res
Songster
Giving a copper bolus at the same time as worming with ivermectin or moxidectin helps to make the wormer more effective. Something about interrupting the life cycle??? Santa Cruz sells goat-specific boluses, and many producers and university programs have used and endorsed them. Maryland actually has a university-owned herd of Boers specifically for a parasite control program study. They publish everything almost instantly, as soon as the tests are run. It is VERY interesting.
In 2014, I allowed someone to bring 2 does to my property to breed to my buck, they stayed 3 months. I was very naïve and inexperienced with goats then, and had NO IDEA what I had invited onto my parasite free property... What ended up happening is my herd contracted such a severe infestation of barber pole (based on FEC's) that my vet recommended I cull the entire herd. I refused.
Instead, I did some research. I gave everybody a copper bolus, and the correct dosage of moxidectin EVERY 10 DAYS for 4 cycles, along with rotating my pastures and changing my feeding methods. No more pans on the ground of where feet could get in them. Hay is all off the ground, or contained so that no feet or feces can contaminate it. No more round bales in the pens. My goats are not "parasite free" based on FEC's, but the herd has an easily manageable amount of worms. It did not happen overnight, but I got there...
In 2014, I allowed someone to bring 2 does to my property to breed to my buck, they stayed 3 months. I was very naïve and inexperienced with goats then, and had NO IDEA what I had invited onto my parasite free property... What ended up happening is my herd contracted such a severe infestation of barber pole (based on FEC's) that my vet recommended I cull the entire herd. I refused.
Instead, I did some research. I gave everybody a copper bolus, and the correct dosage of moxidectin EVERY 10 DAYS for 4 cycles, along with rotating my pastures and changing my feeding methods. No more pans on the ground of where feet could get in them. Hay is all off the ground, or contained so that no feet or feces can contaminate it. No more round bales in the pens. My goats are not "parasite free" based on FEC's, but the herd has an easily manageable amount of worms. It did not happen overnight, but I got there...
