The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: suziequeue on March 05, 2011, 03:53:52 pm

Title: Vaccinating sheep
Post by: suziequeue on March 05, 2011, 03:53:52 pm
We've just spent a happy half hour vaccinating our six ewes four weeks before they are due to lamb.

We got it done without too much trouble (sub cut in the side of the neck..... only one given "intrawool" and had to be repeated) but I think it was a bit of a carry-on.

Any top tips for next time?

(We used Heptavax)

Susanna
Title: Re: Vaccinating sheep
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 05, 2011, 04:15:24 pm
I know the pack says the side of the neck is preferable, but BH always does it above the ribs behind the shoulder - it's MUCH easier to do - in a race, anyways. 

And for anyone who hasn't selected their 'system' yet : Heptavac STINGS, Covexin doesn't.  (Which means the sheep may jump when you've done them with Heptavac and hardly seem to notice the Covexin.)
Title: Re: Vaccinating sheep
Post by: Freddiesfarm on March 05, 2011, 06:57:26 pm
Buy yourself an auto-injector.  You attach the bottle to the gun and it automatically draws up the right dose.  Heptavac or similar is well worth doing, the only year we didn't we had a few losses and then had to dose them all again at a later date!
Title: Re: Vaccinating sheep
Post by: ballingall on March 05, 2011, 10:12:03 pm
We always vaccinate in behind the elbow. Even in wooly sheep, this is usually a bit of skin without wool.


Beth
Title: Re: Vaccinating sheep
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on March 05, 2011, 10:32:39 pm
Buy yourself an auto-injector.  You attach the bottle to the gun and it automatically draws up the right dose.  Heptavac or similar is well worth doing, the only year we didn't we had a few losses and then had to dose them all again at a later date!

agree with this, it makes life a lot easier, and unlike (I hear) some of the multiple eartag applicators it works well. We used it for Heptavac P+ this year and last. No ouchy sheep either. We do it in the neck area but havent had any probs with that either.