The Poultry Keeper

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Hi all, We are new to keeping sheep . 2 sheep and their 4 lambs arrived 2 weeks ago. All has been well and they have settled in fine. my problem is that this morning one of the sheep is lame. the farmer I bought her from did her feet for me before she came and I can see no sore patch or inflammation, there is no wound and no heat in the hock. Any one got any ideas? It isn't bad enough to call the vet yet but if i can stop a problem before it escalates it would be good!!

debcat · Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:47 pm Post subject:

have you checked right up in the cleft?
other than that she might have pulled something
can't think of anything else

Zooey · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 82 Location: East Sussex

I know nothing about sheep, but it sounds like foot rot to me. We see it in our neighbour's sheep and our three goats come down with it throughout the winter months. There's not a lot you can do to stop it - I've read loads on the internet. Get some Alamycin from your vet and use it between the digits as soon as you detect any unsoundness. We find our goats go sound within a few hours if done quickly. If left, it can cause more serious problems

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Hi Debcat,

I will have another look tonite and will clean and spray with foot purple spray just in case. She may have pulled something as the sheep were battling over food yesterday but she is kneeling ok so the problem looks to be hoof or hock based. If it is no better in a day or so or gets worse I will get a local shepherd to have a look or failing that the vet. Thanks for the reply.
There is always something with animals isn't there Rolling Eyes

Issy

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Thanks for the reply Zooey I will check later.

debcat · Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:03 pm Post subject:

you have to look right up the gap to check
the blue spray that zooey mentioned is the best one for footrot, but purple will do till you can get some
most livestock vets will sell footrot spray without coming out

Are you enjoying your new additions?

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

They are lovely - I was really reticent about getting them but my Oh loves lamb and I have my dexters and chickens (well I have some left) so we have sheep!! I do have to say they have fantastic characters and the lambs are lovely to watch - so i could become hooked.

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7367 Location: isle of lewis

oh slippery slope again ,the only course i didn't do was the sheep course ,i wasn't going to keep sheep ,5 now Rolling Eyes

suz

debcat · Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:18 pm Post subject:

I started off with one bottlefed lamb 3 years ago,
got 7 ewes, 11 lambs and 1 pet wedder now Embarassed

wait till they are eating out of your hand Laughing

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Thanks - all I need Very Happy

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7367 Location: isle of lewis

they are lovely Very Happy

suz

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Thanks for the advice. I cleaned her foot last night - still couldn't see anything but poured on some foot dip just in case ( the chap we got them from gave me a small container of it to dip their feet in after trimming and I thought that that would be stronger than the spray) and this morning she is fine. what it was i don't know but she is OK again which is the main thing. Any way I thought I would post a pic of - Elsie, Flossie and their lambs (one of Elsies is hiding!) The lambs provide endless hours of amusement Rolling Eyes

Flossies lambs look grey as they got in the farmers shed and played in a pile of soot!! They are gradually whitening up!