 days old, and will give you a head start on parasite management and immune support. Your job at this age is to watch closely for signs of parasites or illnesses. ~ The Giving Goat
The dosage
On the Land of Havilah’s parasite formula packaging is the correct dosing for the weight of your goat. You can buy this handy weight tape to determine that.
Basically you’ll mix the herbal formula with water (I also like to add a tsp of honey to make it more palatable) and then use a drench gun like this one to give to each of your goats. You do have to wrangle them a bit, but I make sure to do it when I have them on the stand monthly for their hoof trimming — makes the process SO much easier.
Here’s a video below of what it looks like to give your goat an herbal dewormer.
Testing for Worm Infestation in Goats
You can test for worms by bringing a sample in for inspection at a vet’s lab or sending to Meadow Mist Labs. You can also learn how to do your own fecal testing on your goats by following the tutorial HERE.
You will need to stock up on supplies like a microscope and slides, but this might be a good option for you, especially if you have a large amount of goats:)
Deworming other Animals in your Home Naturally
Deworming other Animals in your Home NaturallyThe best part about using an herbal mix as your natural method of deworming is that it is safe for the other animals in your home, too! (not for human consumption, though:) For our chickens we like to take a scoop and mix it in with their grain. With our dogs, we roll it in a bit of peanut butter and feed it to them that way to get every animal on the farm dewormed naturally.
Does anyone know if a pregnant or nursing woman drink the milk of her goat while the goat is on this dewormer?
There are some herbs in this mixture that by itself are not safe for pregnancy. Not sure how much of this is actually getting into the goat’s milk since during monthly or even weekly maintenance, it’s such a small dose!
Thanks
Hi Allison-
It would be best to talk to your doctor about the specific herbs and see if they are safe. If they are unsure, then I would recommend not drinking the milk.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Can this be used on pregnant goats? I have been using the molly’s herbals and I know that the formula 1 should not be used during pregnancy but formula 2 is fine.
Hello-
On Havilah’s website for this product it does say you can use it with pregnant does. https://landofhavilahfarm.com/loh/product/parasite-formula/
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Thank you!
I see that you said this isn’t for human consumption, but can you please tell me why not?
Hello-
DaNelle cannot suggest this for human consumption because the products that go into are not labeled for human consumption.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I was also wondering if I would do it the same way if I had a goat in milk and if I would not be able to use the milk while giving her the mixture.
Hello-
With a natural dewormer you can use the milk. A chemical dewormer often has a withdrawal time.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Thanks for your reply! I was wondering about the doses. So it says on the package 1/2 a teaspoon for my goat X2 a day for 3-6 days then 1-2 times a week. Danelle said that she gives it 1 time a month when she clips her goats hooves. Right? I am a bit confused.
Hello-
Yes, follow the package directions. She does give it on a monthly basis, unless she finds they need it more often. It really depends on the individual goat, their health, and worm load.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I was just making sure I got the dosing right, lol. My goat is 20-75 lbs so I would giver her a half a teaspoon two times a day for 3-6 days and then only 1-2 times a week after that. right? Danelle said that she does it once a month? I think? I am kinda confused….
Hello-
Yes, that’s the dosing. Always following the suggested dosing on the packaging. When you buy Land of Havilah’s products they give you access to an online class to learn how to properly deworm. Watch it and it will help.
Natural dewormers can be given weekly or monthly depending on your goat’s worm load. Fecal tests will help determine that.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi, ok I have 6 does and I’m milking them. One has pale gums , coughing. Poop not normal. I order everything you recommend. For now should I give my girls safeguard? Just took their kids away. I fracture my ankle and just started coming around. I need all the advice please . Their Saanen. Ty
Hi Jackie-
You can give them a chemical dewormer as long as you follow the recommendations on the package for dose and time to discard the milk.
As for the coughing and abnormal feces this could be signs of other diseases such as respiratory issues, pneumonia, coccidiosis, etc. Your goats need to be seen by a vet to properly diagnosis and treat them.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi – I love watching your videos … but if you want to have your goats willingly ( I mean REALLY willing:) take their wormer – I make herb balls with GI soother (honey plus herbs) the kids start at 1 week old and try to take my fingers off after the first dose! I do fecals myself and I rarely see worm eggs at all! Thanks!
