The Poultry Keeper

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1390 Location: Clawddnewydd

Yeah, I know that only too well. My top shearling ewe has been struck down with the same thing that affected 2 ewes earlier on this Autumn, a sort of listeriosis/meningitis/encephalitis type infection. I was moving them away from the fence to the bottom of the field as the rams were fighting each other through the fence when she suddenly keeled over. I couldnt believe it, just like the others, head and neck stuck round to the left side, plus the left side of body sort of paralysed as she was unable to co-ordinate it. She kept fighting to get up but couldnt and she rolled down the bank side. I got the landy and trailer and brought her in then rang vets for some stuff for her. She has not gone blind like the others did and I'm really hoping I've caught it soon enough so she gets better but she still has her head and neck clamped round to the left and cant stand. I've wedged her between some bales and the gates and hope she will improve. Weird thing is, this is the 4th ewe in the third field which surround a neighbours field. I'm beginning to think its not coincidence as the sale rams have been in this field for 4 months with no ill effects but these ewes have been in for a week and now the best one is ill Confused

Its all very odd. I do wonder if they are throwing something over the hedge.....
Like you say Jan, always the best ones......

debcat · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:09 pm Post subject:

bronskibeat, it's not ccn is it?
I'd never seen it till this year when Suz had one with it and then the OH had one

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1390 Location: Clawddnewydd

No I dont think so, we had that this year too for the first time in a couple of tup lambs, one died, one got better. Its blimmin strange though. Never had any problems like this in all time keeping sheep and suddenly this year, it all goes to pot. I have given my shearling a large dose of extruvite (B vits) anyway just in case but her head isnt tipped back, its her neck that is in spasm to the side, plus she isnt stiff in her legs like the lambs were. She has a tremor in her head too if put under stress like when I drench her with electrolytes or try to prop her up in a better position. Its very distressing as there is nothing more I can do except wait and see and just keep nursing her and hope.

CP · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:36 am Post subject:

Sounds nasty BB, especially as you suspect it may have been inflicted upon them by someone. Evil or Very Mad

I hope she recovers & you get no more instances of this mysterious disease. Wink

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1390 Location: Clawddnewydd

Problem is, if it has been done either accidently or on purpose, I cant work out how or what has been done in order for them to get it....
We have plenty of grass so its not soil consumption, ewes are rotated every 2 weeks to new grazing fields and it has affected all age groups so far, not just those cutting new teeth. No silage being fed either nor hard feed, havent seen any evidence of grass clippings or anything else chucked over the hedge in large quantities. A complete mystery Confused

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6741 Location: isle of lewis

nonies farm has just been tested Very Happy

came back negitive

CP · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:39 pm Post subject:

Phew! Big sigh of relief! Very Happy

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1390 Location: Clawddnewydd

excellent news!! I've just gone and bought 3 Ruby Red Devon heifers Shocked

As if I dont have enough on my plate!! Rolling Eyes

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6741 Location: isle of lewis

oh fantastic Cool

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2035 Location: North Cornwall

manic nonie · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:36 pm Post subject:

hi guys. Bradders our bull was bad at jumping fences normally into feld we really didn't want him in but I've not worked with the hiefers though because their just getting to the age where they jump but I'm away at agricultural college, but nothing can be as bad as aberdeen angus hiefers.

well done, on the ruby red devons lovely animals Laughing

.

I miss my cows but get to go back there in 2 weeks, no one told me about the TB test results.

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1390 Location: Clawddnewydd

nonie are you still after a source of Ag books? I have found a supplement from FG with quite a few in if you want it.

Thanks for the nice comments re my heifers guys Cool

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6741 Location: isle of lewis

tb was bad here in people years back ,crowded living conditions 6 children and mum and dad in a house ,washing done in a stream ,i think the one worry is a few people over winter their cows on the mainland then they come back for the summer or buying in cows ,

manic nonie · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 12:28 pm Post subject:

yep if you got some sources I'd love to know about them, where did you get your hiefers from? its just out of interest.

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1390 Location: Clawddnewydd

They came from a friend of mine down in Hereford. They were entered at the Society Sales in Taunton last week but due to Sue being in the BTV zone she couldnt take them. Quite pleased really as if they had gone to the sale we would have paid a lot more for them Cool

. Mum is feeling guilty about that Rolling Eyes

but as I said, Sue told us what she wanted last month so that was her choice........ They have a clear TB test and come from a BVD and IBR free herd and are naturally polled. If you want the Ag book list, let me know and I'll send it up to you Very Happy