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The use of chicory for parasite control in organic ewes and their lambs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2006

S. ATHANASIADOU ,
D. GRAY ,
D. YOUNIE ,
O. TZAMALOUKAS ,
F. JACKSON  and
I. KYRIAZAKIS
S. ATHANASIADOU
Affiliation:
Animal Nutrition and Health Department, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
D. GRAY
Affiliation:
Consultancy Division, Scottish Agricultural College, Craibstone Estate, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK
D. YOUNIE
Affiliation:
Consultancy Division, Scottish Agricultural College, Craibstone Estate, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK
O. TZAMALOUKAS
Affiliation:
Animal Nutrition and Health Department, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
F. JACKSON
Affiliation:
Parasitology Division, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
I. KYRIAZAKIS
Affiliation:
Animal Nutrition and Health Department, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential benefits of grazing lactating ewes and their lambs on chicory (Cichorium intybus). Fifty-six certified organic twin-rearing ewes were either drenched with an anthelmintic or not, within 2 days after parturition and were grazed upon either grass/clover or chicory pastures. Around 12 weeks after parturition a subset of 12 lambs per treatment was slaughtered for worm number and parasite species determination. The faecal egg counts of lambs from undrenched ewes grazing on chicory were significantly lower than those of lambs from undrenched ewes grazing on grass. Lambs grazing on chicory had similar abomasal worm counts as those grazing on grass at 12 weeks of age; the predominant species was Teladorsagia circumcincta. There was no difference between the intestinal worm counts in lambs grazing on grass or chicory, with Trichostrongylus vitrinus being the predominant species. Liveweight gains over the 126-day experimental period were significantly higher in lambs from drenched than those from undrenched ewes. Lambs from undrenched ewes grazing on chicory had higher liveweight gains compared to those from undrenched ewes grazing on grass. Although chicory grazing did not affect ewe nematode egg excretion, it resulted in lower egg counts in lambs and improved their liveweight gains to the same level as those deriving from drenched ewes.

Keywords

alternativesbioactivechicorynematodesnutritionorganicparasites
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 134 , Issue 2 , February 2007 , pp. 299 - 307
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press

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