Author Topic: New sheep - baptism by fire (Read 4917 times)

suziequeue · « **on:** September 21, 2010, 07:13:13 pm »

Well - we've had our little flock for about a fortnight now and they've rarely been far from our minds. What a carry-on!!!

We are learning fast!!

We've checked their feet , sprayed stuff on, clipped stuff off, sprayed more stuff on, drenched with one thing, drenched with another thing........

We have seven ewes of varying ages http://www.flickr.com/photos/54129730@N08/5011870083/in/photostream/ and two little ram lambs http://www.flickr.com/photos/54129730@N08/5011870083/in/photostream/ for slaughter after Christmas. One (number nine) is not a very good doer. He's quite small and seems stiff and lame in his legs despite all of the above. Yesterday, reading a book in the bath about lamb ailments I came across "stiff lamb disease" - otherwise known as erysipelas!!!! Well that scared me!... so off he went to the vet this morning - all folorn looking. Darling husband looking resigned. He had some work organised for today (like this happens about three times a year!!!) so he's having to ring around and delay everything by three hours coz I've got to catch the 6.15 train to work...... Has to take lamb in the back of the Jaguar because the Landrover's all loaded up ready for this job he'd got planned...... gets lamb in the vets office where he skitters about, won't be caught, does a big wee........(the lamb that is!!). Vet says he hasn't got erysipelas but gives him a shot of NSAIDs and antibiotics.

He seems happier this evening. Not glued to his little area by the hedge. I've seen him eating but he's still very stiff.

Fingers crossed.

andywalt · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2010, 07:25:26 pm »

The Badgers look great in the photos

keep up the good work

morri2 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2010, 07:51:55 pm »

Lovely sheep, what breed are they?

Hope your little ram lamb improves - did the vet mention 'joint ill' at all?

suziequeue · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2010, 08:04:25 pm »

They're badger-faced sheep - Torddu variant (black bellied). A welsh mountain variety.

I don't think the vet mentioned joint ill but I am less inclined to suspect that as the joints are cool and not swollen.

But - we shall see. I expect we will never get a definitive diagnosis if he picks up. he vet thought he was stiffer in his back legs which may be due to the fact that he was clamped late (before we got them) I understand

andywalt · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2010, 08:17:44 pm »

yes

i have heard that some ram lambs never pick up and progress much after castration, I dont know how true that is?

suziequeue · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2010, 08:43:29 pm »

Well - I'll keep you posted. Problem is - I really want the little beggar to win. Eeeeek - I'm becoming attached

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morri2 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2010, 09:00:56 pm »

I know the feeling well, believe me!!!

bazzais · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2010, 09:37:38 pm »

'lamb in the back of the jag' - I love it

Thats animal husbandry for you, you'll do anything for the little bastards even if it does involve soiling your best upholstery, carpet, car, shirt, trousers or anything else you thought you could ever keep clean.

Hope he is OK.

Ta

Baz

andywalt · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2010, 10:49:05 pm »

I like it

suziequeue · « **Reply #9 on:** September 22, 2010, 08:38:35 am »

"The girls" photo looks like they are a cool band posing for an album cover!!

Ram lambs seem more settled today. For a moment there I thought that number nine was walking without a limp but it soon reappeared in his off hind leg but it looked more like stiffness and less like pain. He's certainly weight bearing equally on all four feet and looks alot perkier.

Fingers crossed.