Sheep Chat Thread

[heartsizedfarm]

Thought I'd post a pic of my Shetland sheep Harley since he seemed so keen to have his photo taken this morning.

 

[Penny Hen]

I'm sure some of you recognize Sue Weaver's name as an author of several backyard livestock keeping books. This video was made for her by a friend and features both her Miniature Cheviots and other people's Classic Cheviots. It is a lovely Spring video. Enjoy.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Loved the video! Thanks for posting it.

 

[chooks4life]

Lots of good looking Cheviots in that vid. Thanks for posting.

 

[Acresofchickens]

Hello to all you sheep owners out there!
This thread is created for people who have questions or comments or, well anything to say about sheep! I currently own dairy sheep and I am soon going to get some Shetlands. If you want to join please let me know and I will add you on to the list of members. Anyone who is wondering about anything "sheepish" any questions I will be happy to answer for you. From diseases to lambing, feel free to ask anything. If I can't answer your question for you then I will send you to someone who can or to a thread about thing you're wondering. Hope this helps!

Members:
Alien Chick
SilkiesForEver
ScottnLydia
ladyrsanti
The Farm
Tootsie


Rules:
Obey everything in the "rule book" on BYC
Have fun!

Got some new members! It will not let me edit the first post

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Okay I have a question straight off if that's ok? I have a small flock of Shetlands. My oldest sheep, Nellie, is ten, and this spring she is bagging up. We found it at shearing, milked it out, vet suggested it is a "false pregnancy" because the three males in the herd are wethers, but she bagged up again.

So, my question is, is she at risk of mastitis if I just leave it? Or do I need to milk her out continually? Any meds that will dry her up?

 

[Penny Hen]

Okay I have a question straight off if that's ok? I have a small flock of Shetlands. My oldest sheep, Nellie, is ten, and this spring she is bagging up. We found it at shearing, milked it out, vet suggested it is a "false pregnancy" because the three males in the herd are wethers, but she bagged up again.

So, my question is, is she at risk of mastitis if I just leave it? Or do I need to milk her out continually? Any meds that will dry her up?

Anytime they bag up they can be at risk for mastitis. Less so if a baby hasn't been biting on her but is she bags real tight it stays that way for a while it can damage things. If you just milk her enough to take the pressure off each day she should dry up in about 2 weeks without the meds.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Anytime they bag up they can be at risk for mastitis. Less so if a baby hasn't been biting on her but is she bags real tight it stays that way for a while it can damage things. If you just milk her enough to take the pressure off each day she should dry up in about 2 weeks without the meds.

Thank you. I'll milk her tonight.

 

[Penny Hen]

Here is an epic journey that is happening right now with a man and his goat trekking across America:

 

[chooks4life]

That's interesting Penny Hen. I wouldn't try that without a Maremma or similar to prevent dog attacks because there's a pretty good chance that goat won't survive the trip otherwise.... Maybe that's just me being pessimistic... But I also wouldn't use that sort of goat. He's weedy with a protuberant spine, not too well suited to carrying weight, I'd use a Boer or similar and make sure I had a feed bag for him to wear like horses have so he can munch on the go. Maybe that guy has one, I don't know. Eh, good luck to them, I guess.