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Letter Re: Raising Sheep and Goats: Dealing with Internal Parasites

I just finished reading the linked article "Five Highly Productive, Low-Stress Animals You Can Raise at Home." When I read articles like this I start to fume. They make it sound like all you need to do is 'get your goat' (or whatever) turn it out and reap the benefits. One the major issues in sheep and goat raising that can be and often is a killer is parasites (intestinal and nasal worms). Sheep and goats are subject to stomach worm. This worms basically suck the their blood and the host (sheep or goat) then dies from anemia.

Most folks do not realize that we have a serious problem in the US in the fact that most of the antiparasiticals that are used to control worm loads has been used (mostly incorrectly) for so long that the worms are immune to it. That means there is little prescription that is effective in killing the worms.

That further means that having these animals on small acreage over an extended period of time can be a death sentence.

Parasites build up in the soil. The worms crawl up the grass, Goat/sheep eat the grass and the worms. The worms continue the cycle of laying eggs inside the host animals, the animals add the worms back to the soil in their manure, with increasing numbers, the host picks up more of them and in fairly short order, bam -- worm overload -- dead host.

Please know that I am quite qualified to make the above statements. I have successfully raised goats for over 45 years. I am one of the few folks that can say they have actually made a profit raising goats. I am here to remind you that there is no profit or pleasure in a dead goat.

There are those that would like to tell you that this breed or that breed is 'worm resistant' --to that I say 'Yeah and they likely voted for Obama'. The fact is that all goats are vulnerable to worms and all breeds are subject just as much as any other. The difference is climate and good management. Warm and moist climate is a breeding ground for worms. For example, in Missouri, where it is warm and humid most all spring, summer and even Fall is a haven for these worms. In [most of] Texas, where it gets hot and dry is not such a good climate for the worms. But there is a trade off. Hot and dry means little vegetation so it take lots of acres to feed one goat in Texas. In Missouri you can feed many goats per acre, but you will also infect those goats in sort order.

Please, do your homework. Livestock are not easy and work-free. They are not for the faint at heart. It takes dedication and diligence along with some common sense and selflessness to keep animals. If someone tells you it it easy, I dare say, they are either trying to sell you some 'seed stock' or they are from the government. Respectfully, - Paulette in Missouri

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