[tommytink]

I had a new tup this year, an older boy, and he’s got very thin. He wasn’t massive when he came, certainly not as well-covered as our previous boy, and I think he struggled to adjust as he’d spent his whole life in one other place that is bigger than ours. He looked a bit depressed, didn’t graze much, but perked up when he went with the girls. Since his return he has looked happier and seems more settled, however he feels pretty thin. He’s on crap ground as it’s that time of year but loves his hay, and he has been getting some lamb creep although not on a regular basis.
He’s in with three tup lambs which are in the condition I’d expect them to be. It’s just the big one.
What else can I supplement him with to try and apply some weight? Should I feed him a lot more lamb creep? I’ve only been giving it as a treat, every few days or when the weather’s been bad. Or is there something else?
His teeth are fine and don’t think he has a worm issue. I’m going to give him a vitamin dose but appreciate that’s not going to fix it.

[Fleecewife]

Why Lamb Creep?  Give him a tup coarse mix to get his strength back.


You say he's older; how old exactly?  Could it be Johne's disease (Paratuberculosis)? Consult a vet for differential diagnosis.

[shep53]

You've asked the correct questions ,so you just need a little reassurance  ,how do you know worms /fluke are not a problem ?? when the vets are back to normal ,separate him and collect some faeces for a fec  and take in to vets ,ask for fluke eggs  ( liver  / rumen ) then you will know for sure .  Find a coarse mix or roll /nut suitable for rams ( probably cheaper than lamb creep ) and start feeding him every day ,start small amounts  and gradually increase .  A ram which is lean at the start of tupping can loose condition quickly  ,if he fails to recover  then you need the vet to look at other reasons

[tommytink]

He was wormed when he arrived in August and fluked end of Oct. He isn’t showing any signs of worms but appreciate there aren’t always physical symptoms.

I feel he struggled to adjust when he came here from a “proper” farm to a much smaller place. He paced around a lot and didn’t seem to eat much. He seemed stressed. He is around five. Born 2018. He was happier with the ewes on the larger winter field. Back here the fields are smaller but he is improved on how he was previously, and does interact with the little boys.

I will have a look for a good mix to give him. I have had something they called “show mix” in our local co-op before but at this time of year they don’t seem to stock it. The other local farm place just did a feed suitable for mixed animals.

[Anke]

If you are planning on using him next year as well, I would definitely get him tested for Johne's (initial blood test), especially as you did not breed him and the stress of moving to your place may well have turned him positive....


If he was just on a one year job contract, I would not mess around and have him off the holding asap, though it may then be useful to have a faecal Johne's test done in case he was not just positive but shedding as well, in which case you may have introduced the disease to your flock by now.

[twizzel]

As above I’d get the vet involved, have them out to do a full work up. Test for johnes and MV and mineral deficiency and see what else they suggest.

[Bywaters]

not sure what breed, but in my experience, once they get to that age, it is difficult to get them to put on weight esp this time of year without a decent bit of extra.
See what the vet says, but I would be giving him at least a pound of tup mix per day and more if he wants it - esp if you want to use him next year
They will need some decent rations to offset the horrible weather  we are having

Hopefully, an idea there