FAMACHA Scoring Method

Fellow small ruminant owners, do you know what FAMACHA scoring is and how to do it? If not, let’s go through this incredibly important in field test so you can make sure your herd stays healthy from parasites.

FAMACHA scoring is a method of checking how anemic an animal is. The brighter red/pink the lower, inner eyelid , the better the iron level. White means extremely anemic and that a dewormer must be given IMMEDIATELY. The number one cause of anemia is barber pole worm and it is extremely difficult to get rid of. This worm needs very specific dewormers to eradicate.

We check the FAMACHA of every goat every single week. This allows us to maintain better control over any parasite threats and treat immediately vs waiting for the animals to become symptomatic and have an emergency situation.

I am FAMACHA certified by the University of Rhode Island. I am more than happy to show local farmers and goat owners how to do this simple method and explain the proper deworming protocol. (Make sure you follow up with your vet afterwards for fecal testing)

Remember, never give medicine if it isn’t warranted. Goats and sheep are so easily made resistant to dewormers by constant or continuous deworming protocols. If their FAMACHA score is good, don’t deworm!