ESTUDO COMPARATIVO DO SISTEMA FAMACHA ENTRE CAPRINOS E OVINOS SOB O MESMO MANEJO PRODUTIVO NO SERTÃO BAIANO

This study evaluates the FAMACHA method used by sheep and goat producers in the semi-arid region of Bahia, Brazil. A total of 60 crossbred Anglo Nubian goats and 60 crossbred sheep (Santa Ines x Dorper) were assessed. Animals were aged 4-6 months and had an average weight of 31,4 and 27,5 kg, respectively. Both groups were raised in a semi-extensive system and shared the same stalls in a farm located in the city of Feira de Santana from July to December 2008. Mean and standard derivations of the nematode fecal egg counts (EPG) in goats were 1756 ± 670, 2013 ± 942, and 2013 ± 942 (FAMACHA 2, 3 and 4), whereas average EPG values in sheep were 335 ± 248, 537 ± 487, and 1736 ± 2263  (FAMACHA 1, 2 and 3). Packed cell volumes (PCV) in goats were 27 ± 2,20, 25 ± 2,49, and 21 ± 3,55 (FAMACHA 2, 3 and 4), and PVC in sheep were 33 ± 2,17, 32 ± 1,66, and 26 ± 5,36 (FAMACHA 1, 2 and 3). Therefore, values of EPG and PCV were significantly different as regards FAMACHA scores of goats and sheep raised in the same conditions.