A Detailed Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Health Management in Dairy Sheep and Goats

Abstract

The objective of this work was to develop, use and present a detailed questionnaire for the evaluation of health management in dairy small ruminants; it includes 442 questions organised in seven sections: general, infrastructure, animals, production characteristics, health management, nutrition, human resources. Consistency of replies was evaluated in 27 farmers, interviewed twice. Inconsistent replies were given by all farmers to 30 different questions (Cronbach’s coefficient alpha: 0.987). Then, interviews were performed in 444 farms around Greece. Mean duration of an interview was 63.6 min. Clarifications were requested by 273 farmers to 22 different questions (maximum per farmer: 8). The experience of the investigator, the primary language of farmers and asking clarifications by the farmers affected the duration of the interview. The questionnaire can be used for research work in the field, to record details in the farms under study. In accord with the needs of a particular study, it can be modified, by adding more specific questions or omitting others deemed of less importance. Moreover, it can also be used for routine monitoring purposes, as a useful means to record and maintain details of farms during clinical work. To the best of our knowledge, the questionnaire is the most extensive and detailed one available internationally for dairy small ruminants.

Extensive Countrywide Field Investigation of Somatic Cell Counts and Total Bacterial Counts in Bulk-Tank Raw Milk in Sheep Flocks in Greece

“…A total of 325 dairy sheep flocks in the 13 administrative regions of Greece ( Figure 1 ) were included into the study and visited for collection of samples and information; visits had been scheduled to 327 flocks, but on two occasions (0.6%), whilst the investigators had already arrived at these farms, the respective farmers refused to collaborate. Veterinarians active in small ruminant health management around Greece, were contacted by telephone and asked if they wished to collaborate in the investigation [ 7 ]; in total, 48 veterinarians were contacted and of these, 47 (97.9%) agreed to collaborate. Flocks were selected by the collaborating veterinarians on a convenience basis (willingness of farmers to accept a visit by University personnel for an interview and sample collection).…”

“…At the start of each visit, an interview of the farmer was performed by using a detailed questionnaire [ 7 ] to record management practices and health issues in the flock. On each visit, four 20 mL samples were collected from the bulk-tank milk using aseptic sampling techniques (two samples were for cell counting and composition measurement and two samples were for the bacteriological examinations).…”

Extensive countrywide field investigation of somatic cell counts and total bacterial counts in bulk tank raw milk in goat herds in Greece

“…Initially, veterinarians active in small ruminant health management around Greece, were contacted by telephone and asked if they wished to collaborate in the investigation (Lianou et al ., 2020). A total of 48 veterinarians were contacted and of these, 47 (97.9%) agreed to collaborate.…”

“…At the start of each visit, an interview of the farmer was performed using a detailed questionnaire (Lianou et al ., 2020) to record management practices and health issues in the herd. On each visit, four 20 ml samples were collected from the bulk-tank milk using aseptic sampling techniques.…”

Antibiotic Resistance of Staphylococci from Bulk-Tank Milk of Sheep Flocks: Prevalence, Patterns, Association with Biofilm Formation, Effects on Milk Quality, and Risk Factors

“…Initially, the management practices applied in the flocks were recorded during an interview with the shepherd by means of a detailed questionnaire [11]. Bulk-tank milk samples were taken aseptically from each flock for somatic cell counting, milk composition evaluation, and bacteriological examinations.…”