Nik Siti Mariani, W. H.1*, Halimatun, Y.2 and Wan Zahari, M.3
Abstract
This study was conducted at Koperasi Pembangunan Desa Goat Farm, Papar, Sabah, to detect internal parasite infestation in the lactating Boer does using the FAMACHA© method. One hundred female pure Boer goats aged 2 to 3 years were randomly selected. The farmer’s data was used to determine the stages of lactation and the type of birth. All does were examined for their ocular mucous membrane using the FAMACHA© method and body condition score (BCS). Five does from each category of the FAMACHA© method were randomly selected for faecal egg count and identification of helminth. The result shows that 55% of does are in early lactation, 39% are in mid lactation and 5% are in late lactation. The birth data indicated that 92% of births were single, while 8% were twins. Only 20% of the does in categories 1 and 2 (FAMACHA© method) were healthy and non-anaemic. The remaining 80% (categories 3, 4 and 5) were anaemic. Under this, 18.8% is severely anaemic. Only 47% of the does in categories 1, 2 and 3 had a good body (BCS of 3), while 53% of the does in categories 4 and 5 had thin bodies (BCS of 2). For eggs/g (EPG), only 20% of the does (categories 1 and 2) had a low infestation, whereas 80% of the does (categories 3, 4 and 5) had severe infestations. The larvae culture shows that 92% of the population is Haemonchus contortus, and 8% is Monezia spp. A strong correlation (P <0.01) existed between the FAMACHA© method, EPG and BCS. This study revealed that the majority of female pure Boer goats at early lactation and mid lactation stages in this farm were infested with an internal parasite, particularly Haemonchus contortus.
Keywords: internal parasite, FAMACHA© method, pure Boer does, lactation
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