FEC Samples

[Jaffa Cakes]

Quick question for the assembled brains trust. We are trying to move down the route of using less routine wormers etc on sheep. I stopped routine drenching adult ewes a few years back and now just do them for fluke in the autumn. I would like to start FEC sampling before dosing lambs.

For those that sample, how do you go about collecting? Do you watch for lambs pooping or just collect a variety of samples that look fresh and about the right size??

Maybe I'm over thinking this . . .

Thanks

 

[ISCO]

Fresh would be best as they are a true representation of current worm burden.
Wife collects ours. She likes to go early morning when they getting up as they seem to produce fresh samples.

 

[Jaffa Cakes]

Fresh would be best as they are a true representation of current worm burden.
Wife collects ours. She likes to go early morning when they getting up as they seem to produce fresh samples.

Does she watch ti make sure it's from lambs? Would it make a big difference if some was from ewes ?

 

[Jerry]

Quietly wander through the group, watch for lamb tails rising/flicking.

Mark the spot with your eye and then walk up to collect sample.

1 of two results:

1, you walk up and find a nice fresh sample where you expected it.
2, you walk up and despite a 5 min search all you find are crusty dried out pellets of no use

 

[Jaffa Cakes]

Quietly wander through the group, watch for lamb tails rising/flicking.

Mark the spot with your eye and then walk up to collect sample.

1 of two results:

1, you walk up and find a nice fresh sample where you expected it
2, you walk up and despite a 5 min search all you find are crusty dried out pellets of no use

How many samples would you need in a feild with 100 lambs?

 

[Jerry]

How many samples would you need in a feild with 100 lambs?

I normally take 10 samples.

 

[neilo]

How many samples would you need in a feild with 100 lambs?

Around 10% is the recommended sample size iirc.

If you gather the mob up and hold them in a corner with dogs (or gates) then they will normally defecate for you, then go and collect fresh samples. That's also the reason why it's annoying collecting samples directly from sheep that have just been penned.
Alternatively, pen the sheep and collect directly from the back ends of 10 lambs. Enjoy.

 

[Tim W]

Does she watch ti make sure it's from lambs? Would it make a big difference if some was from ewes ?

Avoid collecting ewes and lambs together ---you will get a poor accuracy result
With younger lambs i just watch and collect when they drop
As they get older i can put them in a corner with the dogs for a few minutes and then generally find enough ''steamers'' to make a good sample

 

[ISCO]

Does she watch ti make sure it's from lambs? Would it make a big difference if some was from ewes ?
Just from lambs gives better result

 

[Jaffa Cakes]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful. Out of curiosity how much do vets charge for a sample to be tested in your area?

 

[Tim W]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful. Out of curiosity how much do vets charge for a sample to be tested in your area?

a ridiculous amount usually
get a microscope & DIY
it's a simple process

 

[gwi1890]

a ridiculous amount usually
get a microscope & DIY
it's a simple process

can anyone recommend a microscope and kit for DIY?

 

[rancher]

Avoid collecting ewes and lambs together ---you will get a poor accuracy result
With younger lambs i just watch and collect when they drop
As they get older i can put them in a corner with the dogs for a few minutes and then generally find enough ''steamers'' to make a good sample

Ewes will have a high count most of the year so it completely distorts the result if their dung is included