Author Topic: Sheep poo! (Read 31741 times)

moprabbit · « **on:** September 24, 2012, 07:54:36 pm »

Probably a very daft question to ask, but the thing about this forum is it doesn't seem to matter hopefully!? 3 of my sheep always seem to produce 'rabbit like' droppings, yet another always seems to produce large lumps of poo - occasionally a little bit loose. I have seen her produce the 'rabbit like' ones, but more than likely she's the one who produces the big lumps! I just wondered if there was any reason for it. Is it something to do with their digestive system?
They were all wormed at the same time.
Thanks!

Brucklay · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2012, 08:12:13 pm »

We have a bit of a range - and yes I go actively looking (sad but a good idea I think) out of 25 sheep - 85% rabbit poo, re rest a bit more lumpy and one quite often a bit runny which is driving me crazy!!

They are all happy and healthy, vaccinated etc and look in good condition - sorry feel in good condition so I think it's just them as individuals and re a previous post re runny bum one - quite a few people seem to have one that like that - so although I worry, I try not to worry too much.

in the hills · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2012, 08:23:13 pm »

In 2 years not yet had one with runny poo. Most of the time it is rabbit-like but there seem to be periods when I notice a lot of larger but still firm droppings. They are much larger - more dog-like maybe- normal colour.

Is it to do with nutritional content of the grass or if they are doing a lot of browsing of hedges etc. ?

shep53 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2012, 08:37:56 pm »

Sheep are individuals , with different constitutions , tolerance to worms,and ability to utilise foods

Blackbird · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2012, 11:05:26 am »

I wonder if it's something to do with different breeds as well? My Shetland and Heb cross do marbles and the GFDs do logs. Brucklay, I have a lamb who has had a runny bum since I got him July. Been vaccinated and treated for every parasite known to sheep, not on lush grass etc. etc. yet rarely produces anything solid. However he's bright and bonny, is growing well and feels in good condition.

Blackbird · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2012, 10:31:33 am »

Just a bit of an update on Borage, aka Mucky Bum, the GFD wether who's been loose since I got him in July. Yet another FEC sample to the vet coming back clear (he had the runs accompanied by mucus - yuck) - she now thinks he just has a sensitive gut and will always be runny. Hmmm- all very well in winter but a problem when we're back to flystrike weather. No more coarse mix (or any other concentrates) for him I think, just hay to supplement forage. Any other thoughts? Perhaps a bit of Readybrek made with water?

Dans · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2012, 01:13:03 pm »

Working with sheep poo I can certainly say you get different types, I've always assumed it is to do with diet and, as Shep said, sheep being individuals with different constitutions. I must say the majority of poop I see is what I would call 'soft partially pelleted'.

Dans

in the hills · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2012, 01:58:45 pm »

Oooooo Dans, are you a poo expert?

What exactly do you do?

Dans · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2012, 02:16:27 pm »

PhD student at the moment, working on liver fluke. Working on some molecular diagnostics at the moment but have done my fair share of fluke FEC in the last 2 years and the faecal samples still keep coming. Last count was 2940 faecal samples passed through my hands in 2 years, I live the glamorous life

Dans

in the hills · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2012, 02:35:21 pm »

Blimey .... we know who to ask about that then.

That's a lot of poo and I thought I saw my fair share of it

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2012, 03:00:31 pm »

If you had a cow had a runny bum no matter what you did with her you'd test for Johnnes disease. Is there a sheep equivalent?

Canadian Sheepfarmer · « **Reply #11 on:** December 18, 2012, 03:06:05 pm »

I was always told, by shepherds I have to say, not vets,

that each pellet in sheep droppings is the result of a single cud.
ie Bring up/chew/swallow. One pellet, one mouthful.

So some sheep don't rest enough and chew the cud properly, an important part of the day in sheepland. Perhaps stressed or flighty or generally off colour, or on a new feed?

I am always studying their droppings as I walk about, it tells you so much about feeding and worming requirements.
Important part of the job.
Snigger-ye-not!

Polished Arrow · « **Reply #12 on:** December 18, 2012, 07:01:48 pm »

When my sheep's poohs turn too soft, I increase the level of hay in their feed.

Tilly · « **Reply #13 on:** December 19, 2012, 10:59:25 am »

............Can I pose a question to Dans regarding worm counts on sheep.
Our local animal supplies` merchant does kits for collecting poo for worm counts,I have never had one done before and thought it to be a good thing to do.

When I was in the store yesterday I asked how good the test was for lung worms and fluke in the sheep ,the lady said "stomach worms were a lot easier to detect." $:-\$

Can you shed a little light on this -does what she said mean fluke and lungworms may not be detected even if they are present in the animal?

--and and by the way I hope you are feeling a little better .
Many thanks

Tilly

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2012, 11:09:28 am »

Thanks for asking that, Tilly - I had also wondered but not got around to asking the question. Our vet doesn't rate FECs at all, saying it's too easy to get false negatives, so we have no experience of using them.

Sheep poo! - The Accidental Smallholder