The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: m3joeEm on July 16, 2015, 01:17:44 pm

Title: Tailing a 5 month old lamb, how can it be done?
Post by: m3joeEm on July 16, 2015, 01:17:44 pm

Lamb missed the rubber ring and it's being kept for breeding. How can I remove the tail at this age,?

Title: Re: Tailing a 5 month old lamb, how can it be done?
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on July 16, 2015, 01:23:03 pm

I would consult my vet if I were you.

Title: Re: Tailing a 5 month old lamb, how can it be done?
Post by: SallyintNorth on July 16, 2015, 01:53:28 pm

Don't bother, just make sure you keep it crutched.

Swaledale ewes aren't tailed as they need the woolly protection for their growing udders over winter.  Some farms clip the appropriate region a week or so before tupping, to be sure the tup doesn't stub himself  :o or miss.

As lambs, they mostly do just fine, but you have to be vigilant about mucky bottoms and get at them with the clippers straight away.

Title: Re: Tailing a 5 month old lamb, how can it be done?
Post by: Keepers on July 16, 2015, 02:10:49 pm

Probly easier to leave it be now, unless its a breed prone to dagginess/mucky bums

Just dag it off when you crutch them before breeding

If you really really want it docked probly best to ask the vet

Title: Re: Tailing a 5 month old lamb, how can it be done?
Post by: Marches Farmer on July 16, 2015, 08:15:29 pm

Keep the underside of the tail shorn, and the inside of the legs if it's a Down breed.   I tail mine at the same time as spray marking them before they leave the mothering up pen for the nursery shed and then turnout. 

Title: Re: Tailing a 5 month old lamb, how can it be done?
Post by: m3joeEm on July 16, 2015, 10:12:04 pm

Thanks for the replies, it's a texel x Suffolk it has long wool and would be prone to dags as its mothers the same. I think we had them burned off years ago with some sort of device but can't remember what age at , it's just a pet lamb that was in the house for two weeks at birth as it was very sick for weeks and miraculously survived so everyone wants to keep it :) she even has a name haha

Title: Re: Tailing a 5 month old lamb, how can it be done?
Post by: Me on July 16, 2015, 10:14:29 pm

It is a Vet job now

Title: Re: Tailing a 5 month old lamb, how can it be done?
Post by: m3joeEm on July 19, 2015, 07:41:28 pm

Had the lamb in today , trimmed the longest wool on its tail and dagged it. Sprayed with ectofly so hopefully it will be grand with tail on :)

Title: Re: Tailing a 5 month old lamb, how can it be done?
Post by: Remy on July 24, 2015, 07:55:16 pm

I have several breeding ewes that came to me as orphans with long tails - I do have to watch them more closely during the fly season but so long as you are vigilant it should be fine.  The worst one is a Suffolk x!  I've also got a lamb from this year who was tailed but think the ring must have broken, as her tail is long and bushy now  ::) . Trouble with long tails and thick fleeces they are very prone to catching all the droppings if the sheep scours, which can be difficult to remove if it's left!  But not too much of a problem if they are dagged in good time  :)

Title: Re: Tailing a 5 month old lamb, how can it be done?
Post by: roddycm on July 25, 2015, 02:02:39 am

I wouldn't bother. I had bwm and they all had long tails,  never had an issue :) it will be just fine I am sure