[graham-j]

Hi,I have one of last years wethers that seems to stand alone outside the rest the flock.When I fill up the hay feeder or troth with nut he stands off whereas the others pile in.He also often seems to get his head stuck in the fence a lot,every time one is stuck its him.
He walks fine,looking in mis mouth every think looks fine and he is clean around his back end,he is thinner than the rest but then he would be if he keeps getting his head stuck.

I'm not sure what to think with him,the only thing wrong that I can see is his behavior,is a little quiet.

Graham.

[kanisha]

maybe he spends more time trying to feed through the fence as he gets pushed out from the feed.....

[Pedwardine]

Some sheep really aren't into the dry feed. I've a young ram who barely eats hay and eats a little feed if there's not too much action at the trough. Otherwise he's constantly looking for grass. Is he trying to reach some greenery on the other side of the fence? Try him with something as close to his normal vegetation as poss like readigrass. I'd worry if he's thin compared to the rest. He needs tempting with something nice at least to check if he's an appetite at all. As Kanisha said, maybe he's just not up for the jostle of getting stuck in with the others. You could try some cabbage leaves/heart or chopped up carrot just to see if is completely off his food.

[SallyintNorth]

If you have, or can get, a good mineral drench that could help him - sometimes they're missing a trace element, which depresses appetite, causes them to seek to forage for whatever they're lacking...  Of course, no doubt that element is present in the hard feed he's refusing...     Have you tried offering ivy?  Willow branches?

[graham-j]

Hi,thanks for all the replies,I will watch him to hopefully see him feed if only grass which is starting to get poor now.They have a mineral feed bucket,so minerals are available to him.I will take some of the suggested food to see if I can tempt him carrots and Ivy there is loads of that up the other field.
Its a woman's garden he keeps trying to get into he managed to get in there under the fence when I first got him,and spent the day there so he know what she has got.

Thanks Graham

[Pedwardine]

How is he Graham?

[graham-j]

Hi,got there today,his head was stuck through the fence again,released him.I couldn't get near enough to him to fee him any thing and all the other sheep were all over me.He was in amongst them to day rather than on his own.
All the time I am there he just stands there looking at me.I didn't have as much time there as I'd hoped today,other work over ran.
If I could just stop him getting his head stuck in the fence that would be something.Its standard stock fencing right round the field.

Graham.

[smee2012]

Could you put chicken wire over the part that borders the garden? We had one tub lamb that insisted on sticking his head through the fence at every opportunity (and getting stuck  ) - even when there was nothing but bare ploughed field on the other side 

[graham-j]

Hi,I did think this but that part of the fence is 80m long,and he dose get his head stuck in other parts.I am considering electric fencing round the whole field but that dose seem extreme.

Graham.

[SallyintNorth]

I know you have a mineral lick out, but if this fella is getting bullied he maybe can't get the minerals.  Give him a good drench.

[colliewoman]

DOes he have horns? If so have a search back though the goat forum, there is a method of taping a stick to the horns to stop them getting wedged in fences but I can't remember what it is.
And I second SITN with the idea of a good mineral drench. Buckets are only effective if they can get to them. Thats why even with only 13 sheep I have 2 buckets at opposite ends of the field. That way my naughty baggages cannot guard both at the same time.
I still drench the little timid ones though.


Where are you, if you are near me I can let you have some mineral drench if you like

[goosepimple]

What breed is he?

[graham-j]

Hi,he's a Texal X Suffolk,they seem to be the standard bread around my way other than pure suffolks.
It's a shame he doesn't have horns that would stop him,good Idea me thinks.There are now two lick buckets a nearly empty one and a new one.
Thanks for the offer of giving me some drench,I would be very greatfull,I am in the south east,Canterbury.What would be a good drench to buy and how often should I use it.
This is the wormer I used:http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Combinex-Sheep/productinfo/COMBISHEEP/ it says its a combi wormer so I'm not sure if than includes flukes,the bottom half of the field has been very for weeks.What do you think.
I got to the field tonight,and for the first time in I don't know how long.he was half way down the field on the outside of the flock and not with his head stuck in the fence,I tried climbing the gate to get a better look but the all came running including him which he didn't before,he just gradually walked up and stood off at a distance.I filled up the hay feeder some of the sheep were jumping in the back of the trailer to get the fresh hay,he stood off on his own.I filled the feeder and left the field and then then as soon as I was out of the field he was barging his way in and getting some hay.
So I've got my fingers crossed he may be coming round.
My too biggest concerns are its always him who has there head through the fence and second his stand offish behavior,he is a little thinner that the others,but not badly seriously under.
What really drew my attention to him was the fact that he stood off,when every other sheep had there heads stuck in the feed trough after ewe pellets.
Looking better this evening,not stuck in the fence,looked like he was grazing,came running up the field with the rest of the sheep when I arrived and best bit barging other sheep out of the way at the hay feeder once I left and hid up.I will continue to keep a close eye as I do for all my sheep.

Thanks for your advice Graham.

[smee2012]

You shouldn't give males ewe nuts - especially wethers. It can cause urinary calculi (see this link - http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/urincalc.html ) and make the sheep really poorly and can be fatal. Perhaps that's what's wrong with your wether? Or he could certainly have fluke, especially given the wet weather we've had recently. I'd recommend dosing him for fluke regardless, and if he doesn't perk up then have the vet check him over.

[goosepimple]

I knew someone who bred pure Texels and said they needed special food, don't know about crosses though.  Sheep - could be 101 things.