The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: milliebecks on November 11, 2016, 02:27:02 pm
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I've read the older threads about raddle options and am planning to make my own paste to put directly onto the tup (I undertand harnesses tend to be too big on shetland tups), which other people seem to have tried with success.
My plan is (non-toxic) powdered poster paint mixed with vaseline.
My question - is there any reason vaseline is a bad idea and if so, what is the best alternative? I've considered lard (might be smelly and put the ewes off?) and veg oil (would that penetrate the fleece and go rancid?)
Any advice would be appreciated :)
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I've used veg oil with the raddle powder you can buy, no problems with it going rancid.
I don't understand why you would risk using poster paint powder when you can buy raddle powder that's designed and tested for the purpose?
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yep, raddle powder and veg oil.
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"I don't understand why you would risk using poster paint powder when you can buy raddle powder that's designed and tested for the purpose?"
I have only found great big tubs of raddle powder, whereas you can buy small amounts of different colour poster paints. I've also read in one of my sheep books that it's a good option if you're operating on a small scale ... :-\
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You can buy small tubs of raddle powder - Agrimark does them in 450g (eg http://www.fanevalleystores.com/product/144300/agrimark-ram-mating-raddle-450g-choice-of-colours (http://www.fanevalleystores.com/product/144300/agrimark-ram-mating-raddle-450g-choice-of-colours)), or you can get 1kg tubs. To be honest you'll be surprised how much you get through. It's not expensive. If your local stockist doesn't stock small tubs just ask them to get you some.
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I use a small tub of raddle powder and cheap soft marg. Not had a problem with it
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I used marg one year - after a suggestion on here i think ... well, it went rancid so I switched back to veg oil :)
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"I don't understand why you would risk using poster paint powder when you can buy raddle powder that's designed and tested for the purpose?"
I have only found great big tubs of raddle powder, whereas you can buy small amounts of different colour poster paints. I've also read in one of my sheep books that it's a good option if you're operating on a small scale ... :-\
I buy small tubs and what I don't use this year I use next. Mole Valley have them.
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"I don't understand why you would risk using poster paint powder when you can buy raddle powder that's designed and tested for the purpose?"
I have only found great big tubs of raddle powder, whereas you can buy small amounts of different colour poster paints. I've also read in one of my sheep books that it's a good option if you're operating on a small scale ... :-\
We buy packs that are about half a pound I think, from Jobsons. Online I found 450g. The powder doesn't go off if it's stored correctly.
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Thanks all. I'll source some raddle powder.
I did check though, and it was Tim Tyne's book (my 'bible') that mentions making your own with "children's powder paints with margarine". I think, as a small smallholder, it gets into your mindset that everything is sold in great big packages and, therefore, wasteful!
Tup will go in today anyhow. He's untried, so I was planning to raddle just to check that he's working - it's not critical to be able to work out timings. I'll have an enjoyable hour or two watching them anyway ....
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Our Shetland tups wear a raddle harness with no problems, and the blocks are just over £1. Just check to make sure they are not rubbing.
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A harness is fine on a mature shetland tup and last year I used one on a shetland ram lamb. Just make it as small as possible and tie the ends up out the way.