You can either take a fecal sample to your vet as described below, or you can learn to do it yourself. You will need a microscope, however.
To collect a fecal sample, gather a few FRESH pellets from as many different sheep as you can and mix the boluses in a bag.
Here are three do-it-yourself fecal testing sources:
� I purchased a fecal kit from Farmstead Health Supply ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) for about $20 if I remember correctly. The instructions are clear, they include a chart showing what the worms look like, and all you need is the microscope. The kit can do 8-12 tests.
� Alternatively, I found Sue Reith's Web site at http://www.saanendoah.com/fecals.html that describes how to do your own fecal counts (for goats). She uses a store-bought flotation solution. You can contact her to get pictures of what various worms look like and she also recommends a good reference book.
� Finally, I found another site at http://www.hawaii.edu/ansc/Proceed/Hhl/peggs.htm that describes how to do it using a home-made flotation solution. But, again, there are no pictures to help you identify the eggs. That's why I think the Farmstead kit is useful. The pictures aren't great, but they're better than nothing.
� There are some useful pictures of various parasites at http://www.apacapacas.com/parasites/index.html
At 07:09 AM 2/27/2003 -0800, you wrote:
I still would welcome knowing more on how to identify whether my sheep need deworming.
Carol Elkins Critterhaven Estate Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep (no shear, no dock, no fuss) Pueblo, Colorado http://www.critterhaven.biz NEW! T-shirts, mugs, mousepads, and more at the Blackbelly Online Store http://www.cafeshops.com/cp/store.aspx?s=blackbellysheep =============================================== This message is from the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep mailing list. To respond to this message, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe or change your membership options, go to http://lists.coyotenet.net/mailman/listinfo/blackbelly
