Selbstmedikation bei Schafen als eine Ökologisierungsmaßnahme für die Landwirtschaft

Summary

Self-medication describes the free choice behaviour of animals to select food - and/or
medical plants depending on their health status. In 2007 a case study about endoparasitic
nematodes (MDS) in sheep was done. This included the monitoring of MDS in
fresh animal manure and the foraging behaviour of the flock. As a result, adult sheep
seemed to be able to control the level of MDS on a moderate level, whereas the first
year lambs obvious failed to do so. Looking at the corresponding forage behaviour a
few plants could be detected with a possible characteristic of animal self-medication of
MDS through sheep. Further analysis of plant metabolites and experimental on-farm
research with a mix of plants should clear this hypothesis.