For years, sheep and goat producers were taught that the answer to parasites was simple: Just deworm everything. Every month. Every six weeks. Spring and fall.

Sound familiar?

Unfortunately, that approach is exactly what created many of the parasite problems producers face today. Drug-resistant parasites are now one of the biggest challenges in small ruminant production, and the days of routine, whole-flock deworming are over.

The good news? We have better tools.

More Deworming Isn’t Better

Parasites are a normal part of life. Zero worms is neither realistic nor necessary.

The goal isn’t to eliminate every parasite. The goal is to identify the animals that actually need treatment and preserve the effectiveness of the dewormers we still have.

Every unnecessary dose contributes to resistance. And once resistance develops, there’s no going back.

What Is FAMACHA?

FAMACHA scoring is a simple system that evaluates the color of the lower eyelid to estimate the degree of anemia caused primarily by the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus).

Animals are scored from:

1 – Dark red, healthy

2 – Red

3 – Pink

4 – Light pink

5 – Nearly white, severely anemic

The lighter the eyelid, the more concerned we become.

But FAMACHA isn’t a “worm score.” It’s an anemia score. That distinction matters. Not all parasites cause anemia, and not all anemia is caused by parasites.

FAMACHA is one tool – not the entire toolbox.

Treat Individuals, Not Entire Flocks

One of the most important lessons in parasite management is this:

Not every animal needs to be dewormed.

In most flocks, a small percentage of animals carry the majority of the worm burden. By treating only the animals that truly need intervention, we preserve a population of susceptible parasites, known as refugia, which helps slow the development of resistance.

In other words, strategic deworming today protects your ability to deworm tomorrow.

Body Condition Score Matters Too

A sheep can have a nice red eyelid and still be in trouble. That’s why body condition scoring is so important.

A ewe with a FAMACHA 2 but dropping from a body condition score of 3 to 2 deserves attention. Likewise, a ram with adequate eyelid color but significant weight loss may have another problem entirely.

Your hands often tell you things your eyes can’t. Putting your hands on your sheep regularly allows you to detect changes before they become emergencies.

Fecals Complete the Picture

Fecal egg counts are another valuable tool. They help answer important questions:

• Are parasites actually the problem?
• Which animals are carrying the heaviest burdens?
• Is treatment necessary?
• Is the dewormer working?
• Have we developed resistance?

Too often, producers assume every thin sheep or every bout of diarrhea is worms and immediately reach for a drench gun. Sometimes they’re right. Sometimes they’re treating the wrong problem.

A fecal exam provides information that guesswork cannot.

The Three-Legged Stool

Think of parasite management like a three-legged stool.

• FAMACHA – Helps identify anemia caused by barber pole worms.
• Body Condition Scoring – Reveals changes in nutritional status and overall health.
• Fecal Egg Counts – Provides objective information about parasite burdens and treatment effectiveness.

None of these tools are perfect alone. Together, they provide a much clearer picture.

Cull Chronic Problem Animals

Some sheep simply cannot handle parasites. If the same ewe requires treatment multiple times every year while the rest of the flock remains healthy, she’s telling you something.

Genetics matter. Repeatedly saving poor performers may actually be selecting for susceptibility. The goal isn’t to raise sheep that survive because of dewormers. The goal is to raise sheep that thrive with minimal intervention.

Healthy Sheep Start With Management

Parasite control isn’t just about medication. It also involves:

• Good nutrition.
• Adequate protein.
• Avoiding overstocking.
• Rotational grazing.
• Maintaining body condition.
• Selecting resilient genetics.
• Monitoring animals regularly.

No dewormer can overcome poor management.

Deworm Less. Pay Attention More.

Successful parasite control doesn’t come from treating everything. It comes from observation. Putting your hands on your animals. Checking eyelids. Watching body condition. Running fecals. Using medications intentionally rather than routinely.

Because every unnecessary dose makes the next one less effective.

Smarter Parasite Management Starts With Better Information

We help producers develop practical parasite management programs tailored to their operations. Whether you’re battling barber pole worms, experiencing unexplained losses, or simply want to improve flock health, we believe the answer starts with observation – not automatic treatment.

Because sometimes the best thing you can do for your sheep isn’t reaching for the dewormer. It’s learning when not to.