FEC testing in field

Pasty

Member
Location
Devon
Going to get the MVF kit to see what needs to be done to my little flock of 2015 and 2016 born ewes. They are out in the field but favour one area for sleeping. Do I just pick 10 random samples from that area or do I need to make sure each is from a different sheep ie. follow them around with a plastic glove......?

I guess what I'm asking is will they likely all have the same worm types? Also a couple lambs in there at the mo. Should they be tested separately?
 
You need as fresh as possible. In an ideal world you would pen them up and collect the samples after an hour or two. We tend to use it as an R&R activity an potter round the field til we have 10 but having typed this I realise how sad that sounds. It's important just to pick them up at random - don't select for runny etc. If you only have a few so getting 10 takes forever you can send less - just mark it clearly. Remember someone with 100 in a field will still only be sending 10 samples. I had a group of 9 last year! (I do my own though.)
 
mucky bums can be lush grass? Assuming they are very healthy with no other aliments? Worth blood testing for mineral diff, Johnes, lepto etc. Fluke? My understanding (questionable) if prev gut problems may continue as adults. Lots of experienced sheep people on here who can confirm better.
 

bovine

Member
Location
North
Test ewes and lambs separately. If ewes mucky then an egg count is much better than just worming.

Either collect 10 samples in separate gloves/bags or be careful that you put in equal amounts from each animal.

I'd encourage you to use your vets rather than MVF as I've seen some rather questionable advice from the results. They seem to do them themselves with no external quality control and advice that may seemingly goe against SCOPS. Do a search on here for some examples but I've had private messages and a couple of incidents with my clients.....
 
Test ewes and lambs separately. If ewes mucky then an egg count is much better than just worming.

Either collect 10 samples in separate gloves/bags or be careful that you put in equal amounts from each animal.

I'd encourage you to use your vets rather than MVF as I've seen some rather questionable advice from the results. They seem to do them themselves with no external quality control and advice that may seemingly goe against SCOPS. Do a search on here for some examples but I've had private messages and a couple of incidents with my clients.....

Have to agree. I think it's fair to say you need to "know about FECs and worms" to get the best from their results, sometimes.
 

Pasty

Member
Location
Devon
Thanks. I think I'll call the vet. Haven't used them yet as a 'farm' other than years ago when Dad and brother were running it. Same practice so best I let them know what I'm up to and as a novice, might be better to get a trained eye over them this time, even if it costs a bit more.
 

Frank-the-Wool

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Sussex
Thanks. I think I'll call the vet. Haven't used them yet as a 'farm' other than years ago when Dad and brother were running it. Same practice so best I let them know what I'm up to and as a novice, might be better to get a trained eye over them this time, even if it costs a bit more.

Ask them how much they will charge you first!!
This is not rocket science and if you want to make any money out of sheep the less you use a Vet the better. Apologies to @bovine but most around here will want £50.00 before even putting their wellies on.
 

Henarar

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Somerset
Thanks. I think I'll call the vet. Haven't used them yet as a 'farm' other than years ago when Dad and brother were running it. Same practice so best I let them know what I'm up to and as a novice, might be better to get a trained eye over them this time, even if it costs a bit more.
you don't need to have the vet out just take the muck to them let them test it and ask advice, always shop around but we find the vets cheaper for wormer anyway
 

bovine

Member
Location
North
This is not rocket science and if you want to make any money out of sheep the less you use a Vet the better. Apologies to @bovine

A good vet who understands sheep will make your business far more money than they cost you. That does mean spending a little money to find out what you need, what things have died of etc. If you just see a vet as an expense to be avoided then you are not using them in the most effective way. Its amazing how much over use and misuse there is regarding so many products.
 

CornishLleyn

Member
Location
Wiltshire
A good vet who understands sheep will make your business far more money than they cost you. That does mean spending a little money to find out what you need, what things have died of etc. If you just see a vet as an expense to be avoided then you are not using them in the most effective way. Its amazing how much over use and misuse there is regarding so many products.

I see out vets as an essential business partner, and over the years I'm sure they've saved me more that's they've cost.

It's good asset management really.
 

Frank-the-Wool

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Sussex
A good vet who understands sheep will make your business far more money than they cost you. That does mean spending a little money to find out what you need, what things have died of etc. If you just see a vet as an expense to be avoided then you are not using them in the most effective way. Its amazing how much over use and misuse there is regarding so many products.

The problem is that you live and work in what are traditional livestock areas. Those of us who only have small animal and TB testing vets that have little or no experience of sheep find it hard to get good advice.
Our last Vets gave up all large animals and the present ones while adequate for advice on drugs are still mainly Cats & Dogs. They get used to what they can charge for small animals and translate the same charges across to farms.

The last good sheep Vet in the S.East has just retired!
I am sure you are right in what a good Vet can save in advice, it is finding the good vet who charges less than £120.00 an hour plus call out that is difficult.
 

Jonny_2

Member
Spent a fortune with vet last 2 years, found out we are cobalt and copper deficient and that we don't have white drench resistance yet. Both things that will increase profit in the long run. FEC before we housed them found out we didn't need to worm ewes so saved money there. IMO money spent at vets preventing problems is money well spent
 

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