I’d love to hear your recipe for the herb balls. Anything to make deworming more pleasant would be welcome.
Hello, first time NDG owners here. Our 3 little castrated males come home in a couple weeks, I know cinnamon is supposed to be another natural ingredient for deworming but didn’t find anything in my searches that says if it’s safe to give to goats… would you happen to know if cinnamon is safe for a goat to have? Thanks!
Hi Jenn-
Yes, goats can have cinnamon.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Are pumpkin seeds and almonds safe for pregnant goats?
Hi April-
Yes you can, just don’t over do it.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello I am currently using this for my goats and love it. But I have a seven week old puppy that I suspect has worms that was supposedly given one worming treatment… not quite sure how true that is… so I was wondering if it would be a good idea to try this for him. Or is he too young? And if you do think it’s a good option, do you just add the herbal mix (which one #1 or #2?) and peanut butter? Or do you add the d.e. as well? Thanks for your help and great post!
Hi Brandi-
DaNelle uses the same deworming smoothie she gives the goats to deworm her dogs.
You can use it on the puppy, as most deworming guides suggest beginning deworming at 2 weeks with a full program in place by 8 weeks. However, it would be best to test your puppy for worms first to know exactly what you’re dealing with. And if you do deworm him make sure to keep an eye on him and watch for any adverse affects.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi…
I use Molly’s Herbals for our goats on a continuous 6 week schedule…
* 3 days of #1 the 1st week then…
* 1 day of #2 each week for the next 5 weeks then…back to #1 and so on.
When looking at your Smoothie Recipe (very interesting)…I see Formula #1…Formula #2 and several other ingredients. So, for clarification…you MIX the formulas (and all other listed ingredients) and drench your goats with “all of it” 1x/week rather than separate weeks like Molly outlines on her bags of #1 and #2..? Would those amounts of ingredients be the same for Nigerian Dwarfs or would they need to be modified..? (seems like A LOT of stuff to pump into them at one time)
Thanks! : )
Hi Hope-
DaNelle’s recipe is what she uses for her NDs.
She gives the smoothie with Formula 1 in it, not every week, but more often than 6-8 weeks (as the packed instructs) if she feels like they need it. It is advised not to give Formula 1 to pregnant does. You should run fecal tests to know what your goats’ worm load is and deworm accordingly.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
How much pumpkin seed would you feed a goat to deworm them?
Hi Steve-
In this article it talks about how DaNelle gives her goats pumpkin seeds. https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
While they are helpful with reducing parasite populations (and boosting nutrition), they should not be relied upon as the main or only dewormer for your goat.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi I’m wondering if this is still the dewormer you use and if you still give it to them weekly. Trying to figure out what to give my goats.
Hi Kalle-
Yes, DaNelle uses this dewormer weekly.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
We are picking up our first two goat girls in a couple weeks. They will be 8 and 10 weeks old. Do you recommend this same dosing for them? Start with the “loading dose” and then go to weekly?
Hi Chrissy-
I would give about half the dose for the little ones and increase it as they gain weight. Exact dosing isn’t as critical with the natural dewormer as it would be for a chemical one.
Thank you – Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Thank you!
So we would do that 1/2 dose for the first three days they are home and then once weekly?
And then progress to the full dose as they reach their adult size?
You guys are a great resource! Thank you for all the help!
Hi Chrissy-
Yep, you got it!
Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi
I have a 2 week old bottle baby buck.
He has not had any dewormer or vaccines.
I want to do the natural dewormer on him. What dosage should I give. He is 10lbs. And what age should I give first vaccine??
Hi Michelle-
You can start deworming him after 3 weeks and give him a quarter the adult dose and increase it as he gains weight.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
So to use the Molly’s I would have to mix the herbs into a smoothie? I can’t just sprinkle it into my goats grain?
Hi Stephanie-
You can administer it to your goats however works best for you. DaNelle finds the smoothie is her best option plus provides some other benefits to her goats. Just be sure to follow any recommendations, instructions, or warnings on the packaging.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi,
Do you have the recipe for the natural goat dewormer?
