Farm Animals

Sheep Internal Parasite FAMACHA Welfare

FAMACHA assessment of conjunctival membrane colour identifies anaemic sheep requiring anthelmintic treatment, enabling targeted use that reduces drug resistance while protecting individual welfare.

Key Facts

FAMACHA scores conjunctival colour on a 1-5 scale from healthy pink to pale anaemic
Only sheep scoring 3 or above require treatment, reducing herd-wide anthelmintic use by 60%
Barber's pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) causes rapid anaemia in targeted sheep
FAMACHA requires training and is validated primarily for Haemonchus-dominant climates
Combining FAMACHA with body condition score and faecal egg count improves targeting accuracy

Welfare Considerations

FAMACHA-guided treatment prevents anaemia-related welfare suffering while protecting drug efficacy for future welfare needs. Training investment pays dividends in both outcomes.

What You Can Do

Receive FAMACHA training from a vet or trained assessor before implementing
Monitor FAMACHA scores during peak Haemonchus risk periods in summer
Combine FAMACHA with faecal egg count monitoring for best targeted treatment results
Advocate for FAMACHA training availability in sheep veterinary education programmes