[andywalt]

Hi

How do you do a worm count? the poo are very small like rabbit droppings? that come out like smarties from a sweet machine, do i would get a handful put them in a tray and break them apart? what am i looking for and what numbers of worms are bad?  id be grateful if someone could advise.

thanks

[supplies for smallholders]

Hi,

Worm counts are most reliably done in a laboratory - either through a vet or certain companies advertise their services by post.

Simply get some poo - send it off and get the results, it will tell you what sort of worms and how bad the worm burdon is, that will give the information you need to know to choose the correct wormer.

From your recent posts it looks like you are jumping in at the deep end, Is there any way you could arrange to spend a day with a local sheep farmer to get some actual "hands on" prior to your flock arriving? It would be invaluable, if only to learn the best way to flip a sheep over to trim feet, or how and where to inject and drench.

Most importantly - remember with sheep that if they wake up one morning and want to die - then they will, if a cloud is the wrong shape and they dont like it, then they will go off to a corner and die 

Good Luck - and try to get that Hands on, it will save you a lot of worry

[andywalt]

I hope I am not sounding helpless, i have had 15 years experiance with cattle some years back, the reason Im here is to hear from others experiances as so many people have different views and ways and its great to hear them all, this summer ive had 10 store lambs and they have done great. I am appreciating all the views and taking them on board for when I may need them.

thats very interesting to know I can send off for a worm count and to see which wormer would be best thats very helpful. is that a very expensive service?

 

[supplies for smallholders]

Hi,

SAC offer a "Wormscan" bulk service (10 or more sheep) for around £17 but any vetenary lab can do it for you.

Interesting Link:

http://www.farmersguardian.com/monitoring-of-worm-egg-counts-is-vital/8465.article

[andywalt]

thats great   thank you

[Cinderhills]

I am thinking of getting a worm count for my sheep and goats but our vet charges 14 pounds for each sample!

[Rosemary]

Westgate is about £10, I think.

[Anke]

For the sheep I do a pooled sample, just take a wee bit of several fresh droppings. Also if the sheep are on fresh ground, their droppings look like the above described raisins/smarties or whatever, I wouldn't worry too much about worms.

same for goats really. I do worm counts for my goats individually, but only if their droppings get a bit loose and their coats loose their shine a bit. But then worm the lot, so they all are on the same regime. Mine then go out onto same pasture, not much choice at the moment.

My vet also charges about 14 pounds per sample, but its a next day result, and I can take the sample to the local lab, just down the road. Too easy to try and save a few pounds, as the post office is in the same village!

But check for fluke - talk to the vet. S/He will know if it is a local problem. I do have it.