Hi Ellen-
Here’s the recipe:
? DEWORMING SMOOTHIE RECIPE:
– 2 tsp. Molly’s Herbal Dewormer Formula #1: https://www.fiascofarm.com/herbs/mollysherbals.php
– 2 TBS. Molly’s Herbal Dewormer Formula #2 : https://www.fiascofarm.com/herbs/mollysherbals.php
– 1 TBS. diatomaceous earth
– 2 TBS. molasses
– 1 TBS. probiotic paste
– 10 drops doTERRA’s DigestZen blend : https://www.weedemandreap.com/doterra/
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
How many doses for an adult goat does this yield? I have 7 goats so wanna make sure I make enough in one batch. Also can you make a months worth at one time?
Hi Jamie-
I suggest making the smoothie recipe fresh each time. As for dosing, looking at what is recommended by Molly’s Herbals, which suggests 1 Tablespoon for larger goats and 2 teaspoons for Miniature Goats (of the herbal mixes), the smoothie could be given to 2-3 larger goats or 4 mini goats.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
How long does one recipe last? We are getting 3 ND’s and 2 kune kune pigs.
Hi Sonya-
I would make a fresh batch each time you are going to deworm your animals.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I can’t find the dose amount anywhere. I have a Nigerian that gave birth yesterday. She’s about 60 pounds.
Hi Stefanie-
There are dosing instructions on the package for the herbal mix. As for the smoothie, give about 1/4 of a dosing syringe for the baby (increase dose as they increase in weight) and 1/2 of a dosing syringe for the doe (if you don’t get that exact measurement it isn’t a big deal, just get close enough).
Best of luck with your goats!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I am a new goat mom and I have 3 10 week old doeing. I want to start the all natural dewormer. I see that you need to give them 3 days worth in a row then once a week. Do I give them the smoothie mixture 3 days in a row and how much should I give them? Thanks
Hi Shannon-
Congrats on being a new goat mama!
Yep, you give them the smoothie mixture three days in a row. For dosing there should be directions on the package of the herbal dewormer, but a good rule of thumb would be about 1/2 teaspoon per doeling. As for the mix, it ends up being about 1/4 of a dosing syringe and then increase the amount as they increase in weight.
Best of luck and Happy Goating!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Do you give them both formula 1 and 2 weekly after you do the 3 days in a row. Is the smoothie recipe just for 1 goat or multiples. If multiples how much of the recipe do I give a young doeing. Thanks.
Hi Shannon-
Just mix up the smoothie recipe as suggested and give it to them weekly after the first initial 3 days. A kid will need about 1/4 of a dosing syringe.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi Elinda-
Welcome!
Here’s the recipe:
DEWORMING SMOOTHIE RECIPE:
– 2 tsp. Molly’s Herbal Dewormer Formula #1: https://www.fiascofarm.com/herbs/mollysherbals.php
– 2 TBS. Molly’s Herbal Dewormer Formula #2 : https://www.fiascofarm.com/herbs/mollysherbals.php
– 1 TBS. diatomaceous earth
– 2 TBS. molasses
– 1 TBS. probiotic paste
– 10 drops doTERRA’s DigestZen blend: https://www.weedemandreap.com/doterra/
Thanks and I hope it works out for you!
-Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Would this work for sheep? and lambs
Hi Kirsten-
Yes, this would work for sheep and lambs.
Thanks! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I am curious as to why you give the #1 formula and the #2 formulas together every week.
The directions for Molly’s Herbal Wormer is to use #1 every 4 weeks and #2 in-between.
Do you know something we don’t?
Also, do you give the #1 with wormed to your pregnant does?
