The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Slimjim on April 25, 2016, 08:33:03 am

Title: Loss of neck wool in a ewe
Post by: Slimjim on April 25, 2016, 08:33:03 am

One of my Badgerface ewes has suddenly lost a band of wool around her neck. Not down to the skin, but shortened to about 2cm long, in a complete band about 12cm wide. None of the other sheep or lambs affected, and it is restricted to just around the neck on her. She is nursing a single lamb. Any suggestions what this might be please? thanks

Title: Re: Loss of neck wool in a ewe
Post by: Keelan H on April 25, 2016, 09:40:27 am

Could she have maybe got her head caught in the fence? That might have rubbed a bit until she got it out?

Title: Re: Loss of neck wool in a ewe
Post by: BenBhoy on April 25, 2016, 11:24:52 am

Sounds like she grazing other side of fence, putting head through a square in stock netting. Does she have any straggly bits elsewhere? Seen her acting itchy?

Title: Re: Loss of neck wool in a ewe
Post by: bazzais on April 25, 2016, 04:40:47 pm

I've got one ewe who stands all day with her head through fences.

She is mad as a hatter, stands their and when you approach her she just walks off and sticks it through another fence.

Maybe resting her neck!?

Title: Re: Loss of neck wool in a ewe
Post by: Slimjim on April 25, 2016, 09:13:16 pm

Well there is hardly any grass and she appears each morning covered in brambles, so head through the fence is entirely possible.  Thank you.

Title: Re: Loss of neck wool in a ewe
Post by: regen on April 27, 2016, 06:02:05 am

We have about 20 badgers unto 4 years old and one or two loose wool from around neck about this time each year. does not seem to affect them in any way. May be putting head thro fence but more likely to be a hereditary problem.

regen

Title: Re: Loss of neck wool in a ewe
Post by: Slimjim on April 27, 2016, 07:13:07 am

Interesting Regen, thank you. This one is 5 years old and this is the first time it has happened. It is also the worst year for grass in her lifetime, so there may be a link.........I am feeding hay ad lib and cake once a day, but I guess there's nothing like the real thing, and in this case, the grass really is greener on the other side and a lot more of it!

Title: Re: Loss of neck wool in a ewe
Post by: Katrina on April 27, 2016, 01:58:11 pm

I have one ewe with a bald neck and her hair grows back to a certain length then disappears again - and it is all down to her being the 'grass is greener on the other side' sheep  :)  She could be in a field of the best grass, she will still put her head through the fence and eat everything on the other side and wear away the fleece doing it.  She is also super nosey, so spends most of time with her head in the fence.