Farm Animals

Sheep Internal Parasite Resistance FAMACHA

FAMACHA scoring allows targeted selective treatment of sheep for haemonchosis, reducing anthelmintic use while maintaining welfare.

Key Facts

FAMACHA assesses the ocular mucous membrane colour to estimate haematocrit
Only sheep below threshold score receive treatment, reducing unnecessary anthelmintic use
The system was developed in South Africa where Haemonchus contortus is the primary parasite
Implementation requires training and appropriate anaemia thresholds for the flock
Combined with body condition and faecal egg counts, FAMACHA improves targeted treatment accuracy

Welfare Considerations

Sheep with severe haemonchosis suffer from anaemia, weakness, and bottle jaw. FAMACHA targeted selective treatment ensures the most affected sheep receive treatment while reducing pressure on anthelmintic resistance development. The welfare of individual severely affected animals is protected while population-level resistance management improves future treatment options.

What You Can Do

Train in FAMACHA scoring and implement in your flock management
Combine FAMACHA with FEC monitoring for comprehensive parasite management
Support research into anthelmintic resistance management in sheep parasitology