The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Mallows Flock on June 14, 2012, 06:31:01 pm

Title: Any tips for removing marker spray from lambs fleeces!
Post by: Mallows Flock on June 14, 2012, 06:31:01 pm
Hi Guys
I would like to enter some of my ewe and butchers lambs into our local show in August. However, the farmer who sold them to me as cades, in his infinite wisdom, decided to spray them a multitude of colours; red, green and orange, as well as using copious amounts of purple spray when he rung them which has gotten not only their nuts and tails but their bellies, sides, legs.
Is there ANY tried and tested preparation which can remove this.... they look like Joseph in his very uneven technicoloured dreamcoat ;o(
Once again, thank you muchly for your pearls of wisdom.
Lisa x
Title: Re: Any tips for removing marker spray from lambs fleeces!
Post by: kaz on June 14, 2012, 07:17:25 pm
Swarfega normally does the job. :fc:
Title: Re: Any tips for removing marker spray from lambs fleeces!
Post by: Mallows Flock on June 14, 2012, 08:22:03 pm
Oooh...now I didn't know that! Brilliant! Everything I read online says its impossible to get rid of. I take it that will be ok for purple spray too??!!?????
Title: Re: Any tips for removing marker spray from lambs fleeces!
Post by: kaz on June 14, 2012, 10:17:51 pm
An awful lot of the spray will come out when you wash them, if it doesn't try another rub in of swarfega.
Title: Re: Any tips for removing marker spray from lambs fleeces!
Post by: Small Farmer on June 14, 2012, 11:02:17 pm
We tagged our lambs about a month ago because the rain was washing out the clear coloured markings we thought we'd made!
Title: Re: Any tips for removing marker spray from lambs fleeces!
Post by: omnipeasant on June 15, 2012, 01:50:05 pm
These sprays are meant to wash out. otherwise the wool board couldn't accept it. Ordinary soapy water works for me
Title: Re: Any tips for removing marker spray from lambs fleeces!
Post by: Bramblecot on June 15, 2012, 06:27:24 pm
I had a white sheepskin back from the tannery recently and it still had pink marker on it (not put on by me!), it was a bought-in wether.
Title: Re: Any tips for removing marker spray from lambs fleeces!
Post by: Mallows Flock on June 15, 2012, 07:19:37 pm
I am going to goven them a few washes with Purl Dip before the shows anyway and will have soap & swarfewga to hand now after all these handy hints. Thank you very much! Now just need to find advice on carding, preening and primping LOL