The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Jamie12 on November 25, 2014, 06:36:15 pm
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A few of my ewes appear to be rubbing on hurdles etc. Is this likely to be lice? The haven't had any contact with other sheep since the arrival of my tup, cannot touch any other sheep at present and ground has been free of sheep for several years.
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If it's more than one or two, then it's not likely to be nothing.
Can you have a good look at the base of the wool fibres? On the moorland farm we had problems with keds one year in one batch, and sucking lice another. You have to identify the beastie so you get the treatment right - or you can treat with Crovect if you have it on hand, and if that doesn't clear it up, use Dectomax.
I expect the S word has gone through your mind... fresh skin scrape to the vet (or they may ask you to take it straight to the vet labs) to eliminate that possibility.
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I am bringing them in on Thursday so will have a good look then. The dreaded s word has gone my mind. No crovect on hand but I may get myself some. Neighboring farmers think I'm paranoid and pay too much attention!
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Just to maybe rest your mind a little,
when my sheep have been a long time in an electric fence field with no solid anything in, when I put hurdles in to gather them up I always have one or two come over for a good bum rub on the pen
I think ts just because they havnt had anything to touch for a while
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There are more thorny hedges in the big field now, I wonder if it is maybe that. Rather be safe than sorry
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What breed are they? Our GFD are always rubbing against posts, feeders, trees ::) - apparently they are just itchy sheep. Rarely see the Shetlands doing it and they are all together.
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Suffolk crosses