The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Dans on April 09, 2017, 11:19:59 pm

Title: Shelly hoof
Post by: Dans on April 09, 2017, 11:19:59 pm
We've had quite a few instances of shelly hoof in our sheep. Is there something we can give to the sheep (like a special mineral lick) to help them with this? We have a Mg high lick in there at the moment. Or anything else we can do? The ground is clay with very little top soil and can get quite damp in the winter.

Dans
Title: Re: Shelly hoof
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 10, 2017, 12:00:20 am
Ours have Himalayan rock salt now.  We're keeping our fingers crossed... :fc:
Title: Re: Shelly hoof
Post by: twizzel on April 10, 2017, 09:36:27 am
Mole Valley do a foot and fertility lick, although my ewes didn't have shelley hoof they didn't have the best feet when they came but looking much better now- they had the F&F buckets late summer to December ish. Have seen good results with hoof putty too...
Title: Re: Shelly hoof
Post by: Marches Farmer on April 10, 2017, 11:35:29 am
Don't trim the hoof wall too low and don't trim the "bulb" at the back of the foot unless it's snagged and you don't want the tear to go any further.  This holds the hoof wall under tension and helps prevent the pocket on the outside forming and permitting soil to start getting pushed in the gap.