The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Kitchen Cottage on October 08, 2012, 08:48:28 am
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I have seven of this years rams almost ready for their final journey. :innocent: They are on 2 acres with ewe nuts. About 2 weeks ago 4 got scour and I bought them into my foaling stable. They seemed to clear up, but not 3 have got scour again. I've dagged them and bought them back in and am feeding hay and nuts.
I buy in from my city farm and phoned them (I volunteer there) They have had a few with scour which they put down to change in weather and getting a chill. They don't call the vet they merely put inside
I admit it, I'm trying to avoid calling the vet. They are eating fine and hopefully they will dry up again inside..... One of them has very liquid movements..
Has anyone any thoughts (including call the vet if its necessary)
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You don't say that you have wormed them - this is the most likely cause, especially as they haven't responded to coming in onto dry feed. There will be a withdrawal period after worming before you can send them for slaughter, which varies according to the wormer you use.
Also, male sheep shouldn't be fed on ewe feed as it can cause bladder stones. A universal coarse mix is best. :sheep:
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It could be fluke, in which case if you don't treat they'll deteriorate and die.
If they're fit enough to go as they are, get them away asap, like this week.
Otherwise, if they've been wormed and it hasn't cleared up I would definitely be looking to fluke them. Most fluke meds are long withdrawal - up to 56 days - but some are less long than others, so check withdrawal periods before dosing.
You could try a faecal egg count before fluking, just in case it's a resistant worm or a worm your wormer didn't cover.
And as FW says, male sheep can get urinary calculi if fed ewe feed that doesn't have the additive. Always check with the supplier if the feed doesn't have 'Ram' or 'Tup' in the name, or carry a label stating that it's safe for wethers and rams.
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They dried up when I bought them in, they scoured again when I put them out. They seem to be drier this morning, so I am keeping them in until they can go to slaughter.
They have been wormed, sorry I should have said that!
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If you need them out try putting out with hay as well as the grass.