Worms Are the #1 Killer of Goats in Zambia — Here's How to Fight Back

Lotson Banda
Apr 10
3 min read

If I had to name the single biggest killer of goats in Zambia, it wouldn't be PPR or pneumonia. It's worms. Internal parasites (helminths) are responsible for more animal deaths, more weight loss, and more failed goat enterprises than anything else — and most of these losses are preventable with the right programme.

The rainy season (November through April) is the most dangerous period. Warm, wet pastures are perfect conditions for worm larvae to survive and infect your herd. A lazy deworming programme during this period will cost you more in dead animals than you save on anthelmintic drugs.

The 4 Worms You Must Know About

Haemonchus contortus (Barber's Pole Worm) — The most deadly. Sucks blood from the stomach wall. Causes rapid anaemia. Animals can die within 48 hours if untreated.
Trichostrongylus spp. — Causes scouring (diarrhoea), weight loss, and weakness. Very common during the rainy season.
Oesophagostomum spp. (Nodular Worm) — Creates nodules in the gut wall. Goats eat but stay thin because they can't absorb nutrients properly.
Strongyloides papillosus — Affects very young kids under 3 months. Causes diarrhoea and stunting in your best animals before they even start growing.

FAMACHA Scoring: The Smartest Way to Deworm

FAMACHA is a simple eye-check method that lets you assess which individual animals need deworming without lab tests. You pull down the lower eyelid and check the colour of the inner membrane (conjunctiva).

Score 1 (Bright red/pink) — No treatment needed. Animal is healthy.
Score 2 (Pink) — No treatment needed. Monitor monthly.
Score 3 (Pink-pale/light pink) — Treat if other risk factors present (pregnant doe, kid, thin animal).
Score 4 (Pale/white-pink) — Treat immediately. This animal is anaemic.
Score 5 (White/paper-white) — Treat immediately plus give supportive care (iron injection, B12). This animal is in crisis.

Why does this matter? Because only treating animals that need it is what prevents drug resistance. If you drench every animal every month, you create resistant worm populations faster. FAMACHA targeting keeps your drugs effective for longer.

Anthelmintic Drugs Available in Zambia

Albendazole 2.5% — Good for roundworms, tapeworms, lungworms. Dose 5 mg/kg orally (double the cattle dose). Do NOT use in the first 45 days of pregnancy.
Levamisole 7.5% — Works fast and is good for severe infestations, especially Barber's Pole Worm. Dose 7.5 mg/kg orally.
Ivermectin 1% — Treats roundworms plus mange mites and lice. Dose 0.2 mg/kg injection or orally. Injectable is more reliable in goats than oral.
Closantel — Specifically for blood-feeding worms (Barber's Pole). Use when you suspect Haemonchus resistance to Albendazole. Dose 10 mg/kg orally.

Critical rule: ROTATE your drugs every 6–12 months. Rainy season → Albendazole. Dry season → Levamisole. Problem outbreak → Ivermectin. Using the same drug class every time creates resistant worms. Resistant worms stop dying.

Annual Deworming Calendar for Zambian Goat Farmers

November (start of rains) — Deworm entire herd before rains intensify. Use Albendazole 2.5%.
January/February — Deworm high-risk animals (pregnant does, kids, thin animals) using FAMACHA scoring. Use Levamisole or Closantel.
March/April (end of rains) — Full herd FAMACHA check. Treat all scoring 3+. Rotate to Levamisole.
Kids at weaning (8–12 weeks) — Deworm all kids at weaning. Albendazole is safe after 45 days old.
Any new animals arriving — Drench ALL new arrivals before mixing with your herd. Use Ivermectin + Albendazole combination.
Does 2 weeks before kidding — Deworm does to protect them during the immune-suppressed kidding period. Use Levamisole.

Need Help with Your Deworming Programme?

Setting up the right programme depends on your location, herd size, grazing system, and which worm species is most active on your farm. I offer farm visits in Lusaka and surrounding areas to assess your herd, teach you FAMACHA scoring hands-on, and design a custom programme for your situation.

WhatsApp +260776327215 or visit kuritsapoultry.com to book a farm consultation. You can also WhatsApp "Goat Handbook" to receive the free Goat Farming Starter Handbook, which includes the full deworming programme plus vaccination schedules and disease recognition guides.