Messages

31

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Swollen Knees

« on: June 01, 2017, 11:42:19 am »

I suppose if he isn't structurally right in his knee or lower leg structure that could put extra strain on them and cause inflammation. Happens in horses, though I have never seen it in sheep.

32

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Swollen Knees

« on: May 31, 2017, 10:24:06 pm »

Perhaps poliarthritis? This will usually cause lameness though. I would try treating with a dose of LA200 just in case.

33

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Flerds-herd/flock

« on: May 12, 2017, 06:13:07 am »

Consider Dorpers. They perform well on grass, have good carcass traits and are pretty docile. They are a hair sheep but are not your typical scrawny hair sheep. They come in solid white or white with a black head, which is rather striking. They certainly aren't ugly.

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Flerds-herd/flock

« on: May 10, 2017, 07:58:36 pm »

And fewer parasites. Since worms are species specific, cow worms don't infect sheep and vice versa. So the cows will end up eating some of the sheep worm eggs and sheep will eat the cow worm eggs and it stops their cycle. Of course doesn't eliminate the parasites but helps to reduce problems versus raising just one species.

35

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Leg wool

« on: May 08, 2017, 08:44:21 am »

I really have never noticed what you are describing. An oily substance sounds rather like lanolin but leg wool is usually pretty dry. Does the skin itself look healthy and is the wool staying good, not falling out? All I could suggest is to wash and condition well before you comb it out. The only spray we ever use in the leg wool is Pink Oil on show day.

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Flerds-herd/flock

« on: May 05, 2017, 02:22:47 pm »

We have. Field fence with a couple strands of barbed wire on top works well for both. We have actually been running both with just five wire barbed wire for the past ten years or so and never had a sheep get through. But just ewes and rams. We raise the lambs in the barn. We ran four wires on an interior fence and it has been holding all but one small Dorper ewe that crawls under. The barbed wire also doesn't keep in our guardian dogs, which isn't an issue where we live, but would be if we lived on a paved road or had closer neighbors.

One tip, cattle need more copper than sheep can tolerate. We deal with this by keeping the cattle's salt block at the bottom of a 3 foot deeo trough so the sheep cannot reach it. Also, rams will sometimes fight with bulls so safest not to run them together.

37

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Dorper Ram Lamb

« on: May 02, 2017, 09:13:53 am »

Introducing "Titanium." At just six weeks old, this guy is already an impressive specimen. We have yet to see a fullblood Dorper this smooth, this straight, or this extended. Yet he still manages to pack an ever increasing amount of muscled into his rack, loin and hip. We have high hopes for this sheep as we continue to build out Dorper program.

38

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Rough Patch of Skin on Lambs Back/Tail Area

« on: May 02, 2017, 09:02:51 am »

I really don't know??? Doesn't look like fungus. Maybe a staph infection? I would be inclined to worm with Ivomec, which will kill mites and treat with antibiotics in case it is a bacterial infection. Keep a loose blanket in him too to keep flies and sun off.

39

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Biobag: Premature Lamb Artificially Gestated

« on: May 01, 2017, 12:29:51 pm »

I saw that. Pretty amazing! I hope it's not used to artificially raise babies, but if the technology is used to help save premature babies, that is wonderful!

40

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Rough Patch of Skin on Lambs Back/Tail Area

« on: April 28, 2017, 11:56:09 am »

Is the lamb wearing a blanket? Has it ever been sheared before this? I would suspect either the blanket rubbing it or fungus.

41

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Weak yearling ewe

« on: April 24, 2017, 04:57:38 pm »

Good news!

42

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: B12

« on: April 11, 2017, 09:39:04 pm »

While it may seem counterintuitive, we personally feed MORE hay, not less, to these slower eaters. I am of the opinion that very often the problem is chronic acidosis. Feeding additional hay helps to balance the rumen and will usually lead to an increased appetite within a few days to a couple weeks. Even alfalfa may be too rich. Grass hay may be more effective. B12 crumbles certainly won't hurt, but a healthy rumen is still essential.

43

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: B12

« on: April 10, 2017, 06:05:38 pm »

Are they feeding much hay?

44

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Nasco in Modesto is Closing

« on: April 10, 2017, 06:04:40 pm »

We loved stopping in there any time we were going through Modesto. Too bad.

45

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Tiny Lamb with Cough and Bloat

« on: April 04, 2017, 11:25:31 am »

Too bad. You certainly did all you could. It's unfortunate that we can't save them all.