Influence of a Moxidectin treatment in ewes of two German sheep breeds on the growth rate of their lambs

Gastrointestinal nematode infections tended to be less severe in Leine sheep. The anthelmintic treatment did not influence growth rates of Leine lambs, suggesting a potentially higher nematode resistance or tolerance in this breed. In German Black Head Mutton, single born lambs from Moxidectin-treated ewes had higher growth rates compared to single born lambs from untreated ewes, whereas no differences could be observed between lambs from treated and untreated ewes that had more than one lamb. These findings may be a consequence of differences in intake of milk, concentrate, and hay.