Relationships between Famacha scores and some blood values in sheep and goats

Abstract

In this study, Akkaraman sheep and Hair goats raised extensively on the same farm were scored with the FAMACHA card. Score 1 was not present in both sheep and goats, whereas scores 5 and 2 were not detected in sheep and goats, respectively. While the number of animals with scores of 2, 3, and 4 was 9, 46, and 55 in sheep, the number of animals with 3, 4, and 5 scores in goats was 6, 55, and 41, respectively. In the study, the differences in the amount of RBC, Hct, and Hb in goats according to these score groups were found statistically significant, confirming anemia (p < 0.01). The number of animals with a score of 3–4 was 101 in the sheep population. Compared to the sheep population, a more serious anemic condition was observed in goats. However, differences in Hct and Hb amounts according to these score groups were statistically significant, confirming anemia (p < 0.05). As a result, it was concluded that the relationships between scoring by using the FAMACHA card and hematological blood analysis in the detection of anemia are more effective in goats, whereas it is also possible to use it in sheep.