The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: OhLaLa on May 09, 2013, 09:23:26 pm
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2011 was the first year for tupping for one of our ewes. Due in 2012, but aborted, reason unknown but possibly due to toxoplasmosis. This year she was tupped (different ram), but did not concieve. All of the others did.
Two questions:
1) Would you give her a third try with the tup this year or declare her barren?
2) If it was toxoplasmosis is she ok to go into the freezer?
I've read up but not much info to be found re entering the food chain, although I have read that sheep can carry the organism without the stock owner even being aware of it. I know a ewe could carry lambs sucessfully in subsequent years. This one unfortunately hasn't.
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The toxo bacteria is killed by cooking so there is no problem there. I would cull. She will be worth as much fat as a replacemnt and she is eating grass that a milking ewe could eat. Put simply you have given her a chance, she has not taken that chance!