Hi Meghan-
DaNelle does not give Formula 1 every week, but more often than 6-8 weeks if she feels the goats need it. It is advised not to give Formula 1 to pregnant does.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi, Danelle! I’ve been following you on Youtube for a little over a year and have used your dewormer recipe on my goats since we got them last March. I have never had a vet check them for anything until last week when we scheduled ultrasounds (Yay!! Baby goats on the way in April!!) and just a general physical. I just wanted to say this stuff is AMAZING! Our vet called with the results and said she was shocked that they had a NEGATIVE worm load! I actually was, too, as I haven’t been as faithful to use the dewormer as I ought. I will say that I somehow got totally confused and purchased dewormer from Molly’s Herbals and Fir Meadow both, so I just replaced the Molly’s Formula 1 with the Fir Meadow. We are so excited that the natural route is working and wanted to say thank you for posting!
Hi Monica-
Congrats on your new baby goats that will be coming soon!
So glad the dewormer is working so well for you! Keep up the good work of caring for your goats!
Best wishes!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi there,
This is not a question about worms but about external parasites. I was wondering if you had any experience in treating goats for lice. We have five adults, two of which are does in milk and three 1 month old kids. We are not wanting to use chemicals on them if we don’t have to. It’s still pretty cold here in Ohio, so I don’t want to shave them. We’ve had a tremendously wet winter with lots of flooding. We’ve only been able to change out bedding once this winter due to weather conditions. We love and use products from Fir Meadow, but I didn’t see anything on her website about treatment for lice. I thought I’d check with you to see if you have any recommendations since you have also been a great resource for us on our goat adventures 🙂
Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.
Bethanie
Hi Bethanie-
This spray can help get rid of lice: https://www.weedemandreap.com/homemade-fly-spray-recipe/
You can spray it on the bedding and the goats. You can even use the recommended TerraShield EO mix to add to your goats’ shampoo and use it to wash your goats to get rid of lice (weather permitting). (You can also use neem oil for this too.) If you can’t wash your goats you can also add the TerraShield or neem oil to olive or coconut oil and rub onto your goats.
I hope that helps! Best of luck with your goats!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I saw that the recipe calls for a doTerra blend. I happen to use Young Living ? the blends look similar but does YL Digize look like it would be okay?
Hi Jordyn-
Yes, I think the Digize is similar enough to the DigestZen to substitute one for the other in the smoothie.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
How much of the smoothie are you giving each goat?
Hi Jordyn-
Each goat gets about half of a large dosing syringe. For dosing of the actual herbal mix check out the packaging or go to their website linked in the article.
Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi,
A natural dewormer sounds amazing, but I wanted to ask if there have been a scientific testing done with this method to further prove its effectiveness? It’s just making this smoothie is some what expensive to make and feed weekly I just want to make sure it’s a safe and effective way to keep my goat healthy.
Thank you!
Hi Brianna-
If you’d like to read about some the effectiveness and safety of the Fir Meadow products check out their link here:
https://www.firmeadowllc.com/store/p91/Herb_Mix_DWorm_A_™_16_oz.html
Also here is an interesting article on oregano oil just as food for thought: https://projects.sare.org/project-reports/one08-088/
As for cost I find it cheaper in the long run because there is no withdrawal time and I don’t lose any milking time or have to dump milk.
I hope that helps!
Thank you -Bobbi
Hi! Where do you buy the ProMax?
Hi Monica-
You can find it here: https://www.jefferspet.com/products/promax-multi-80cc
Also, if you want to try the other one from Jeffers recommended on the “Resource” page click here and look under “Raing Animals”:
https://www.weedemandreap.com/resources/
I hope that helps!
Thank you -Bobbi(DaNelle’s Assistant)
im confused about the goat smoothie–do you do this weekly and skip the 3 days in a row with wormer #1 and then weekly with #2 and just do the combo smoothie for all ages weekly? (mollys wormer) That would simply things a lot. please let me know.
Hi Whitney-
When you first begin to worm your goats give it to them 3 days in a row. After that, just worm once a week. The recipe given is to mix them all together in the smoothie. I hope that helps.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Is there any dewormer that you can just put in their water?
Hi Sandy-
The dewormer suggested in the article comes in powder form. You can just mix it into the goats water. However, the goats don’t like drinking it (or eating it if you’ve made a paste). You really need to use a syringe or drencher to give it to them. Best of luck.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
You said it is good for dogs also. How often do you give it to dogs?
