Post by milkmachine on Apr 24, 2020 16:11:23 GMT -5
For a lot of different, valid reasons we decided to transition from raising cows to dairy sheep. We bought 6 East Friesian/Lacaune cross ewes & 3 Icelandic ewes in December. For the first few months I was very pleased with the change: the daily chores were much lighter work & took less time. As we approached lambing some of the ewes started having either foot rot or scald. I still don't know if it was foot rot that I just caught early or scald. It wasn't even really wet or muddy. Then 2 of my 5 bred ewes had intermittent prolapses. Then my first two ewes lambed fine. My next ewe (they are all yearling, first time ewe lambs bred to a Texel) lost her 14.5 lb ram lamb. He was too big for her & malpresented. The next ewe also needed a strong pull & stretching to have her twins. The last ewe also had a REALLY tough lambing with two 12.5lb lambs malpresented. The vet had to come out for her. She looked like she wouldn't make it after. She is fine now but I think she has mastitis but I've treated her with Spectramast & LA200 & the lambs are on her so I think she has gotten as much help as I can give. Now all my lambs have sore mouth & the moms are starting to get it on their udders too! Also, most of the lambs & 2 of the icelandic ewes have had pneumonia. Yes, we have had crazy weather but that is just what winter into spring/March means in MI. I'm new to sheep but I'm not unfamiliar with the basics of keeping livestock healthy & what I did for my cows always kept them healthy! It really has been exhausting and they are proving to be VERY high maintenance. I miss having my calves be virtually problem free. Maybe I would have to deal with coccidiosis but it was easy to spot & easy to treat. Calving also was much more uneventful. Many of my cows would have a hard time transitioning but once over that hump, it was smooth sailing. Are sheep always like this? Or am I just having a first year with a lot of "learning experiences". If they are just like this, they should come with a warning label!!!