The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Old Shep on March 25, 2011, 11:55:18 am

Title: Sheep's wool dropping out
Post by: Old Shep on March 25, 2011, 11:55:18 am

Hi.  I introduced myself a week or so ago - we have suddenly got the job of lambing 18 sheep because of my mother's illness, although I grew up on a sheep farm I don't seem to remember much! So far 3 have lambed and we have 5 lambs  ;D

Can anyone tell me why a ewe's wool has started dropping out?  When she gets up from where she has been lying down she leaves a pile of wool!  She doesn't seem to be chewing herself - so it doesnt seem itchy.  She will be due to lamb within 2 weeks.  The only treatment she has had was heptavac P a couple of weeks ago. Do I need to worry or just let her get on with it?  She's a texel crossed with something else - mule perhaps?

Title: Re: Sheep's wool dropping out
Post by: darkbrowneggs on March 25, 2011, 01:41:30 pm

I might be wrong (correct me anyone?) but I think it is when a sheep gets a fever or high temperature, it causes the wool to fall out.

All the best
Sue

Title: Re: Sheep's wool dropping out
Post by: Freddiesfarm on March 25, 2011, 03:19:22 pm

Has she lambed or is she just about to?  For some ewes just the strain of pregnancy can cause wool slip - I have a couple that look dreadful at the mo but it happens.  As said above could also be she feels a bit off colour.

Title: Re: Sheep's wool dropping out
Post by: Cinderhills on March 25, 2011, 05:24:30 pm

One of my ewes gets wool break during lambing time.  I just don't think she loves giving birth.  If that's what it is then nothing to worry about.  This year is not too bad but last year she had a pink rear end.  It grew back soon enough but was in a way quite good as we didn't have to worry about fly strike!

Title: Re: Sheep's wool dropping out
Post by: Big Benny Shep on March 25, 2011, 07:10:55 pm

She is a BLue faced Leicester(sp) Swaledale mule and seems happy enough, we'll just have to keep an eye on her.

Thanks for all the replies  :sheep:

Title: Re: Sheep's wool dropping out
Post by: Rosey on March 25, 2011, 09:52:59 pm

just check it is not twin lamb disease. keep and eye on her to make sure she is eating, give her free access to a high energy lick.

Title: Re: Sheep's wool dropping out
Post by: nails on March 26, 2011, 09:12:37 am

I have had a ewe whose fleece was falling out, she looked like she had been half sheared, she had lice, treated her and she is fine now and the fleece is growing back. She was also in lamb when this happened.