Characteristics of Autochthonous Pirot Sheep and its Reaction to the Presence of Parasites

Abstract

The research was conducted in the population of the Pirot's autochthonous sheep in the area of Stara Planina Mountain, East Serbia. The production characteristics of sheep, milk yield and body weight, were observed. Oestrus is most pronounced in July (58%), then in August (33%), while lambs reach a weight of 22 kg at three months. Before experiment flock from which separated animals from examination we were examined to presence of parasitic infection, with coprological examination. A total of 21 animals were examined after slaughter. We revealed same gastrointestinal helminths: Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Dictyocaulus filaria, Ostertagia circumcincta, Os.ostertagi, Trchostrongylus axe, Tr colubriformis, Nematodirus filicollis, N,spathige, Haemonchus contortu, Marshallagia marshalli, Chabertia ovina, Oesophagostomum venulosumand Bunostomum trigonocephalum. After that, from herd were separated 100 one year old sheep and individually coprological examined to confirm the presence of parasite infections. The sheep were divided into two groups of 50 animals each - experimental and control group. First group has treated with the albendazole-based anthelmintic in dose 7.5 mg/kg through food. The second group has treated after the examination with same anthelmintic. A comparison of the obtained results indicates that in the group of treated animals body weight was average higher by 4.4 kg and milk yield was average higher by 231.08 g. The parasites significantly affected the weight and daily milk yield of sheep. The conclusion is that serious prevention in terms of sheep parasites is necessary.

Keywords

• body weight
• milk
• parasites
• pirot sheep