Back in Balance Minerals® presents another well-done project by Jennifer Crain and Liam Sayward for the Champlain Valley Science Fair 2015.
Determining the Effectiveness of Types of Copper Against Sheep Parasites
By Jennifer Crain, Liam Sayward for Champlain Valley Science Fair, April 2015ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this project was to determine the effectiveness of different types of copper against parasites in Icelandic sheep. Due to the concern of copper toxicity in sheep, chemical anthelmintics, commonly called dewormers, became the method of choice for treating sheep parasites. Over time parasites have built up resistance to the chemical dewormers. Scientists are now recommending shepherds employ a varied approach for treating parasites, including the use of copper in the form of copper oxide wire particles. This project looks at the effectiveness of copper oxide wire particle (COWP) boluses and chelated copper in loose minerals to treat parasites in Icelandic sheep. We predicted that there would be a dramatic decrease in the parasite loads of a sheep receiving any form of copper and an increase in parasite load for sheep receiving no form of copper. Sheep receiving minerals with copper were suspected to have the best results as the copper in the minerals is bioavailable and therefore will affect the parasites right away. Since COWP are slowly released in the blood stream, it was suspected they would not be as effective as the loose minerals containing high levels of copper. The data showed that copper was effective, but the COWP produced the quickest decrease while loose copper minerals produced better long term results. Based on the analysis of the data of this one month study, Icelandic sheep farmers should give sheep COWP boluses when the sheep have a significant parasite load. The farmer should then use loose minerals containing copper to keep the parasite load below significant levels.
Determining the Effectiveness of Types of Copper Against Sheep Parasites
By Jennifer Crain, Liam Sayward for Champlain Valley Science Fair, April 2015ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this project was to determine the effectiveness of different types of copper against parasites in Icelandic sheep. Due to the concern of copper toxicity in sheep, chemical anthelmintics, commonly called dewormers, became the method of choice for treating sheep parasites. Over time parasites have built up resistance to the chemical dewormers. Scientists are now recommending shepherds employ a varied approach for treating parasites, including the use of copper in the form of copper oxide wire particles. This project looks at the effectiveness of copper oxide wire particle (COWP) boluses and chelated copper in loose minerals to treat parasites in Icelandic sheep. We predicted that there would be a dramatic decrease in the parasite loads of a sheep receiving any form of copper and an increase in parasite load for sheep receiving no form of copper. Sheep receiving minerals with copper were suspected to have the best results as the copper in the minerals is bioavailable and therefore will affect the parasites right away. Since COWP are slowly released in the blood stream, it was suspected they would not be as effective as the loose minerals containing high levels of copper. The data showed that copper was effective, but the COWP produced the quickest decrease while loose copper minerals produced better long term results. Based on the analysis of the data of this one month study, Icelandic sheep farmers should give sheep COWP boluses when the sheep have a significant parasite load. The farmer should then use loose minerals containing copper to keep the parasite load below significant levels.

effectiveness_of__copper_against_sheep_parasites_2015.pdf | |
File Size: | 10053 kb |
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Back in Balance Minerals® is pleased to present a project done by Grace Sayward and Liam Sayward. The researchers chose to study the effects of copper on Icelandic sheep wool color and parasites. The Abstract is below. Please download the file for the complete study.
Effect of Copper on Both Wool Color and Parasite Load of Icelandic Sheep
By Grace Sayward, Liam Sayward for Ying Tri-Regional Science Fair 23 March 2014
By Grace Sayward, Liam Sayward for Ying Tri-Regional Science Fair 23 March 2014
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this project is to determine the effect of copper on Icelandic sheep. All sheep need some copper; some say Icelandic sheep need more copper than other sheep breeds. Because sheep can be easily poisoned by too much copper, sheep minerals do not contain copper. This project considers the effect of giving higher levels of copper to Icelandic sheep to determine if the added copper will effect the color of the wool and reduce the parasite load from Haemonchus contortus worm. We predict that by feeding Icelandic sheep goat minerals containing high levels of copper, the faded black and brown Icelandic sheep will regain the color of their wool. The added copper levels will decrease the amount Haemonchus contortus parasites the sheep have. The decrease in parasites will be visible through eye membrane evaluations using the FAMACHA scale. Fifteen ewes were offered loose goat minerals containing a high percentage of copper. Two ram lambs were given loose minerals without copper. Photographs of the wool color were taken and FAMACHA scores were collected to determine anemia levels. 100% of the colored sheep showed improvement in wool pigmentation. 67% of the sheep showed improvement in FAMACHA scores while 27% remained the same. The sheep starting with the highest FAMACHA scores and the most parasite load showed the most improvement in four weeks. Icelandic sheep should receive a mineral containing copper to maintain the wool pigmentation of the black and brown sheep and to fight infestation of the Haemonchus contortus parasite.
