Several years ago I began giving my goats an herbal wormer from Hoegger Goat Supply. I've been very happy with the results; their coats were shiny and slick and the fecal counts from the vet were good.
There are several different herbal wormers available for goats from various sources such as Fir Meadow, Land of Havilah, and Molly's Herbals. Some are given daily, others weekly; I wanted a weekly dose rather than daily.
This particular brand of wormer comes in a plastic bag; I keep the bag in a coffee can and glued the instructions to the outside of the can. I keep a set of plastic measuring spoons in the coffee can too.
Adult goats are given up to 1 1/2 teaspoons of the herbal powder, while younger and smaller goats are given 1/2 teaspoon. I give my adult goats one teaspoonful; they aren't as large as many full-grown Nubians that I've met. This past spring, because it was so rainy, I gave them the maximum dose of 1 1/2 teaspoons.
To make the treats, I measure out the amount I need for all of the goats. Because I have four goats that each get 1 teaspoon, I measure four teaspoons of the powdered wormer into a bowl.
Pour a bit of molasses into the bowl. Not too much; you can always add more. Stir it gently.
Add a bit more as needed. You want it to stick together but you don't want it to be too wet. You'll learn what looks right after you do it a few times. If you do put too much molasses in, let it rest for an hour or so and it will dry out a bit.
Then empty the bowl's contents onto a floured board, and squish it together into a ball. Add flour as needed so it won't be sticky. With your fingers, form it into a log.
Use a sharp knife to cut the log into the correct number of pieces. Since I have four goats, I cut the log in half and then each piece in half again. Yes, there are more than four pieces in the photo: I often double or triple the recipe so that the treats are ready-made for the next week or two. They freeze well as long as they're covered well with flour so they don't stick together.
When you first start using an herbal wormer, you need to give a larger dose for several days at first. The directions for this brand say to dose the goats two times a day for three days in a row, then weekly thereafter.
Most goats will love their treats. I've actually been bitten a couple of times by an over-eager goat, and I've learned to put their dosage ball in their feed on the milkstand, or feed them over the fence so I don't get trampled.
As a goat lover and a homestead gardener, I'm excited to also share my gardening tips with you - from planting seeds to enjoying the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor! You can find my gardening advice and insights right here, so let's dig in and cultivate some fresh, delicious produce together.
It did take a bit of encouragement at first though, before the goats learned how good these "treats" are. I started giving these goats their wormer when they were kids, so I would open the goat's mouth and pop one in. If they spit it back out, I'd do it again. Eventually they decided I was giving them candy. I "worm on Wednesday" (it's easy to remember) and I think they even know what day of the week it is.
~~~~~
My hope is to inspire you, and to encourage your homesteading plans and your dreams of a simple, self-reliant, God-dependent life. You can follow me at:
Facebook | Pinterest | Subscribe
