Evaluation of targeted drenching using Famacha© method in Creole goat: Reduction of anthelmintic use, and effects on kid production and pasture contamination

Abstract

Haemonchus infection was monitored for 2 years (six kidding periods) in a Creole goat flock grazing under oceanic–tropical climate. Two hundred and thirty individual does were involved from late pregnancy to weaning. Anaemia diagnoses using Famacha© method and packed cell volume (PCV) were compared. The best agreement (Kappa = 0.33) was found if anaemia was declared when PCV values fell to 16 or below and Famacha© score was 4 or 5. Drenching policy according to Famacha© method was compared to systematic drenching policy. Using the Famacha© method allowed a dramatic decrease in anthelmintic use during the periparturient period (0.57 individual dose instead of three doses for the control). The proportion of the nematode population on the pasture not derived from previously-treated goats (in refugia) was estimated to about 79% (65–90%) of the pasture contamination derived from the Famacha© group. On the average, goats which needed to be drenched produced less than the control or undrenched goats (kid average daily gain was decreased by about 15%). The repeatability of the need for drenching individual does was estimated to 0.41. The older goats or the goats in poorer body condition at kidding needed more drenching than the younger animals and the animals in good body condition. Consequently the Famacha© method may be used as an additional tool for the culling management.