Supporters believe that DE kills the tiny worms by cutting them up inside the goat. This writer has yet to hear a realistic answer as to why it would not also hurt the goat's internal organs. At this point, however, I would not recommend giving up the chemical de-wormers and fecal counts. Further study is needed on this subject. It should be bright red to bright pink.
Light pink means worms, and white coloring means anemia.
This is much more effective that checking gum color. Of course, it is not a substitute for fecal egg counts. Pastures must be rotated and pens must be kept clean of feces or re-infestation is certain. The life cycle of a stomach worm is three weeks, and pregnant and nursing does are particularly susceptible to worm infestation. Waiting for a worm problem to appear and then chasing it dooms the producer to continual problems with worms.