The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: EmAbi-Sheep Newbies on October 18, 2015, 07:05:59 pm
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HI!!
We are new here and purchasing our first sheep on Saturday.
Where abouts do you all buy headcollars for your sheep? We have sourced halters but my friend would like a headcollar.
Also what are your views on using Coppers spot on over winter and clik after shearing?
We are struggling to find a agricultural shop near where we are so any recommendations of online ones would be much appreciated!
Thanks!!
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http://www.llugwy-farm.co.uk/ (http://www.llugwy-farm.co.uk/)
Very good service :)
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Hello, there's wynnstay stores in most areas now for all your sheepy needs. We use clickzen (clik s shorter acting sister product) on the all the ewes n lambs May onwards, spray the lambs again after 6 weeks, which seems to come into line with shearing time for us. The ewes don't get sprayed at shearing we leave they're fleece grow on a bit first, so the product s got fleece to bind too. Then everyone's get s clik for the rest of the season. A small bottle of crovect kept in the meds cupboard in case we get caught out at the beginning andbetween sprayings.
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For everyday headcollars use foal slips as I have only found sheep show headcollars with lead attached. Rope halters fold up and fit into pockets so are handy to carry around. I would never leave a headcollar on a sheep.
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Teeny tiny foal ones, obvs for handling only. I ve halter trained the goats, not tried a sheep yet, may try a dopey Molly lamb lol x
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Why do you want to use Spot On over Winter?
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Online shops:
Mole Valley Farmers
Fane Valley Stores
...and a few others depending on what you are after.
I just use these for most of my sheep: http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mvf/store/products/sheep-rope-halter (http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mvf/store/products/sheep-rope-halter)
And I have a Llugwy Farm headcollar for my horned rams only because they are easier to get on/off over the horns.
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I don't like the rope halters at all for my Primitive sheep. Maybe some of the larger breeds will fit them, but on smaller sheep they ride up into one eye and hurt the animal. I use Llugwy farm too - she does all sorts of sizes in flat woven polyester, various colours, and also posh showing leather ones. The leads are removable and the service is efficient.
I echo not to leave these things on your sheep for longer than you need to lead them, and never when you're not there.
You don't say whereabouts you are, or the breeds you are buying - it would help to know in answer to your anti-flystrike treatment. I live in Scotland and use Crovect, applied every six weeks during the fly season, judged by the weather, but usually May to October. We do only the lambs in May, and don't apply to the ewes until after shearing, as any of these products on the fleece will limit how you can make use of them. Also ewes tend to be less affected by flies than lambs early in the season. You need to keep a good watch though and act promptly if your ewes are behaving strangely, which could indicate strike.
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I use Cooper's Spot-On to keep the tick population off my sheep. Ewes treated in late March when they get their clostridial vaccine boost, lambs at about a week or 10 days before they go onto the hill. All get treated again in August to protect them against the August tick rise.
This seems to work quite well. The only reason I can think of for using it in winter is if you have problems with lice, but I haven't found it very effective for this.
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Thank you for all your replies.
It was suggested as they will be living with horses that it would be a good idea to use spot on throughout the winter to help prevent lice and ticks (as there is other horses nearby prone to lice) and then use clik or another shortly after shearing. I wasn't convinced so thought it would be worth an ask! Anyone with any experience?
Our shopping list seems to be getting longer!!
We are getting Ryelands. And are based in Kent.
Thanks again
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No point putting anything on to soon after shearing as there is no fleece for it to stick to....
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I use spot on for the ponies in the spring as a routine spring mot thing. I find the oldies to be nor susceptible to them x
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No point putting anything on to soon after shearing as there is no fleece for it to stick to....
......unless you hand shear with blades :sheep:
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Are your horses used to living with sheep? The horses can seriously hurt them if you are not careful.
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[member=132794]Scarlet.Dragon[/member] that sounds pretty impressive! Maybe that should be my next project!
[member=23122]Herdygirl[/member] yep horses are used to them! Must admit they weren't keen at first but having borrowed various sheep they are quite happy grazing altogether now. :D