Are parasites or worms a problem in your goat herd? Learn how to prevent worms in your goats naturally using herbs!
On my farm I tend to go with the thought of the more natural the better.
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This goes for my organic vegetable and herb gardens and when it comes to caring for my livestock.
I am not against western medicine, or chemicals, completely, and I do keep medications on hand in case I need them, but I always opt for natural as my first choice.
Since parasites are probably one of the biggest problems for goat owners- with worms such as the barber pole worm causing issues with things like anemia or even death- it’s always best to be proactive and work toward prevention so that you never have a huge parasite infestation on your hands.
How to Prevent Parasites in Your Goats Naturally
When it comes to prevention of parasites in my goat herd, herbs are my first line of defense. I feed them once a week or a few times a month, as needed and they keep me from having to dose with things like Ivomec or Prohibit.
Herbs that Can Help Prevent Herbs in Goats
Herbs can work in a couple of ways when we are talking about controlling or preventing parasites. They can either kill the parasite or create an inhospitable environment for the parasites so that they never become a problem in the first place.
My 2 favorite herbs to feed my goats regularly are:
- Wormwood (note: do not give to pregnant does)
- Oregano
I grow both of these myself and give handfuls a few times a month.
If I think a goat might be having issues with worms, I will increase the wormwood and feed it daily for 4-5 days in a row. Usually that does the trick and I don’t need to break out anything stronger.
Other herbs that can help with parasites are:
- Sage
- Thyme
- Mullein
- Cloves
- Rosemary
✅ Want to be sure on what parasites you are dealing with? My Busy Homesteader’s Goat Management Binder comes with a free mini-course on how to do your own fecals!
Wormwood can be fed to goats to prevent parasites
Pre-Packaged Herbal Dewormers for Goats
Bite Me Squirmy Wormy Bites: If you are looking for a premade product that is ready to feed as is, Bite Me Goat Treats is the thing for you. These are bite sized treats containing herbs to control parasites mixed in.
Molly’s Herbals Herbal Worming Powder: I used Molly’s for years with great luck. It’s my favorite herbal powder to use if I need something more than just the herbs I grow. It’s also the powder I use in the recipe below.
Land of Havilah Parasite Formula: I haven’t personally used this product, but have heard wonderful thing about them. They make a similar product to Molly’s and can be used in the recipe below- just make sure you read the dosage amount and alter accordingly.
How to Make Your Own Herbal Deworming Balls for Your Goats
So once you have your herbal powder, what do you do with it so that the goats will actually eat it?
Well you could make a slurry and drench them with it, but I find making dosage balls the best way. The goats get their herbs and they LOVE them and eat them up like a treat.
Here’s my simple recipe for herbal dosage ball to get rid of or control parasites in my goats:
What you will need:
Herbal Dewormer powder
Molasses
Rolled Oats
Water
Note: There are no strict measurements when it comes to making herbal deworming balls. The only measurement that really matters is the amount of herbal powder.
For the purpose of this recipe I am using Molly’s Herbal, which has a dose of 1T per goat. The amount of balls that comes from this recipe will depend on which herbs you are using.
How to Make Herbal Dosage Balls:
- Take 1/2 cup (8 Tablespoons) of herbs and place in a bowl.
- Add 1/2 cup of rolled oats and 2-4 T of molasses and stir
- Add water a little at a time until the mixture can be formed into balls (get your hands in there and squish them together!) If you add too much water, just add extra oats.
- Divide into 8 evenly-sized balls
- Feed immediately or store in the freezer for up to a year.
You can increase or decrease the amounts in this recipe to make the amount of dosage balls you need.
Store the unused balls in a air tight container or Ziploc bag in the freezer.
I love the information you all share, and my goats definitely benefit!
Where do you get the wormwood?
can I feed Molly’s Herbals to pregnant goats?
Good
Hello and thank you so much for all your help ! I love buying your Stuff it’s easier for me to buy it than make it ! So Happy I found you ! Thank again !
Do you give these to pregnant or nursing goats?
I don’t give wormwood to pregnant goats
What can you give pregnant goats with a dry cough?
I really like the content on the site.
But to answer with pregnant does (sheep pigs etc). If you get the molly herbal dewarmer there is a formula 1 and 2 you can use together.
F1 you can’t give to pregnant does etc but can once they have kidded (had their offspring as we give to the pigs and all).
You would just utilize the formula 2 for them while they are pregnant for each stage.
We make these ball treats in formula 1 and 2.
We give the formula 1 treats to everyone for 3 days in a row every 8 wks. If we have preg animals they get the formula 2 balls these 3 days instead.
Then once a week after that for 8wks we give them formula 2 treat balls
We make up batches for each livestock we have individually and we bag them label it as goat, pig, cow, or sheep (our chickens we do fresh and just in their feed) and which formula it is. And I do put the use notes on it (F1 3 days every 8wks no preg. Then F2 says 1x a wk for 8wks + 3 day preg replacer)
Then pull from freezer and let thaw as needed. Makes it easier and far more organized at least for us lol and the kids can easily help and know what to grab.
We also make dog treats and cat treats (for our inside cats) to use with them too.
Molly herb stuff is prob one of my fav products to use before the harsher chemicals with all our animals.
Can you give this to lactating goats?
What is a good herbal for diarrhea. Not liquid but nanny berries in a log like a dog poop. Also one like a more firm cow plop. I think it something in the field. No toxic signs and only the bucks and servers have it, except one 2 year nanny. They have been wormed and dosed with copper early spring?
Pro Bios powder. You can get it at Tractor Supply and online. It’s a probiotic powder that helps rebalance gut flora.
I agree with the other comment. We us Probios for any type of gut issues including hay belly. When my goats are on feed in the winter, I use the powder but you can also get it in a gel. During the summer, when I don’t want them on feed, I use the gel. My goats love it and they suck it out of the plunger! My boys call it their “goat toothpaste”! (it looks like Crest! LOL)
The down side to the gel is that it doesn’t last as long. But it helps to ensure they get it all since the powder can settle to the bottom of the feed trough. :)
Can you continue to drink the goat’s milk after giving them wormwood?
Thank u for this info. Can u use dried herbs from grocery store, or must they be freshly grown
Where do you get the molly herbal!
My goat is a year old she has been belching an letting out gas I give her baking soda she stays in at night she is spoiled
What kind of molasses did you buy to make your recipe?
Hi! I am learning so much from your information! I have a little alpine goat that I think is anemic. I gave her some ivermectin and b12. I would love to give the herbal balls going forward, but I live in a third world country where the powdered herbal mixes are not available. What can I use instead? Thanks!
Do you use dry or liquid molasses?