[landroverroy]

An old sheep farmer told me - mix some powdered sulphur or flowers of sulphur in equal quantities with salt in a substantial (because sheep will trash it) container and give them free access. The sheep  will help themselves and the orf will dry up in about 2 weeks, and better still it seems to kill the spores and prevent re infection the next year. I have had orf about 3 times in 30 years, all from bought in stock. After using this remedy I have not had a recurrence from the outbreak - only from the other stock. 

[mab]

Ok, that's another option- just wondering what's the difference between powered sulphur and flowers of sulphur.


Main issue at the moment (I've acquired some daz) is that the worst affected lambs are out in the scrubland. The ewes are bucket trained but if i lead them back with a bucket it'll crowd them all in together which may increase infection (though i suspect it's too late for that) and the lambs i actually want corralled stay out whist the ewes all come in.


I've been enticing individual ewes with lambs in as and when they come near the yard, but that depends on me being here when they happen by.

[landroverroy]

Ok, that's another option- just wondering what's the difference between powered sulphur and flowers of sulphur.

They are the same thing. Flowers of sulphur describes the shape that sulphur naturally forms when produced chemically.  It is then powdered. Chemists usually sell the flowers of sulphur. Larger amounts - like from agricultural stores tend to be powdered.


This mixture with salt, would seem to suit your situation as you don't need to bring the animals in. Just leave it somewhere obvious and they will help themselves.   

[SallyintNorth]

If orf is recurring on your farm, twizz, Scabivax works well.  Vaccinate the lambs each year, the ewes don't need boosters ime.

[landroverroy]

If orf is recurring on your farm, Scabivax works well.  Vaccinate the lambs each year, the ewes don't need boosters ime.

The big advantage of using salt and sulphur is that it not only facilitates healing but it destroys the spores that carry the infection on from year to year.

[SallyintNorth]

If orf is recurring on your farm, Scabivax works well.  Vaccinate the lambs each year, the ewes don't need boosters ime.

The big advantage of using salt and sulphur is that it not only facilitates healing but it destroys the spores that carry the infection on from year to year.

Oh yes, try the natural preventatives first, of course.  But if orf is still occuring for whatever reason, then Scabivax works well.  You have to do the lot, though, as once you've vaccinated any, the live virus is now on the farm again...  :/ 

(We had eradicated it, then found that our neighbour was vaccinating, so ours started getting it again... :/  Hey ho.)

[mab]

If orf is recurring on your farm, Scabivax works well.  Vaccinate the lambs each year, the ewes don't need boosters ime.

The big advantage of using salt and sulphur is that it not only facilitates healing but it destroys the spores that carry the infection on from year to year.

Oh yes, try the natural preventatives first, of course.  But if orf is still occuring for whatever reason, then Scabivax works well.  You have to do the lot, though, as once you've vaccinated any, the live virus is now on the farm again...  :/ 

(We had eradicated it, then found that our neighbour was vaccinating, so ours started getting it again... :/  Hey ho.)

Actually, as far as i know this is the 1st time I've had orf and I've had sheep here 10yrs.  The only movement on in the last 12 months was a cow & calf, but the vet thought it unlikely they would've brought in the orf. So i don't know why it's started.

I guess i like the idea of a preventative lick - either diy of the frobut or both.

Unless it's always been lurking - it's been a bit of a poor year for lambs for me (18 when I've never had less than 26 before) and maybe they're just succumbing to things this year. [size=78%]There have been lifeline lamb and ewe buckets, yellow rockies and a himalayan salt lick over the winter - although the himalayan ran out about a month ago and the lifeline l&e about 2 weeks ago, so i doubt it's mineral issues.[/size]

[Nikkijw]

An old sheep farmer told me - mix some powdered sulphur or flowers of sulphur in equal quantities with salt in a substantial (because sheep will trash it) container and give them free access. The sheep  will help themselves and the orf will dry up in about 2 weeks, and better still it seems to kill the spores and prevent re infection the next year. I have had orf about 3 times in 30 years, all from bought in stock. After using this remedy I have not had a recurrence from the outbreak - only from the other stock.

This sounds interesting thanks, we have a small issue too. Where do you buy the sulphur & will any type of salt do? Thank you