SHEEP & GOATS · HERD HEALTH
Sheep & goat wellness
is a herd plan.
Preventive care, nutrition, parasite monitoring, feet, reproduction, biosecurity and early emergency recognition for small ruminants.
IN THIS GUIDEBuild a written flock or herd calendarObserve before the flock begins movingSheep and goats cannot share every mineral planResistance changes how parasite control should workLameness is a health and welfare problemPrepare before labor beginsNew arrivals can bring long-term herd problemsCall promptly for these signsTrusted sources
INDIVIDUAL + HERD
One sick animal may reveal a management problem affecting the group.
VMX 2026 sessions highlighted physical examination, gastrointestinal parasites, common sheep and goat diseases and emergencies. A practical plan combines records, pasture management, diagnostics and timely veterinary care.
Fecal testsguide parasite decisionsFeetinspect routinelyBiosecuritystarts before arrival
01 · ROUTINE CARE
Build a written flock or herd calendar
- Veterinary examinations, vaccination and region-specific disease prevention
- Body-condition scoring, weight trends and nutrition by production stage
- Hoof inspection and trimming based on need, footing and disease risk
- Fecal egg-count monitoring and targeted parasite control
- Reproductive planning, pregnancy assessment and newborn preparation
- Identification, treatment, mortality and withdrawal-time records
02 · DAILY & WEEKLY CHECKS
Observe before the flock begins moving
- Count animals and identify anyone separated, slow to rise or last to feed.
- Watch breathing, chewing, rumination, gait, posture and response to the group.
- Check water function, feed refusal, manure consistency and signs of predator entry.
- Handle animals periodically to assess body condition, eyelid color when trained, feet, skin and hidden wounds beneath wool or hair.
- Record births, abortions, deaths, treatments and unusual feed or weather events.
03 · NUTRITION & MINERALS
Sheep and goats cannot share every mineral plan
- Base the diet primarily on suitable forage and test hay when nutritional decisions depend on its quality.
- Match energy and protein to growth, pregnancy, lactation, maintenance and body condition.
- Provide clean water and species-appropriate loose mineral protected from weather.
- Sheep are especially sensitive to excessive copper; do not offer goat or cattle mineral to sheep unless a veterinarian or nutritionist approves it.
- Introduce grain or rich pasture gradually to reduce acidosis and bloat risk.
- Prevent access to toxic plants, moldy feed, spoiled silage and unsecured feed rooms.
04 · PARASITES
Resistance changes how parasite control should work
- Use fecal testing and clinical assessment rather than treating every animal automatically.
- Learn veterinarian-supervised FAMACHA scoring when barber-pole worm is a local concern; FAMACHA assesses anemia risk, not every parasite.
- Use pasture rest, mixed-species or rotational strategies only as part of a locally appropriate plan.
- Weigh animals for accurate dosing and verify response with a fecal egg-count reduction test when indicated.
- Maintain refugia by avoiding unnecessary whole-group treatment.
- Do not rotate or combine dewormers without a veterinary resistance plan.
05 · FEET, SKIN & HORNS
Lameness is a health and welfare problem
- Inspect feet for overgrowth, odor, heat, swelling, separation and lesions between the claws.
- Keep high-traffic areas reasonably dry and address abrasive, muddy or contaminated footing.
- Separate animals with suspected contagious foot disease until examined.
- Do not trim aggressively into sensitive tissue or use caustic products without a diagnosis.
- Plan horned-animal housing and feeders to prevent entrapment and bullying.
06 · PREGNANCY, BIRTH & NEWBORNS
Prepare before labor begins
- Confirm breeding dates when possible and establish a late-pregnancy nutrition and vaccination plan.
- Prepare a clean, dry birthing area, emergency contact and safe transport option.
- Observe labor without repeatedly disturbing the dam; know the veterinarian's thresholds for lack of progress.
- Confirm breathing, warmth, standing, nursing and colostrum intake in newborns.
- Dip or manage navels according to the veterinary plan and record birth weight and identification.
- Isolate and contact the veterinarian after abortion; placenta and fluids may expose people and the herd to zoonotic disease.
07 · BIOSECURITY
New arrivals can bring long-term herd problems
- Quarantine new or returning animals away from the resident group.
- Review source-herd disease history and test based on regional risk.
- Use separate feeding, watering and handling equipment during quarantine.
- Control visitors, trailers, show equipment and contact with neighboring livestock.
- Discuss caseous lymphadenitis, Johne disease, caprine arthritis encephalitis and scrapie requirements with the veterinarian.
08 · EMERGENCIES
Call promptly for these signs
- Severe bloating, breathing difficulty or choke
- Unable to stand, marked weakness, neurologic signs or sudden blindness
- A pale animal, bottle jaw, collapse or suspected heavy parasite burden
- Prolonged labor, uterine or vaginal prolapse or a weak newborn
- Urinary straining in a male, abdominal pain or little to no urine
- Sudden lameness, severe foot swelling, major wounds or suspected poisoning
Important: Medication choices in sheep and goats may involve food-animal laws and withdrawal times. Never copy a cattle label or use leftover medication without veterinary direction.
TRUSTED SOURCES
Sources behind this guide
Merck Veterinary ManualGastrointestinal parasites of sheep and goats ↗United States Department of AgricultureSheep and goat health programs ↗
Source links are provided so readers can review the underlying guidance. Publication dates and recommendations can change; confirm individual plans with the treating veterinary team.