The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: baffledog1 on May 29, 2015, 03:09:21 pm
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4 of my ewe hoggs lambed this March. Not planned but a neighbour's tup escaped and a well meaning motorist opened my field gate and he tupped 4 of them(the tup not the motorist). Gave them extra rations and they all lambed really easily, 2 sets of twins and 2 singles. I gave support with extra bottles to the two with twins. Have had them sheared and all looking really well on good grass, too much grass to be honest.
Question is that I have been told it is better for the ewes to wean at between 12-14 weeks to allow the ewes to recover and continue growing. Will be doing this towards end of June.
On weaning due to the excess grass should I put the ewes into a shed/yard with limited food to dry them off and help prevent mastitis. I realise its a month away but at the moment they have a lot of milk. Any thoughts welcomed.
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a neighbour's tup escaped and a well meaning motorist opened my field gate and he tupped 4 of them(the tup not the motorist).
:roflanim: :roflanim:
I really needed that chuckle! So thanks :thumbsup:
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If you want to put your hoggs back to the tup in the autumn, yes I would put them into a yard with only some hay, or maybe even straw (and water of course), until the udders are soft and shrinking, and afterwards onto not so good grass (to prevent CCN).
Depending on how they look at the end of summer you may want to flush on good grass for a few weeks before tupping. I have found that with the Shetlands that is not necessary, but they are not lambed as hoggs.
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What's CCN? The closest Google got me was the Council for Churches in Namibia ???
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What's CCN? The closest Google got me was the Council for Churches in Namibia ???
Yes thats it. And you don't want that in your sheep now do you?
TBH I think 12-14 weeks is too late and could likely reduce mature ewe size. 10-12 max would be my preference and then onto straw and water
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What's CCN? The closest Google got me was the Council for Churches in Namibia ???
Loving this thread! :-)
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CCN (in sheep country) - Cerebro Cortical Necrosis (the Americans call is Polioencephalitis or something like that). It is a thiamine(vit B) deficiency often brought on by a sudden change to (usually better) pasture/feed. I have had it in ewes just after weaning when I put them on good pasture for flushing... and it is usually fatal. I think growing lambs can get it too, but never seen it in lambs.
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CCN (in sheep country) - Cerebro Cortical Necrosis (the Americans call is Polioencephalitis or something like that). It is a thiamine(vit B) deficiency often brought on by a sudden change to (usually better) pasture/feed. I have had it in ewes just after weaning when I put them on good pasture for flushing... and it is usually fatal. I think growing lambs can get it too, but never seen it in lambs.
Well that's a new one on me!
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Reading the NADIS information on CCN (http://www.nadis.org.uk/bulletins/nervous-disease-in-sheep.aspx) (scroll down the page to find it, the first bit is all about listeriosis), it is predominantly a disease of weaned lambs, 4-8 months old, and responds well to prompt treatment.
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OMG! Not another thing sheep will die of :raining:
I can see this 1st year in sheep being VERY stressful ::)
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how long do people leave ewes in the 'drying off pen' for usually? Mine have been in for three nights so far and I'm feeling sorry for them lol !