Top Natural Deworming Methods for Goats and Sheep

Top Natural Deworming Methods for Goats and Sheep

Sheep and goats in good health are the foundation of any prosperous small farm. Effective parasite management is crucial, and natural deworming techniques for sheep and goats have emerged as a reliable substitute for pharmaceutical medications. This guide will teach you the benefits of going natural, the tried-and-true techniques used by farmers around the world, and how to properly implement them for the welfare of your herd.

 Why Natural Deworming is Gaining Popularity

Due to increasing parasite resistance, chemical dewormers—once heralded as miraculous treatments—are becoming less effective. Anthelmintic resistance is currently a global problem in small-scale ruminant farming, according to the FAO. Overuse of chemicals also jeopardizes the safety of milk and meat.

Natural deworming is a sustainable method that safeguards animal health, enhances product quality, and gradually lowers farm input costs. It is not merely a fad.

1. Rotational Grazing: The First Line of Defense

                Photo 1. Rotational Grazing

The foundation of every parasite management strategy is rotational grazing. Moving sheep and goats to new paddocks often breaks the life cycle of parasites. Read more at Rotational Grazing for Better Livestock Health

Benefits of Rotational Grazing:

Prevention is always better than cure. Rotational grazing helps break parasite life cycles by moving animals to clean pastures before larvae mature.

• Avoid overgrazing
• Use multi-species grazing to disrupt host cycles
• Allow paddocks to rest for at least 60 days

Healthy pasture = healthier animals.

Effective pasture management significantly reduces the risk of infection.

How to implement:

• Divide the pasture into smaller paddocks.
• Rotate animals every 5–7 days.
• Rest grazed paddocks for 30–60 days to break parasite development.

 Learn more on rotational grazing from Oregon State University.

 2. Herbal Remedies: Time-Tested and Farm-Proven

        Photo 2. Garlic and pumpkin seeds are effective natural dewormers.

For millennia, people have utilized herbs as a natural remedy for intestinal parasites. Among the most well-known herbs for sheep and goats are:

ü Garlic or Allicin: which has antibacterial and antiparasitic properties, is found in garlic.

ü Pumpkin seeds or Cucurbitacin: which is poisonous to many worms, is abundant in pumpkin seeds.

ü Wormwood, or Artemisia absinthium, is a potent anthelmintic that occurs naturally.

ü Fennel: Aids in parasite removal and digestion.

 How to Make an Herbal Dewormer Mix

Incorporate crushed garlic cloves or powdered seeds into feed. Always consult a vet or livestock nutritionist for correct dosages.

Here’s a simple example to try:

Basic Herbal Dewormer Recipe  

• 1 part wormwood
• 1 part garlic powder
• 1 part pumpkin seeds
• ½ part clove powder

Mix and store in a sealed jar. Feed 1 tablespoon per adult goat or sheep, mixed with feed, once a week. Always monitor for adverse reactions.

3. Diatomaceous Earth (DE): The Farmer’s Secret Weapon

            Photo 3. Always use food-grade DE for safety

Diatomaceous earth for food is a naturally occurring powder derived from fossilized algae. It causes dehydration by manually destroying the worms' protective layer.

Application Tips:

• Mix 2–3% DE into feed daily.
• Ensure animals have access to clean water.
• Monitor weight and parasite load regularly.

Note: Always use food-grade DE, not the one meant for pools or industrial use.

4. Copper and Mineral Management

        Photo 4. Always consult experts about safe copper use

Animals that have a healthy mineral balance are more naturally resistant to parasite infestations. When used in moderation, copper has a minor deworming effect.

Important: Because sheep are extremely sensitive to copper, an excess of copper mineral can be hazardous. For safe supplementing advice, speak with your local extension department or use mineral blocks designed for sheep and goats.

5. Tannin-Rich Plants: Nature’s Dewormer

                        Photo 6. Chicory and Birdsfoot Trefoil in Pasture

Tannins are found naturally in plants such as birds foot trefoil, chicory, and Sericea lespedeza. When grazed or fed as hay, tannins can lower worm loads because they bind to proteins.

Research Insight: University of Arkansas Extension highlights tannin-rich forages as effective for reducing parasites in small ruminants.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar: A Supportive Boost

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is frequently used to promote gut health and make the internal environment less friendly for worms, even though it is not a dewormer on its own.

How to use:

Add 1–2 tablespoons of raw ACV per gallon of drinking water. This improves digestion and boosts the immune system.

7. Fecal Testing: Measure, Don’t Guess

Regular monitoring is necessary even for natural methods. You can monitor worm burdens and treatment efficacy by doing routine fecal egg counts.
Plan testing with your veterinarian or extension office at least twice a year, or more frequently if you're in charge of a herd that is at high risk.

8. Combining Methods: An Integrated Approach

Parasites cannot be eradicated by a single natural means. For optimal outcomes, successful farmers combine nutritional techniques, herbal supplements, pasture management, and routine monitoring.

9. When to Use Conventional Dewormers

Chemical dewormers are sometimes inevitable. When parasite loads are dangerously high, always get advice from your veterinarian. Resistance can be decreased by rotating between chemical classes responsibly.

For more guidelines, see the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control.

10. Best Practices for Safe Natural Deworming

✅ Start slowly with new herbs or supplements.

✅ Keep clean, dry bedding.

✅ Provide fresh water at all times.

✅ Practice regular hoof trimming and overall health checks.

    Photo 7. Happy Farmer with Health herd

Conclusion

Effective parasite control doesn’t need to rely solely on chemicals. By applying these top natural deworming methods for goats and sheep, you’ll support healthier animals, safer products, and a more resilient farm system.

Get up-to-date, science-backed advice from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and your local agricultural extension office.