Effect of strategic anthelmintic treatments on growth performance and survival rate of indigenous lambs in sub-humid Mali

The study was carried out in the sub-humid environment of Mali from May 1989 to April 1990. Djallonke female and male lambs (n = 552) were randomly allocated at birth to three treatment groups: Fenbendazole (PanacurR, Hoechst, Germany) at 10 mg/kg−1 BW; Fenbendazole + AmproliumR (a coccidiostat) at 10 mg/kg−1 BW; and control. Depending upon period of birth and season the two first groups were treated one to four times. Daily weight gain of treated lambs was higher (P < 0.05) than that of control lambs during the period from September to December corresponding to the end of the rainy season then slightly decreased thereafter. This reduction in live weight gain was attributed to shortage and poor quality of fodder during the dry season. Treatment with Fenbendazole alone or combined with Amprolium did not affect the rate of lamb mortality as equal number of deaths were observed in all groups.