Author Topic: puzzeled (Read 2363 times)

raygezer · « **on:** February 20, 2015, 06:53:09 pm »

Hi folks i have a question !tonight checking sheep before dark one of my girls were missing i found her in the end on her side looks like she could have been there for a while ;( i managed to get her on her feet couldnt stand at first after a while she ran off she is due to lamb end of march. help please

trish.farm · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2015, 07:58:43 pm »

She had got cast, because she is large, and possibly very wooly, and couldn't get her legs down to stand up! One of my Romneys does it a lot in the last month up to lambing. If they have been stuck on their sides for a few hours they do wobble about a bit when you stand them up.

raygezer · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2015, 08:20:51 pm »

Hi yes she is very wooly and very round thanks sounds about right.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2015, 11:48:40 am »

It can be dangerous as gasses build up and the animal can die if not rescued in time. As you know you have this problem, check them every few hours. When you stand the sheep, hold onto her until she has burped etc before you let her go. When she is delivering the same thing can happen so watch carefully as she lambs.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2015, 12:10:02 pm »

In the past we've occasionally had a ewe that keeps casting. We checked early morning (crows will peck out their eyes) and last thing in the evening and also at midday if we were around. We always culled them after weaning.

Foobar · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2015, 12:22:47 pm »

If the cast sheep is badly bloated when you find her, tip her upright end over end rather than over to her side. This will prevent any added pressure on her insides as you right her.

trish.farm · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2015, 08:32:21 pm »

Right on cue, checked ewes at 4.30pm when I popped inside for a cup of tea, again at 5pm on my way out to collect son from bus stop. Romney ewe was cast, wiggling around on her side, rushed over to tip her up and found she had lambed and was lying on her lamb!! Poor wee mite!! Tipped her up and let her mother and lick her rather confused lamb!! So lucky I went out when I did!! Cracking big ram lamb who is now tucked up in a pen with mummy and no worse for his squashing!! Picked my son up from college bus and he had a peek at the lamb. Wow, he said, that is going to make a beautiful sheepskin rug!! He is right! Hampshire on a Romney. Lamb is white with brown head and brown spots all over!! Moral of the story, either cull ewes that get cast a lot, or check them very regularly close to lambing!!