The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Kimkimmy on September 02, 2016, 06:41:59 pm

Title: Male lamb concerns
Post by: Kimkimmy on September 02, 2016, 06:41:59 pm
We successfully lambed for the first time in March with 16 healthy lambs. All was well until about a month ago. We noticed that three of the male lambs were much smaller and not thriving. Their horns were not as developed and brittle and they were scouring. They have been heptavac'd and wormed and trearted against fly strike. One died at the weekend and I'm concerned about the other two. All the girls and the rest of the boys are very healthy. Any thoughts or advice much appreciated .
Title: Re: Male lamb concerns
Post by: shep53 on September 02, 2016, 06:44:34 pm
Take to VET  QUICKLY
Title: Re: Male lamb concerns
Post by: Kimkimmy on September 02, 2016, 06:55:39 pm
Yes  - had hoped they were perking up this morning but trailers attached.
Title: Re: Male lamb concerns
Post by: Anke on September 02, 2016, 08:37:55 pm
Fluke?
Title: Re: Male lamb concerns
Post by: Melmarsh on September 02, 2016, 10:55:28 pm
Vet...FEC.. vitamin or mineral deficiency, as in pine ??? Nematodiarus?? Let us know how you get on
Title: Re: Male lamb concerns
Post by: TheSmilingSheep on September 04, 2016, 09:18:53 am
 :bouquet:
What a rubbish thing to have to happen to you (and the lambs) - so sorry.
Do let us know if you find out what the problem may have been....
Title: Re: Male lamb concerns
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on September 04, 2016, 12:14:19 pm
I am very sorry to hear about this :hug: Do let us know how you get on at the vets?
All the best
WBF
Title: Re: Male lamb concerns
Post by: Marches Farmer on September 04, 2016, 04:26:45 pm
Take to VET  QUICKLY

I agree. You need to get to the bottom of this before you lose any more lambs and certainly before you put the ewes to the tup again.  It is, after all, just under 19% of your lambs affected, with a mortality rate of 6%.
Title: Re: Male lamb concerns
Post by: Kimkimmy on September 04, 2016, 09:10:52 pm
It was blow fly strike. Just goes to show you can't let your guard down. We had crovact the flock in July and dagged 2 weeks ago - no problem then.   The one we took to the vet had no maggots but vet pretty convinced by the anorexia and listlessness. We checked them all again immediately we realised and 4 out of the 8 male lambs had maggots. Strangely the ewe lambs were fine  but they were on an adjoining field. All affected lambs treated with spot on and we've put in a mineral lick. All much cherpier and eating well. I've since done a lot of reading on this and the most effective treatment seems to be to spray end of May and then August.  Lesson learned the hard way. Thanks for all your support. 
Title: Re: Male lamb concerns
Post by: twizzel on September 04, 2016, 10:06:31 pm
We crovect every 6 weeks to cover from May through to October. There has been a lot of strike around this year, especially if you haven't kept up to date with clik or crovect  :bouquet: