Prevalence of gastrointestinal endoparasites in Waringin sheep (Ovis aries) fed with complete forage and forage-concentrate

Abstract Feed composition has a substantial impact on the persistence of gastrointestinal endoparasite infection in sheep. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of gastrointestinal endoparasites in Waringin sheep (Ovis aries) fed with complete forage and feed concentrate in Sidomulyo Village, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra. The study has been conducted from June to August 2020 with a total of 20 sheep for each type of feed. Fecal samples from each sheep were prepared for microscopical examination using sedimentation technique (glass beads). Gastrointestinal endoparasites was identifiedmorphologically. The results documented 3 genera of endoparasites namely Haemonchus (Nematoda), Fasciola (Trematoda) and Paramphistomum (Trematoda). Based on the type of forages, sheep fed with forage-concentrate showed a lower number of helminth eggs than the complete forage group. Haemonchus sp was identified as the most frequent parasite in both type of feeds. The intensity was categorized from mild-to-moderate level of infection. Provision of forage-concentrate was then proven to prevent a high rate of infection in Waringin sheep.