The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: ZaktheLad on May 27, 2014, 12:32:09 pm

Title: Random selection from Animal Health
Post by: ZaktheLad on May 27, 2014, 12:32:09 pm

I have just received a call from Animal Health about some random blood testing of breeding sheep.  Unfortunately the call came through on my mobile whilst at work and the reception was so poor that I could only catch part of what she was saying, despite asking her to repeat herself several times  :-[  However, I am still non the wiser as to what this test is for and wondered if anyone else has been approached?  I have had a good trawl of the DEFRA and Animal Health websites and can't find anything relating to random blood testing being done.  I also didn't think to ask if there was a cost involved to me either!   ???

Title: Re: Random selection from Animal Health
Post by: Rosemary on May 27, 2014, 05:17:06 pm

We were selected for random blood testing for Brucellosis a few years ago - at least I think it was Brucellosis (I might be able to find the test results in a file). It's to prove to the EU that Britain is Brucellosis free.

They wanted to test 10% of the flock. We had three ewes so they did them all.

Title: Re: Random selection from Animal Health
Post by: Sbom on May 27, 2014, 05:25:04 pm

We had ours done last year, it was free of charge

Title: Re: Random selection from Animal Health
Post by: cans on May 27, 2014, 05:25:20 pm

hi Zakthelad,
We had a call a few years ago to test out goats.  Cant remember what is was for - the paperwork went with the girls when we had to rehome them.  We had three girls, all were tested and no cost.  A letter a few weeks later to say all clear.

Title: Re: Random selection from Animal Health
Post by: ZaktheLad on May 27, 2014, 06:56:28 pm

Thanks for the responses - will let you know how it goes.  Hope my girls behave - they seem to have 40 fits at anyone they don't know getting in close proximity to them  ::)

Title: Re: Random selection from Animal Health
Post by: MarvinH on May 27, 2014, 08:25:23 pm

Well if it was me I'd phone up Animal Health and speak to them. Its just that it could have been anyone.

Title: Re: Random selection from Animal Health
Post by: Bramblecot on May 28, 2014, 10:43:46 am

We had the same call a couple of years ago.  The woman who came was very helpful but it was a pain getting them all in for blood tests.  It was to prove GB is free from Brucellosis.  She said it really was random ::) and they did a few in the area each year.