Control of Nematodirus spp. infection by sheep flock owners in Northern Ireland

Table 1 The questions posed and potential responses to the questionnaire, together with the number (N) and percentage (%) of flock owners indicating the applicable response

Question	Potential Response	Percentage (number of respondents)
Do you treat specifically for Nematodirus spp. infection?	Yes No	81.6 (186) 18.4 (42)
How is the decision made to treat the animals?	AFBI forecast Faecal egg count Presence of scour Advice of veterinarian Advice of other farmers Same day annually Dependent on weather At turnout At 6 weeks of age As needed	19.7 (45) 7.9 (18) 47.4 (108) 14.5 (33) 53 (12) 23.7 (54) 6.6 (15) 1.3 (3) 5.3 (12) 5.3 (12)
Is every animal treated, or is only a percentage treated?	100% <100%	97.4 (222) 2.6 (6)
How is the volume of drench determined?	Estimate individual Group average Heaviest in group Weigh individual	40.3 (92) 10.2 (23) 48.2 (110) 1.3 (3)
Is the equipment checked before use?	Never Sometimes Always	17.3 (39) 52.0 (119) 30.7 (70)
Where is the product stored when not in use?	Fridge Cabinet/Cupboard Garage/Shed/Workshop	11.0 (25) 69.9 (159) 19.1 (44)
Is “best before” date checked before use?	Never Sometimes Always	8.0 (18) 29.3 (67) 62.7 (143)

(As the decision to treat is often multi-factorial, the denominator for percentage calculation is set as the number of returned questionnaires (228) and the numerator is the tally of flock owners indicating each potential response)