Author Topic: mixing flocks and sheep scanners (Read 2528 times)

TheSmilingSheep · « **on:** January 22, 2015, 08:47:42 pm »

Lovely people:
Is it ok to introduce a small number of newly bought pregnant ewes into an existing flock of different (but similarly small) sheep, who comprise a mixture of pregnant ewes, not pregnant ewes and last year's lambs.... on basis that lambing will be in April....?
Don't want to explore purchasing options if being inadvertently reckless....

Also, for anyone who's interested, found very amenable and not too costly sheep scanner who happily scanned 7 ewes (with unhappy results, hence post!) in mid Devon area.... pm if you want details....

Rosemary · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2015, 08:50:30 pm »

Personally, I wouldn't - I'd be worried about introducing disease and about causing stress. But maybe others have done it successfully.

TheSmilingSheep · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2015, 08:53:06 pm »

I think I sort of know that you're right..... but just wondering what experiences others have had....

farmvet · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2015, 09:53:17 pm »

If the new sheep are enzootic abortion accredited the risk is not much different to at any other time of the year eg scab, footrot etc. However if they are not accredited then keep completely separate unitl a few weeks after lambing.

Tim W · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2015, 10:41:04 pm »

Resistant worms
MV
CLA
CAE
Ovine Johnes
OPA
Border Disease
Various abortion problems

Risk shouldn't be much worse now than at any other time (exception enzo)

Proper and planned quarantine is always a good thing