[Surveys on animal health and herd protection management in sheep and goat farms].

Abstract

Objective: Prophylactic measures such as quarantine, vaccinations, preventive examinations, and participation in animal disease monitoring programs are important tools for good animal health monitoring. Although individual aspects of animal health measures in small ruminants in Germany have already been investigated, comprehensive analyses on their frequency and implementation at the farm level are still lacking. In addition, the population spread of wolves in Germany has raised the importance of herd protection measures against this predator. The aim of this study is to assess the current situation and, based on this, to identify options for optimization.

Material and methods: In collaboration with the Hessian Association for Sheep Breeding/Keeping (Hessischer Verband für Schafzucht/-haltung e.V.) and the Hessian Goat Breeding Association (Hessischer Ziegenzuchtverband e.V.), a questionnaire was developed to assess the situation of sheep and goat farming in Hesse. The questionnaire was made publicly available online and sent to livestock owners in written form. Specific questions were evaluated statistically using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test.

Results: A total of 112 sheep farmers and 66 goat farmers participated in the survey. Around half of the livestock farmers surveyed (50,0% of sheep farmers and 50,0% of goat farmers) purchase animals on a regular basis. More goat farmers (74,2%) than sheep farmers (33,0%) pay attention to whether the animals originate from a farm that participates in animal disease monitoring. 61,0% of sheep farmers and 60,0% of goat farmers quarantine newly purchased animals. This quarantine period lasts between 2 and 4 weeks. Vaccinations are carried out at almost the same frequency on sheep and goat farms (sheep farmers: 43,9%, goat farmers: 48,2%). In more than half of the farms (sheep: 51,4%; goats: 54,2%), deworming of the animals takes place without prior fecal examination. In one-third of sheep farms and one-fifth of goat farms, the same preparation is always used. The majority of the livestock owners surveyed (sheep farmers: 81,0%, goat farmers: 71,2%) are satisfied with the veterinary care they receive. Herd protection measures are only established in just below half of sheep farms (45,5%). The most commonly used measure for this is fencing, with electric fences of various heights (78,1%) being the most popular.

Conclusion: Based on the survey biosecurity is implemented on many farms but applied inconsistently. There is potential for improvement in animal purchasing, vaccination management and parasite control.

Clinical relevance: The results of the survey indicate that many of the farms have deficits in the areas of animal health monitoring and disease prevention. These can be minimized by the use of targeted management and veterinary advice.