The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Beeducked on April 27, 2014, 08:06:48 pm

Title: Culling previously prolapsed ewe?
Post by: Beeducked on April 27, 2014, 08:06:48 pm

Some of you might remember that earlier this lambing I had a prolapsed Castlemilk Moorit ewe. She prolapsed 4-5 days before she lambed. I had to replace it twice but generally it spontaneously reduced when she stood up. She delivered 2 very large ewe lambs, the first was a posterior presentation, Very large and stillborn. The second was pretty big too.


Since then she has had no problems and been a great mum.


All the books / info I can find say I should cull / never breed from her again but as you might guess I am wondering if I can get away with keeping her (and potentially breeding from her again). Is this complete foolishness and more importantly unfair to her? If culling her would be kinder then we will be having mutton I guess!

Title: Re: Culling previously prolapsed ewe?
Post by: Me on April 27, 2014, 08:13:00 pm

Though if she only had a single you might get away with it... maybe yes its a welfare issue, stitching, pain, potential dead lambs - cull her. Enjoy your mutton and keep one which hasn't prolapsed instead

Title: Re: Culling previously prolapsed ewe?
Post by: mowhaugh on April 27, 2014, 08:18:10 pm

I personally would cull, but it depends on your situation.  My advice would be not to breed from her again, I do feel that is the right thing to do by the sheep, but if you are attached to her and have room/can afford to carry a 'passenger', then there isn't really a need to cull if you don't want to.

Title: Re: Culling previously prolapsed ewe?
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 27, 2014, 10:19:36 pm

If she had a dead lamb she has some excuse for prolapsing, especially as she didn't go on and have a full-blown prolapse, just a 'winker' ;)

What breed was the tup?

Title: Re: Culling previously prolapsed ewe?
Post by: Beeducked on April 27, 2014, 11:12:47 pm

He is a Castlemilk too.

Title: Re: Culling previously prolapsed ewe?
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 27, 2014, 11:16:31 pm

I'm exploring any reasons for why she may have prolapsed, besides there being a dead lamb...

How have you fed her through her pregnancy?

Title: Re: Culling previously prolapsed ewe?
Post by: Brucklay on April 29, 2014, 03:53:56 pm

That was what I was thinking Sally - My Castlemilks sometime have a large single but not very, very large twins - the twins are petite but run like the wind I may add and strong for their size. I give add-lib hay and a little feed as we has very little grazing through the winter.


Anyway off subject - I may risk it again as she had a dead lamb inside - I think that counts for something.