FAMACHA is an acronym derived from the name of the creator of this system, Dr. Faffa Malan; CHA stands for chart. This is a system developed in South Africa to manage parasite control and reduce usage of anthelmintics. It is also called “Smart Drenching.” For many years and even now, fecal egg counts has been the procedure used to identify parasite-infected animals. Research from South Africa (Bath et al, 2001), has indicated that parasite load and fecal egg counts were correlated with a color eye chart. Through this system, those animals unable to cope with parasites (wireworm, barber pole worm) can be identified and treated.

The FAMACHA chart classifies animals with infection into 5 categories according to eye mucus color; category number 1 are those with a pink-red eye mucus membranes that are without infection and category number 5 are those with extremely pale, almost white eye mucus membranes, that are near death. Only goats classified under category number 3, 4, and 5 should be  treated with anthelmintics. Therefore, combining use of the FAMACHA chart and scheduled de-worming of those that are affected can reduce the use of anthelmintics (these can be used effectively for longer times before the loss of effectiveness) and the parasite load, and can improve production. Therefore, for best parasite control management, alternate the de-wormers used and de-worm only those animals that are numbers 3, 4, and 5 on the FAMACHA chart or through fecal egg counts.

Bath, G. F., J.W. Hansen, R. C. Krecek, J. A.Van Wyk and A. F.Vatta. 2001. Sustainable
approaches for managing Haemonchosis in sheep and goats. FAO Technical Co-operation
Project No. TCP/SAF/8821 (A).

Back to Health