The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: mebnandtrn on October 10, 2015, 12:04:32 pm

Title: strange bit under sheep
Post by: mebnandtrn on October 10, 2015, 12:04:32 pm

Today we rolled our shearling and noticed that she had a strange pocket thing and brown gunk under her. She has one teat either side, they look fine and normal. In the area of hair (no wool area) near the teat and further round towards her back appears to be a sort of hole / pocket of skin. around and in it is orangey brown gink crusted. Its our only shearling and so we cannot compare it to another one! It didn't smell, didn't seem to cause pain, didn't look infected etc, but it also didn't look the same as the ewes. It was the same on both sides of her. Any ideas please? Thanks

Title: Re: strange bit under sheep
Post by: Scotsdumpy on October 10, 2015, 01:07:55 pm

Hi, I'm no expert but I've seen the same on my shetlands. I think it is an accumulation of lanolin and/or grease. Its never causeda problem on my sheep - hopefully someone can confirm!

Title: Re: strange bit under sheep
Post by: Melmarsh on October 10, 2015, 01:52:51 pm

It's normal ????

Title: Re: strange bit under sheep
Post by: Fleecewife on October 10, 2015, 02:28:59 pm

Yep, that's normal  :sheep:

Title: Re: strange bit under sheep
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 10, 2015, 03:47:47 pm

Normal - lanolin's protecting her the skin of her udder from becoming saturated when lying on wet fgrass.

Title: Re: strange bit under sheep
Post by: Red on October 10, 2015, 08:37:25 pm

It's normal we have it on our hebs, when there on their bums I give them a quick wash which cleans it up nicely

Title: Re: strange bit under sheep
Post by: m3joeEm on October 11, 2015, 05:53:06 pm

All my sheep that i've turned over have the same thing, completely normal

Title: Re: strange bit under sheep
Post by: Me on October 11, 2015, 07:24:37 pm

Its the first sign of "Sheep Plague". If you are lucky you will have caught it early and the others wont have it yet

Title: Re: strange bit under sheep
Post by: Buffy the eggs layer on October 11, 2015, 07:48:35 pm

Ha ha!


   its a scent gland  ;D  When her lamb searches for her teat its head will be anointed with her scent. The lamb will learn to recognise her smell and she will recognise the smell of her anointed lamb as familiar and her own.


Isn't nature brilliant!  :excited:


......full of gunk...huh!  :huff: