The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Paulie on May 09, 2015, 10:46:40 am
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Just a quick one guys, 6 Wiltshire tegs never had a foot trim, feet look like they need it but they've never been lame. I've had a look at eblex and seems to say leave them alone. What's your advice please?
Paul
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I'm no expert but the latest thinking is to leave them alone. Having said that I do give mine a trim. They have never had foot problems but I just trim a little bit off when they get long. I am always careful not to go to short though so err on the side of caution.
Spoke to my local farmer though and he always trims.
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I check regularly but trim rarely. Some sheep, even within a breed, need doing quite often and some never do. I trim the front of the foot - just the flap or point if they're too long - more to remove the pocket that can collect soil and lead to shelly hoof than anything else. I lay the foot shears flat against the sole so the horn is always a blade's-worth proud of the sole, that way I don't trim too hard. It helps that I vaccinated the flock with Footvax, once, in 2007 and haven't seen footrot or scald since
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Got 1000 ewes (including wiltshires) ---not a single one has ever been foot trimmed
(if they need trimming they get culled)
Routine foot trimming is a waste of time and usually done for vanity
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Thanks guys