Hey Tamara-
If you are giving it to dogs, do so about once a month. Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
What is your take on the Famacha scoring practice? I had never heard of it until today. I am currently researching everything I can associated with owning dairy goats, specifically Nigerian Dwarf goats. One of my stipulations before bringing goats home is for there to be someone I can breed with who lives less than 2 hours away. I finally found someone today, but his biggest issue is that he won’t allow any goat to be introduced to his herd who has been on a regular de-wormer. He practices the Famacha method of only giving de-wormer to his goats if they show signs of needing it so they don’t develop resistance and so they learn to build up their own natural resistance to certain strains of worms/parasites. The goats I am looking to purchase have already been on a de-wormer, but if he is my only choice for breeding with, I may go this Famacha route. I am wondering how the herbal remedy compares to the chemical one when it comes to resistance. Any thoughts you can offer would be most appreciated!
Hi Katrina-
I’ve known a few people who have practiced FAMACHA Scoring and it has worked well for them. I do know you have check your herd’s health on consistent and often basis. Fecal tests are a great method to use along with watching for visible health signs of parasite infestation, such as anemia, etc. Also, working in proper pasture rotation will help keep you goats from becoming overrun by parasites. Herbal deworming is a much more natural process and the worms do not build up a resistance to it, plus its great because it won’t disrupt your milking schedule. I hope that helps. Best of luck and Happy Goating! Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello, Just wondering when you start new kids on this regime and at what age?
Hi James-
When to begin worming your goats depends on if you have issues with worms or not. If you know your herd has been battling parasites you can begin worming kids as young as 2 weeks with a natural goat dewormer (chemical dewormers should be done, at the earliest, at 9 weeks of age). If you don’t have a problem with parasites, and you keep a close eye on your herd, you can wait until 6+ months. It’s best to do a fecal test as described in the article so you know if it’s time to worm or not. I hope that helps. Happy Goating! Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi Kacie-
Here’s the recipe. Sorry it wasn’t up before.
? DEWORMING SMOOTHIE RECIPE:
– 2 tsp. Molly’s Herbal Dewormer Formula #1: https://www.fiascofarm.com/herbs/mollysherbals.php
– 2 TBS. Molly’s Herbal Dewormer Formula #2 : https://www.fiascofarm.com/herbs/mollysherbals.php
– 1 TBS. diatomaceous earth
– 2 TBS. molasses
– 1 TBS. probiotic paste
– 10 drops doTERRA’s DigestZen blend : https://www.weedemandreap.com/doterra/
Thanks and I hope it works out for you!
-Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Any recommendations on what paste to get?
ProMax is a good brand to try.
I almost have all the ingredients for the dewormer, but I was wondering how much to feed each goat I only have 2 doelings that are 10 weeks old so about 17lbs a piece
For dosing there should be directions on the package of the herbal dewormer but a good rule of thumb would be about 1/2 teaspoon per doeling.
If i have given my nanny a chemical wormer How long do I have to wait to start them on the wormwood herbal formula? These guys are first time freshners with nursings kids
Hi Lynn-
It depends on the wormer they were given and can range from 2-6 months. Often you can look at the wormer instructions and see when it tells you to worm again. When it’s time to give them the chemical wormer, start them on the natural dewormer schedule instead. Also, keep a check on your goats’ health and if they look like they need to be wormed sooner, start them on the natural goat dewormer then. I hope that helps! Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I want able to find the dewormer smoothie recipe in the description box 🙁 where can I find it?
I just ordered some of the dewormer you suggested and then got to reading on her other products and I must say I’d like to have them all!!! I did order her salve for booboos. But the testimonies were awesome, thanks for sharing all that you do!
Hi Kacie-
I am glad you like the products. Let’s us know how the ones you got work out for you. Thanks for reading and posting! Happy Goating! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Have you treated meningeal worms in goats? We believe we have a goat down with this. We live in the Northwest where it is wet and lots of white-tail deer in the area.
Hi Laurie-
Prevention and treatment of meningeal worms is very difficult, although prevention is a much better route than having to treat for it.