1.0 Purpose
The purpose of this project is to determine the effect of copper on Icelandic sheep. All sheep need some copper; it is said that Icelandic sheep need more copper than other sheep breeds. Generally most breeds of sheep can not handle high levels of copper; therefore, sheep minerals contain low levels of copper to prevent copper poisoning. The Icelandic Sheep Breeders Association recommends high levels of copper be given to Icelandic sheep for the prevention of parasites and to maintain wool color. This project's primary focus looks at whether giving high levels of copper will affect the color of the wool. The secondary focus looks at the effect of copper on eye membranes to determine if the parasite load from Haemonchus contortus, also known as the barber pole worm, is reduced.
2.0 Hypothesis
We own and raise Icelandic sheep. Our flock consists of three black sheep, five moorit (brown) sheep and nine white/spotted sheep. Over time, the wool color of the black and moorit sheep has faded. We predict that by feeding Icelandic sheep goat minerals, which contain high levels of copper, the faded black and brown Icelandic sheep will regain the color of their wool. The added copper levels will decrease the amount of Haemonchus contortus parasites the sheep have. The decrease in parasites will be visible through eye membrane evaluations using the FAMACHA scale.
The purpose of this project is to determine the effect of copper on Icelandic sheep. All sheep need some copper; some say Icelandic sheep need more copper than other sheep breeds. Because sheep can be easily poisoned by too much copper, sheep minerals do not contain copper. This project considers the effect of giving higher levels of copper to Icelandic sheep to determine if the added copper will effect the color of the wool and reduce the parasite load from Haemonchus contortus worm. We predict that by feeding Icelandic sheep goat minerals containing high levels of copper, the faded black and brown Icelandic sheep will regain the color of their wool. The added copper levels will decrease the amount Haemonchus contortus parasites the sheep have. The decrease in parasites will be visible through eye membrane evaluations using the FAMACHA scale. Fifteen ewes were offered loose goat minerals containing a high percentage of copper. Two ram lambs were given loose minerals without copper. Photographs of the wool color were taken and FAMACHA scores were collected to determine anemia levels. 100% of the colored sheep showed improvement in wool pigmentation. 67% of the sheep showed improvement in FAMACHA scores while 27% remained the same. The sheep starting with the highest FAMACHA scores and the most parasite load showed the most improvement in four weeks. Icelandic sheep should receive a mineral containing copper to maintain the wool pigmentation of the black and brown sheep and to fight infestation of the Haemonchus contortus parasite.
1.0 Purpose
The purpose of this project is to determine the effect of copper on Icelandic sheep. All sheep need some copper; it is said that Icelandic sheep need more copper than other sheep breeds. Generally most breeds of sheep can not handle high levels of copper; therefore, sheep minerals contain low levels of copper to prevent copper poisoning. The Icelandic Sheep Breeders Association recommends high levels of copper be given to Icelandic sheep for the prevention of parasites and to maintain wool color. This project's primary focus looks at whether giving high levels of copper will affect the color of the wool. The secondary focus looks at the effect of copper on eye membranes to determine if the parasite load from Haemonchus contortus, also known as the barber pole worm, is reduced.
2.0 Hypothesis
We own and raise Icelandic sheep. Our flock consists of three black sheep, five moorit (brown) sheep and nine white/spotted sheep. Over time, the wool color of the black and moorit sheep has faded. We predict that by feeding Icelandic sheep goat minerals, which contain high levels of copper, the faded black and brown Icelandic sheep will regain the color of their wool. The added copper levels will decrease the amount of Haemonchus contortus parasites the sheep have. The decrease in parasites will be visible through eye membrane evaluations using the FAMACHA scale.

science_fair_2014.pdf | |
File Size: | 301 kb |
File Type: |