Faecal Egg Count (FEC)

For years, the idea of conducting Faecal Egg Count (FEC) testing was something Ben Westby of Craigenquarroch Farmhouse toyed with but never committed to. 

He believed that by the time he’d gathered his sheep to collect samples, he could have already dosed them, making the testing an unnecessary waste of time. Additionally, he was deterred by the cost, assuming it was always cheaper to dose rather than test. Despite encouragement, he didn’t take the plunge until Carrs Billington started selling FECPAK Test Kits. Picking up a couple of kits was the turning point— and he hasn’t looked back.

Ben’s testing frequency varies depending on the results, but the process is incredibly straightforward. “I take samples on Sunday, store them in the fridge before posting them from Scotland on Monday morning. By Tuesday evening, I’ve received an email with FEC results and recommendations.” Ben says this timely service allows him to make informed decisions about whether to treat his flock.

While Ben says the benefit of using FECPAK Test Kits is more than merely saving. The process is quick and easy, but importantly, it’s helping combat resistance on his farm. Ben understands using wormers effectively prevents resistance which could have significant financial implications in the future.

Ben believes the biggest change has been his approach to dosing. Instead of automatically bringing a group in for dosing, he takes a measured approach. With a postal test kit always on hand, he can quickly collect a sample and within 48 hours he knows exactly what he’s dealing with and if dosing is even necessary.

Ben’s advice to other farmers is simple: don’t assume that dosing is always the cheaper or easier option. “This summer, testing my lambs revealed low worm egg numbers and as a result, I avoided unnecessary dosing. The lambs thrived and subsequent tests showed that the worm burden was decreasing. In the past, I would have dosed at least once, maybe even twice during this period. Instead, I saved time and money while preventing resistance. Testing is quick, easy, and will save money in the long run, while protecting the effectiveness of wormers on your farm”.