The only way I have treated goats with meningeal worms is with high doses of injectable Ivermectin (not paste or pour-on) for 3-4 days. This was followed up by Safeguard for 5 days. An anti-inflammatory should be given as well. The treatment of this type of worm is one I do use chemical methods on, and do so aggressively, because once your goat is down, its chances of recovery are slim, plus neurological damage can occur and remain permanent, and does can also abort (although note treatment may cause this as well). Involving your vet, if you suspect meningeal worms, is a choice I would make.
As for prevention try to keep your goats from grazing in swampy and ponded areas (any where the snails and slugs would live) and also away from where deer bed down. Sprinkling diatomaceous earth around can help, just don’t let your goats inhale it, as it can cause lung damage. Keep your goats on a regular deworming schedule and keep them healthy. A healthy goat is always less susceptible.
I hope this helps. Best of luck with your herd. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I have a quick question. We have two does that surprised us last night by kidding. Three healthy doelings! These are our first goat kids and since we were totally off on there due dates we weren’t prepared with everything. I read you are recommended to deworm the doe 1 day after birthing and the kids 4 days after birth. I will not be able to get the herbal dewormer that quickly. I have safe-guard dewormer for goats but it says not to use on lactating goats. What would you do for worming in this case?
Hi Meredith-
I apologize that I didn’t get you a response sooner. However, to follow up, here are my thoughts and what I personally do in this situation. First off, the safeguard you do have, make sure it is intended for goats and not another animal, as dosing can be an issue. Also know, that many goats do not seem to be helped by safeguard, as the parasites seem to be resistant (this is why the herbal route is so beneficial). As for the lactating caution, I have heard both arguments: One,that it is safe to give a nursing doe as long as the milk is not intended for human consumption. Two: don’t even give it to the doe, even if she is just has kids nursing.
And well, I am a nervous nelly (is that spelled correctly?) when it comes to my kids. So, what I have done (because I have been caught in a bad spot too), is once I got another batch of my natural goat wormer, I began to worm. While not ideal, it still worked out just fine. If your doe is strong and healthy to begin with, her body can hold up and she can take care of her kids. I can’t stress how important continuous proper care of your goats is. We all have little hiccups in life, and so we need to have done our due diligence (i.e. proper care, feeding, stress reduction) before the doe was even pregnant and gave birth, and we, and our lovely goats will sail through the hiccups just fine. So if you find that for any reason you cannot worm naturally after birth, just do it ASAP. I always believe natural is much better than chemical, especially when the chemical ones don’t seem to work anyway and have many harmful side effects. I really hope your mama and babies are doing well. Let me know about their progress and keep up the good work my fellow goater! -Bobbi
I just came across this blog and I am in love! I am a new goat mom and constantly learning new things! Your blog is a live saver! I may have missed this part in the blog/video but how much does each goat get? Or do you just squirt a little in everyone’s mouth?
Hi Kristy-
That’s great you are new goat mom! Yay!!
When I worm my goats with a natural dewormer I am not overly worried about an exact correct dosage. However, a general guideline is to dose by weight. I usually do something similar to the following:
Week 1:
5# = 0.75 mL x 2/day
10# = 1.25mL x 2/day
20# = 2.5mL x 2/day
75# = 3.75mL x 2/day
100# = 5mL x 2/day
150# = 7.50mL x 2/day
200# = 10mL/ x 2/day
250# = 12.5mL x 2/day
300# = 15mL x 2/day
After week 1 I give the same doses but just 1x/day. That’s just my general rule of thumb for general neural dewormers.
However, DaNelle mentions in the article the “feed them the herbal mix according to the instructions on the packaging. (Initially you’ll feed every day for 3 days, then after that just once per week)”. So if you get the mix just do as the packaging says.
I hope this helps! Best wishes and Happy Goating! -Bobbi
Milk withdrawal for chemical dewormers varies based upon the specific dewormer but also in the way it is administered. For example, if one particular drug is given orally, the milk withdrawal is three weeks, but if it’s injected, the withdrawal is more than two months! Very few have a withdrawal of only a week, although there is one that has no withdrawal. In other words, people need to check for each particular drug. Many can be found at farad.org, which is kept up to date by four universities.
