The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Suebrew on October 29, 2017, 05:25:30 pm

Title: Oessant sheep
Post by: Suebrew on October 29, 2017, 05:25:30 pm
Hello I have a little black Ouessant ram.  I had him as a pet hes now almost 3 and is causing a bit of trouble with my other 3 wethers and pony.   I don't really want to have him put down but would anyone like him.  I am in Hampshire.
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: kanisha on October 29, 2017, 05:27:04 pm
why not just wether him ? problem solved :-)
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 29, 2017, 06:10:44 pm
Your post mentions "other" wethers.  Is he supposed to be one too?  If so, are you sure he's not a rig?
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: Suebrew on October 29, 2017, 06:54:17 pm
Can I have him castrated at 3 years old.  Plus will it calm him down.  Marches Farmer no he was not given as a wether I knew he was a ram.  My others are 2 hampshires and a Jacob and I don't like the way he goes for them.  He was very good for the first 6 months.
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 29, 2017, 07:33:11 pm
Shouldn't be a problem and once the hormones have cleared his system he should be much calmer.
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: kanisha on October 29, 2017, 08:21:47 pm
Have to agree  with marches farmer testosterone fuellled behaviour, off with his bits!
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: Suebrew on October 29, 2017, 09:14:32 pm
Well I will get onto the vet tomorrow I had thought he was too old. I don't know why as my Alpacas were 3 or 4 when I had them done.  thanks all for your advice as I am pretty fond of Roger the ram
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: Suebrew on November 09, 2017, 03:32:18 pm
OK Ive spoken to the vet all can be done no problem.  They have quoted £150 /£200 does this sound a bit excessive????
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: kanisha on November 09, 2017, 03:53:36 pm
depends on how its done maybe get a second quote from a large animal practice?
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: twizzel on November 09, 2017, 04:17:52 pm
I paid no more than £50 to have a ram lamb castrated a couple of years ago. A mature ram would be more expensive but what you've been quoted is excessive I think. Was that with a large animal practise?
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: bj_cardiff on November 09, 2017, 04:48:40 pm
My neighbour had two 6 month old lambs done recently for £45 each. He took them to the surgery in a trailer, vet operated in the back of the trailer and they came straight back. Sounds like your vets want to put them under GA.. Make sure your vet is a large animal vet!
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: Suebrew on November 09, 2017, 05:50:30 pm
They are a large animal vet.   They only work on site they don't have a surgery. I might try and find someone else tomorrow. they are giving a sedation but I think a standing one not a general. Thanks for all your advice guys.
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: SallyintNorth on November 09, 2017, 07:17:08 pm
Our farm vets up north were very loathe to castrate beyond 4 months old, but in your circs I’d hope they’d be more willing.  Did you try to negotiate? 
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: Buttermilk on November 10, 2017, 06:15:51 am
Mine did not charge that for a vasectomy on a 9 month ram, which is a far more fiddley procedure.
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: nimbusllama on November 10, 2017, 08:35:14 am
Could the vet not use a Burdizzo with a local anesthetic? That surely must be cheaper.
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: SallyintNorth on November 10, 2017, 08:52:39 am
Could the vet not use a Burdizzo with a local anesthetic? That surely must be cheaper.

If I remember correctly, Burdizzo is only legal up to one month on sheep, three on calves. 
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: nimbusllama on November 10, 2017, 11:21:31 am
Hi Sally
I think that is the case without an anaesthetic, but I was suggesting the vet could perhaps do it with an anaesthetic? 
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: Suebrew on November 10, 2017, 10:21:08 pm
£100 of the fee is the call out and then £45.00 for time with us rest is the 'job' in hand.  I am going to try and negotiate but they know they are the only large animal vets in our area now  :sheep: :sheep: :sheep:
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: twizzel on November 10, 2017, 11:31:36 pm
Ouch... £100 call out fee! For a large animal vet on an elective call out (I.e not an emergency) that is extortionate. That's along the lines of horse vet prices  :yuck:
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: bj_cardiff on November 11, 2017, 05:53:14 am
How far from the surgery is your farm? £100 seems very expensive!

Can't you take the ram to them and let them operate in the trailer? You'd have no call out then?
Title: Re: Oessant sheep
Post by: Marches Farmer on November 11, 2017, 09:23:33 am
You're in a very expensive part of the country and I've never before heard of a visiting-only vet.  Even so the word "extortionate" springs to mind.