Ruminant Faecal Egg Counting & Sustainable Parasite Management

Learn to carry out reliable faecal egg counts—and understand what your results mean.

Develop the knowledge and practical skills to test sheep, goat and cattle faecal samples, recognise parasite eggs and use your findings to support informed parasite management decisions.

The FEC it® online ruminant course combines narrated teaching, step-by-step practical demonstrations and real microscope footage, guiding you from the science behind the test to interpreting your results.

* 18 learning sections | 17 narrated video lessons | 45 knowledge-check questions *

* 4 hours of video teaching · Approximately 6–8 hours of study · Learn at your own pace *

Understand the process. Develop your skills. Make your results meaningful.

Perhaps you want to start testing your own animals. Perhaps you already carry out counts but would like more confidence in your technique or identification skills.


This course helps you understand every stage of the process: choosing equipment, collecting samples, preparing and examining them, calculating a count and deciding what the result can tell you.

You’ll also explore the limitations of faecal egg counting, when other tests are needed and how monitoring fits into sustainable parasite management for horses and donkeys.

What will you learn to do?

By completing the course, you’ll learn how to:
  • Choose suitable equipment and understand the roles of your microscope, counting slides and flotation solution.
  • Collect, label and store samples correctly to protect the reliability of your results.
  • Prepare and examine samples using the McMaster method, following a consistent process.
  • Recognise ruminant parasite eggs using their size, shape and internal features.
  • Distinguish parasite eggs from confusing debris and other material under the microscope.
  • Calculate and record eggs per gram, keeping an accurate tally.
  • Interpret results in context, considering the animal’s age, health, history and circumstances.
  • Understand wormer efficacy testing and resistance, including why checking treatment effectiveness matters.
  • Use testing within a wider management plan, alongside pasture management, nutritional requirements and biosecurity.

See the methods explained and demonstrated


Narrated lessons that explain why -

Spoken explanations accompany the visuals, helping you understand the principles behind each technique and why individual steps matter.

Practical demonstrations you can follow -

Watch sample preparation, McMaster testing and passive flotation demonstrated step by step, with guidance on technique and common sources of error.

Real microscope footage - 

Develop your eye for parasite identification by examining actual samples. Learn which features to look for and how to distinguish relevant findings from other material.


Opportunities to check your understanding - 

Work through 15 short quizzes containing 45 questions in total, helping you reinforce key points before moving on.

Your course outline

Build your understanding

Introduction
Get an overview of the course and the knowledge and practical skills you will develop.
Equipment required

Explore the equipment needed for faecal egg counting and what to consider when choosing microscopes, McMaster slides, flotation solutions and consumables.

Understanding parasites
Learn what parasites are, how they interact with their hosts and why effective parasite management matters.
Parasite lifecycles
Understand how parasites develop within the animal and the environment, and how weather and pasture conditions influence infection risk.
Immunity
Explore why susceptibility varies between animals and how immunity influences parasite risk and management.
Anthelmintic resistance

Learn how resistance develops and how treatment practices can help preserve the effectiveness of available wormers.

Testing wormer efficacy

Discover how faecal egg count reduction testing is used to assess treatment effectiveness, including sample timing and interpreting the outcome.

Develop your practical testing skills

Principles of flotation
Understand how flotation separates parasite eggs from faecal material and why the choice and preparation of solution matter.
McMaster slides

Learn how counting chambers work and how to use them correctly.  Learn to trouble-shoot when things don't go to plan.

Microscopes
Develop the microscope skills needed to examine samples clearly, supported by useful tips and care guidance.
Sample collection and storage
Learn how to collect, label and store samples, and how handling can affect your results.
Preparing a sample for examination
Follow the McMaster preparation process, including measuring, mixing and straining the sample.
Faecal testing using the McMaster method

Watch the testing process demonstrated, from loading the slide and examining the grids to counting eggs and calculating the result.  Learn about other testing methods such as sedimentation (for fluke eggs) and Baermann (for lungworm larvae) and the use of a centrifuge.

Passive flotation

Learn how to perform a qualitative flotation test, how it differs from a McMaster count and when it may provide useful additional information.

Recognise your findings and understand your results

Ruminant parasites
Explore the principal internal parasites affecting ruminants, their potential effects and how they are detected.
Ruminant parasites under the microscope

Use detailed microscope footage to learn the features that distinguish parasite eggs and other stages from non-parasitic material.

Interpretation of results
Understand what a faecal egg count can—and cannot—tell you, and how to consider findings alongside the animal’s condition and history.
Integrated parasite management
Bring your learning together in a lesson covering monitoring, targeted treatment, grazing management, nutrition and biosecurity.

Resources to support your learning and practical work

  • Downloadable key facts sheets to reinforce all main learning points.
  • Downloadable step-by-step faecal egg counting instructions.
  • Downloadable ruminant parasite identification charts.
  • Downloadable example parasite tally sheet.
  • Downloadable equipment guidance and microscope tips.
  • Downloadable supporting instructions covering centrifuge use, the Baermann technique for lungworm and sedimentation for liver fluke.
  • Optional reading and comprehensive external resources for optional further study.
  • Access to private FEC it® Facebook group - for ongoing support and discussion

Who is this course for?



This course is suitable for sheep, goat and cattle owners, smallholders, commercial farmers and anyone wishing to develop their understanding of faecal egg counting and sustainable parasite management.


It provides a structured introduction for new learners and an opportunity for those already testing to review their methods, strengthen identification skills and improve their understanding of results.

How long should I allow?



Allow approximately 6–8 hours to work through the videos, supporting materials and knowledge-check quizzes.




The course is self-paced, so you can study in manageable sections and revisit topics as you progress. Allow additional time for practical activities and optional further reading.

Do I need equipment before I start?



You can begin by learning the principles and reviewing the equipment guidance before purchasing equipment.

To practise the testing methods yourself, you will need a suitable microscope, McMaster slide, flotation solution and the necessary sample preparation equipment.

Choose your course option

Ruminant course £120

Complete teaching content without formal assessment


Includes all 18 learning sections, 17 narrated videos, knowledge-check quizzes and supporting resources.

Ideal if you want to develop your knowledge and practical skills without undertaking the separate LANTRA assessments.

Ruminant course with LANTRA certification — £180

Complete teaching content plus assessment and certification


Includes the same ruminant course content, together with the separate Core Skills and Ruminant assessments required for LANTRA certification.

Choose this option if you would like formal recognition of your learning.
Please choose your preferred option when booking. The LANTRA-accredited option includes online assessment and certification following successful completion. Assessment cannot currently be added after purchase.

Also care for equines?

The Equine & Ruminant bundle gives you access to both species courses for £180 without formal assessment, or £240 with LANTRA assessment and certification.

Find out more here
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