The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: IanStevens on September 16, 2016, 04:18:50 pm

Title: Cull Ewe with foot root.
Post by: IanStevens on September 16, 2016, 04:18:50 pm

Hi everyone, this is my first post but I'm sure it won't be my last.
This is our first year having sheep and has been a very steep and quick learning curve, I'm hoping someone with experience will have the answer to my question.

We have a ewe that we plan to cull that has a persistent problem with foot rot.  Does anyone know whether this is likely to cause any kind of taint to the mutton?

Title: Re: Cull Ewe with foot root.
Post by: shep53 on September 17, 2016, 12:28:01 pm

Really don't know , but I wouldn't think so .  The sheep has to be putting weight on the bad foot or the abattoir  may turn it away  and no smell

Title: Re: Cull Ewe with foot root.
Post by: IanStevens on September 18, 2016, 01:08:42 pm

Thanks Shep53.  We received these sheep in pretty poor condition.  Six were lame, this one was the worst with what I think is referred to as "strawberry foot" which basically meant that one nail was completely de-laminated from the pad all the way round.  s it got warmer we ended up with maggots which we cleaned out twice and kept spaying with foot rot spray.  She's back out with the others and now walking with only a slight limp, so there's a major improvement. 

Title: Re: Cull Ewe with foot root.
Post by: shep53 on September 18, 2016, 01:20:44 pm

Sounds more like CODD  . WELL DONE  on getting them all fairly sound

Title: Re: Cull Ewe with foot root.
Post by: Hevxxx99 on September 18, 2016, 04:57:08 pm

I took a 4 year old wether to slaughter earlier in the year who had recurrent foot problems and the mutton is delicious. No taint. The slaughters were concerned about the lameness over the phone but he was just nodding when he went so no problem.

Title: Re: Cull Ewe with foot root.
Post by: Marches Farmer on September 19, 2016, 02:44:35 pm

If it's CODD the C stands for Contagious, so watch out for the others getting the same problem.  If you keep a sheep with a dodgy foot in the shed for a few days before market/slaughter the hoof wall will generally dry out and toughen up enough for it to put weight on it without a problem.

Title: Re: Cull Ewe with foot root.
Post by: Foobar on September 19, 2016, 03:30:31 pm

If it is CODD they probably wouldn't be getting any better with the usual footrot treatment.  CODD starts from the top (the band where the hoof joins the leg) and works down.  If yours are improving then you probably don't have CODD! :)


I wouldn't eat anything with an active infection.  Also, be aware of the withdrawal period of any drugs that you have been treating them with.

Title: Re: Cull Ewe with foot root.
Post by: landroverroy on September 20, 2016, 10:53:47 am

It doesn't cause any taint. It's a localised problem and I'm presuming you're not planning on eating the feet anyway. :innocent:
If it were a problem there would be an awful lot of sheep rejected from abattoirs.

Title: Re: Cull Ewe with foot root.
Post by: IanStevens on September 22, 2016, 11:03:28 am

Thanks everyone.  I feel more confident about sending her now.