FAMACHA Scoring Guide for Goats
FAMACHA is a practical, on-farm method for checking whether your goats need deworming. Instead of deworming every goat on a fixed schedule (which accelerates resistance), FAMACHA lets you target only the goats that actually need treatment. It takes about 10 seconds per goat and requires no equipment beyond a color chart card.
What FAMACHA Actually Measures
The FAMACHA system checks the color of the mucous membranes inside your goat's lower eyelid. Pale membranes indicate anemia, which in goats is most commonly caused by the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus). This blood-sucking parasite lives in the abomasum and can cause severe anemia and death if left unchecked.
FAMACHA doesn't detect all parasites. It specifically targets barber pole worm because that's the one that causes anemia. Other parasites like coccidia, brown stomach worm, or tapeworms won't show up on a FAMACHA check. Use fecal egg counts for a complete parasite picture.
The FAMACHA Color Chart
| Score | Eye Color | Anemia Level | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red (deep, rich) | Not anemic | No treatment needed |
| 2 | Red-pink | Not anemic | No treatment needed |
| 3 | Pink | Borderline | Monitor closely, consider deworming |
| 4 | Pink-white | Anemic | Deworm immediately |
| 5 | White | Severely anemic | Deworm immediately + supportive care |
How to Score Your Goats
- Restrain the goat. Have someone hold the goat or use a stanchion. You need the goat's head still for a few seconds.
- Pull down the lower eyelid. Use your thumb to gently pull the lower eyelid down, exposing the mucous membrane on the inside surface.
- Compare to the chart. Hold your FAMACHA card next to the eye and match the membrane color to the closest score. Do this in natural daylight if possible — artificial light can distort color perception.
- Score both eyes. If the scores differ, use the worse (higher) score.
- Record the score. Log the date, goat, and score. Track trends over time — a goat consistently scoring 3 needs closer monitoring than one that occasionally hits 3 during peak parasite season.
When to Deworm Based on Score
The general rule is simple: deworm goats scoring 4 or 5 immediately, and monitor goats scoring 3 with a recheck in 5 to 7 days. However, context matters.
Always deworm if:
- Score is 4 or 5 (regardless of other factors)
- Score is 3 AND the goat is losing body condition
- Score is 3 AND the goat is late-pregnant or early-lactation (higher parasite vulnerability)
- Score jumped from 1 or 2 to 3 within two weeks (rapid change)
Monitor without deworming if:
- Score is 3 but goat has good body condition and is otherwise healthy
- Score is 3 but has been stable at 3 for multiple checks (some goats run slightly pale naturally)
Score once, flag automatically
Herd Manager scores your whole herd on one screen and auto-flags every goat at 3 or higher for deworming follow-up.
Try bulk FAMACHA free →How Often to Check
| Season | Frequency | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar-May) | Every 2 weeks | Parasite larvae hatch as temperatures warm. Peak transmission season begins. |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Every 2-3 weeks | Peak barber pole season in warm, humid climates. Hot dry climates may see less pressure. |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Every 2-3 weeks | Second peak in some climates. Important to check before breeding season. |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Monthly | Lower parasite pressure in cold climates, but don't skip entirely. |
Common Mistakes
- Checking in dim light. Artificial and fluorescent lighting can make membranes look paler than they are. Always check in natural daylight.
- Deworming all goats "just in case." This is the fastest way to create dewormer resistance. Only deworm the goats that need it.
- Relying on FAMACHA alone. FAMACHA only detects barber pole worm. Run fecal egg counts 2 to 4 times per year for a complete picture.
- Not tracking scores over time. A single score is a snapshot. Trends tell the real story. A doe that goes from 1 to 3 in two weeks is more concerning than a doe that's been a steady 2 all year.
- Forgetting kids and bucks. Kids are especially vulnerable to parasites. Don't skip them during FAMACHA checks.
FAMACHA + Other Indicators
For the most accurate deworming decisions, combine FAMACHA with two other quick checks. This is sometimes called the "Five Point Check":
- FAMACHA eye score — anemia from barber pole worm
- Body condition score — weight loss can indicate parasite burden
- Jaw/bottle jaw — swelling under the jaw indicates severe protein loss from parasites
- Coat condition — rough, dull coat can signal chronic parasitism
- Dag score (tail soiling) — diarrhea from parasites like coccidia or brown stomach worm
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FAMACHA scoring?
A practical on-farm check of the color of a goat's lower-eyelid membrane against a numbered 1 to 5 card. Pale membranes indicate anemia, usually from the blood-sucking barber pole worm, so you can target deworming to the goats that actually need it.
What FAMACHA score means a goat needs deworming?
Deworm any goat scoring 4 or 5 immediately, and a goat scoring 3 if it's losing condition, is late-pregnant or early-lactation, or jumped to 3 within two weeks. Goats scoring 1 or 2 are healthy and should be left untreated.
How do you check a goat's FAMACHA score?
Restrain the goat, pull down the lower eyelid to expose the membrane, and match its color to the card in natural daylight. Score both eyes and use the worse one, then record it to track each goat's trend over time.
How often should I do FAMACHA checks?
Every 2 weeks in spring and during warm, wet weather when barber pole worm peaks, every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and fall, and monthly in cold winters. Check more often after rain, and don't skip kids and bucks.
Does FAMACHA detect all goat parasites?
No. FAMACHA only detects anemia from the barber pole worm. Coccidia, brown stomach worm, and tapeworms won't show up, so run fecal egg counts a few times a year and combine FAMACHA with body condition and other checks.
Score your whole herd in one sitting
Herd Manager's bulk FAMACHA scoring lets you tap-to-score every goat on one screen. Scores of 3 or higher are auto-flagged for deworming follow-up, and each goat's score history is tracked over time.
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