Hi Deborah-
Great point about the withdrawal and method of administration. Thank you so much for reading and sharing this great information! -Bobbi
Hi DaNelle,
I love your blog! I live in Northern Canada and hope to retire soon so I can spend all my time on my little hobby farm. I have been learning loads from your tutorials! I am a first time goat mama! I have had two Nigerian dwarf goats for two years and this weekend we successfully helped ( they didn’t need much help!) them deliver their first babies. Little twin bucklings and a single little doeling. Penny and Luna were champs! I just read your article about naturally deworming goats. I would like to do this with the smoothie you showed but I can’t seem to find the recipe. My goats, like yours, will not take Molly’s herbals wormer in any form I have tried. I would really appreciate the recipe if you can pass it on. Thanks so much and keep the info coming ?
Hi Lisa! It’s in the description of the youtube video:)
Do you have a recommended dosage for the smoothie?
For dosing there should be directions on the package of the herbal dewormer but a good rule of thumb would be about 1/2 teaspoon for a smaller goat (under 20 lbs) and about 1.5 teaspoons for bigger goats. Hope this helps. Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi! While using this type of deworming how often do you get the fecal samples in to the vet for testing? Resultswise – are your goats usually found to be clear of ova? If not, what deworming protocol do you follow?
Hi Shelly,
Goats are never completely free from ova, but deworming them regularly can keep the levels low. We do fecal testing about once per year, but living in the desert, worms aren’t a big problem here.
We use Molly’s Herbs, but mix up the herbs , oat flour and molasses to makes balls with the correct dose. I make a big batch and freeze them. So easy to administer because the goats go absolutely crazy for them!
Would you mind posting the recipe and how to instructions including dosage amounts? Thanks so much!
Oh! I forgot, I had another question. So our yard space is shared by all our animals, including our dogs when we let them out. The dogs eat the sheep poop which I know, isn’t actually bad for them but it’s just kinda gross b/c they want to snuggle with us with their poop mouths! =P Do you know if there is any natural ingredient that would be safe to give the sheep/goats so the poop would be unappealing to the dogs?
We do feed our goats and sheep herbs like garlic — maybe that would deter them?
How do you administer the garlic? Mix it with the smoothie or separately and what would be the dosage and how often? Thanks!
Hi Wendi-
You can put whole cloves of garlic out for your goats. They will eat what they want and I’ve never seen them overdose on it. Although, if your goats don’t seem to want to eat the garlic, or you just want to make sure they are getting a dose of it, you can put a couple of cloves into the smoothie and administer it that way. And if you are doing the smoothie that should be done once a week as a dewormer and that works for the garlic dosing too. Do note though that garlic can affect the taste of their milk. I hope that helps.
Thanks and Happy Goating! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hey there! I just recently found your blog and love it! I’m a new farm animal owner and have two sheep and will be getting my first two goats in a couple weeks! I just ordered this herbal dewormer. So, your saying you use it year round once a week to prevent, right? You don’t wait until they have worms, is that correct?
Hi Jessica,
Congrats! Yes, we use it year round as a preventative measure.
Would someone let me know how much of the garlic mixed with oil. I need a ratio to give to goats.
Hello! I am about to acquire two pregnant mini lamancha goats, both due at the end of April. I live in Southern Michigan, and I would like to order some of this. Do you have a way to gauge how much of this wormer you go through every month per goat? Is this something you order monthly/bi-monthly or do you just stock up with a certain amount? I am unsure about how much we need to have on hand and how long it will last with the kids as well!
Thank you!
Hi Julianne,
It usually lasts me an entire year. We treat them weekly, but it’s a very small amount (roughly a tsp. each doe)
Hi Danelle! We are about to embark on this goat adventure! I am so thankful I found your site. I am going to buy some dewormer from your link today!
How much would you use for a Nigerian Dwarf goat?
The same amount as other goats:)
How have you been most successful getting the goats to consume the proper amount? We’ve tried it mixed in their feed with a little olive oil. We’ve also tried it mixed with some honey. Sometimes they eat it all and sometimes they pick at it and I’m worried they aren’t getting a full dose.
