Author Topic: Male lamb concerns  (Read 4125 times)

Kimkimmy

  • Joined Feb 2014
  • Pen Llyn
Male lamb concerns
« on: September 02, 2016, 06:41:59 pm »
We successfully lambed for the first time in March with 16 healthy lambs. All was well until about a month ago. We noticed that three of the male lambs were much smaller and not thriving. Their horns were not as developed and brittle and they were scouring. They have been heptavac'd and wormed and trearted against fly strike. One died at the weekend and I'm concerned about the other two. All the girls and the rest of the boys are very healthy. Any thoughts or advice much appreciated .
You either get it right or you learn

shep53

  • Joined Jan 2011
  • Dumfries & Galloway
Re: Male lamb concerns
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2016, 06:44:34 pm »
Take to VET  QUICKLY

Kimkimmy

  • Joined Feb 2014
  • Pen Llyn
Re: Male lamb concerns
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2016, 06:55:39 pm »
Yes  - had hoped they were perking up this morning but trailers attached.
You either get it right or you learn

Anke

  • Joined Dec 2009
  • St Boswells, Scottish Borders
Re: Male lamb concerns
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2016, 08:37:55 pm »
Fluke?

Melmarsh

  • Joined May 2014
Re: Male lamb concerns
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2016, 10:55:28 pm »
Vet...FEC.. vitamin or mineral deficiency, as in pine ??? Nematodiarus?? Let us know how you get on

TheSmilingSheep

  • Joined May 2013
Re: Male lamb concerns
« Reply #5 on: September 04, 2016, 09:18:53 am »
 :bouquet:
What a rubbish thing to have to happen to you (and the lambs) - so sorry.
Do let us know if you find out what the problem may have been....

waterbuffalofarmer

  • Joined Apr 2014
  • Mid Wales
  • Owner of 61 Mediterranean water buffaloes
Re: Male lamb concerns
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2016, 12:14:19 pm »
I am very sorry to hear about this :hug: Do let us know how you get on at the vets?
All the best
WBF
the most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, loving concern.

Marches Farmer

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Herefordshire
Re: Male lamb concerns
« Reply #7 on: September 04, 2016, 04:26:45 pm »
Take to VET  QUICKLY

I agree. You need to get to the bottom of this before you lose any more lambs and certainly before you put the ewes to the tup again.  It is, after all, just under 19% of your lambs affected, with a mortality rate of 6%.

Kimkimmy

  • Joined Feb 2014
  • Pen Llyn
Re: Male lamb concerns
« Reply #8 on: September 04, 2016, 09:10:52 pm »
It was blow fly strike. Just goes to show you can't let your guard down. We had crovact the flock in July and dagged 2 weeks ago - no problem then.   The one we took to the vet had no maggots but vet pretty convinced by the anorexia and listlessness. We checked them all again immediately we realised and 4 out of the 8 male lambs had maggots. Strangely the ewe lambs were fine  but they were on an adjoining field. All affected lambs treated with spot on and we've put in a mineral lick. All much cherpier and eating well. I've since done a lot of reading on this and the most effective treatment seems to be to spray end of May and then August.  Lesson learned the hard way. Thanks for all your support. 
You either get it right or you learn

twizzel

  • Joined Apr 2012
Re: Male lamb concerns
« Reply #9 on: September 04, 2016, 10:06:31 pm »
We crovect every 6 weeks to cover from May through to October. There has been a lot of strike around this year, especially if you haven't kept up to date with clik or crovect  :bouquet:

 
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