Hi Elizabeth,
Some goats are picky and dislike herbal dewormers, so I’d suggest making a drench. We mix the dewormer with a bit of honey water, then take a syringe and insert it into their mouth to administer. Hope this helps!
We did this today and we managed to get a good portion of the dose down. While we also ended up with quite a bit on us too, I think with a little practice this will be a better way to make sure our picky girls and healthy. Thanks for the tip!
We did this today and we managed to get a good portion of the dose down. While we also ended up with quite a bit on us too, I think with a little practice this will be a better way to make sure our picky girls are healthy. Thanks for the tip!
Do you feed this to the chickens and dog once a week also? Our pup was dewormed before we got her. Plan to have chickens, rabbits and goats come Spring. Should I feed them all the herbal dewormer once a week?
Hi Stephany, yes I do!
We use garlic as a good rotation wormer. We use on the horses and the goats. I buy the chopped up garlic in oil, add olive oil, puree it in the blender, adding olive oil, until it’s very smooth. And for the full size horses we do 60 cc’s in a syringe, the goats get 10 cc’s. It will give your milk a garlic flavor foe 2 days, if milking, but it’s awesome for so many things. Healthy coats, flushes the worms, great for hair growth, and our animals love it. I’ve been doing it for six yrs now. Plus if you have a lot of bugs, they won’t bother your animals, since they have garlic in their system. I also use apple cider vinegar in their stock tanks. Also a natural DE wormer, and helps repel bugs. We live where we have ticks and deer flies, and they don’t bother our animals with the acv. We love natural ways for both us, and our animals. So much safer. We use natural as much as we can 🙂
Thanks for the tip, Gina!
How often do you give the garlic? Is that daily, weekly or monthly?
I think most people do garlic weekly:)
How much garlic and how much olive oil?
Is there any difference between the herbal dewormer you recommend in this post versus the one you have recommended in previous posts?
They’re very similar, I just like this one because it’s a simpler dosage.
I am new here and can’t find your recipe for dewormer.
I’m not sure I’m leaving this question in the correct spot, I apologize. My question is this: I have a moma goat and her two twins (a boy and girl.) The boy was castrated as a baby because we only wanted the three, no babies. The twins are 8 years old now. Over the past few weeks the little girl has developed large, engorged, huge breasts. Soft to the touch, unsure if there’s milk because she won’t let me check. (They are soft, no signs of infection or inflammation.) I feel so sad for her. I have Googled it but cannot get an answer why, after all these years, she has suddenly developed a huge sack. (No chance of pregnancy)
Hi Regina,
They can have a phantom pregnancy or what they call a “maiden” pregnancy. But honestly hearing that she’s 8 years old puts up some red flags for me. If I were you I’d make a trip to the vet just to be sure:) Let me know how it goes!
Google precocious udder. Most people just leave it alone, and the goats reabsorb the milk, but I would buy some mastitis indicator cards off Jeffery’s to check for mastitis. They are like $5.
Are you regularly running fecals to monitor the parasite load? Do you use this wormer as not only a preventative, but also as a treatment? Although I have not used any herbal dewormers (yet), I have not heard good things about them being treatment, although a lot of people claim they are as a good preventative, but they treat with standard dewormers. I’d be curious to know what EPG reduction results you have had and are maintaining.
Also, what preventative treatment do you use for coccidia in your (goat) kids?
Oh, and chemical dewormers should not be given twice a year as a rule. You should only deworm when needed with the specific dewormer needed for the specific kind of worm infestation. Using the “wrong” dewormer builds resistance to it, and rotating/ overusing does as well. Different elements can cause a parasite bloom, like you said, and only deworming 2x a year could be deadly in some cases.
Thanks for the article!
Hi Anna,
Our EPG results have always been low, but we do live in the desert which means we tend to have less worm problems here. Our vet does recommend the 2x year chemical dewormer but we choose not to do any at all, and she agrees that it’s working for us!
Thanks! I live in hot, sticky, humid FL… To you use an herbal coccidiosis treatment?
Hi Anna, I actually use a different protocol for the coccidia, I’ll be writing about that soon!