Footbathing sheep

glensman

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North Antrim
What are you currently using to foot bath sheep? I was using formalin yesterday and I hate the stuff and want an alternative that works and doesn't take all day to do.
 

glensman

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North Antrim
http://www.wessexanimalhealth.co.uk/acatalog/Provita-Hoofsure-Endurance.html

This is what I use as it’s organic, but haven’t footbathed anything in a few years. Cull them instead.
Our sheep are 100% terminal sire bred (texel,charollais and rouge) this has benefits in terms of lamb quality and consistency but at the cost of foot problems, particularly in the lambs. We've had lleyn and Romney sheep before which gave very little trouble with their feet. I do cull hard for foot trouble but it's rife in the whitefaced terminals in particular especially in the young lambs , was the hoofsure effective?
 

primmiemoo

Member
Location
Devon
No longer routinely footbathing here, and finding tempers less frayed and sheep more willing to go through races now there's no splash and scrabble at any point.

I've never used formalin ~ watched a near neighbour doing his and thought the chemical harsh (and it upset my lungs) ~ but did used to use Golden Hoof, and then the Hoofsure which were ok as long as feet kept in a deep enough solution for long enough.

Are you using sponge in the footbath to encourage standing?
I found it saved some time overall.
 

exmoor dave

Member
Location
exmoor, uk
Hmmm..... does culling really stop scald flare ups in lambs?

Only foot bath for scald here. Have had many breeds over the years, all them have their pros and cons...... never had a breed where the lamb's didn't get scald when the conditions were right for a outbreak (warm dry after abit of rain particularly)...... just interested in folks thoughts here?
 

Green farmer

Member
Livestock Farmer
Our sheep are 100% terminal sire bred (texel,charollais and rouge) this has benefits in terms of lamb quality and consistency but at the cost of foot problems, particularly in the lambs. , was the hoofsure effective?

Ya, it used to clear them up. I used to run any problem ones through and stand over them to make sure they stood in it for a few minutes. Restraining them like. Found they needed the few minutes in it to work. Afterwards I thought, you could fill it with straw and then water, so they don’t know their standing in it. Main advantage of it is it’s made or organic acids. Still was strong smelling of vinegar until the water was added. Still way less dangerous then formalin. That stuff used to burn off the grass better then roundup when I once used it a good few years back. Burnt me skin as well after splashing myself accidentally.
 

Andyt880

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Co. Down
Hmmm..... does culling really stop scald flare ups in lambs?

Only foot bath for scald here. Have had many breeds over the years, all them have their pros and cons...... never had a breed where the lamb's didn't get scald when the conditions were right for a outbreak (warm dry after abit of rain particularly)...... just interested in folks thoughts here?
I agree, culling won’t prevent lambs getting scald. I have had a lot of scald in lambs here this year. Conditions seemed to be perfect for it. I traditionally use formalin but have used others in the past. Not sure what is best. I have recently ordered a ‘stand in’ foot bath. It is 10’x3’ with side hurdles and end gates. When using this I think I will have more choice of products to use as I some aren’t much use if they are just stepping into it and immediately out again. Is golden hoof any good for scald or is it more for foot rot problems?
 

Nithsdale

Member
Livestock Farmer
No thanks, what about all the side effects and suspected links to cancer ?


The rats which developed cancer to Formalin where exposed to breathing in the fumes, neat, for an extended period of time.

It's believed, mixed to rates used in footbaths, and in well ventilated areas, there is almost no risk (to cover themselves thy will never say no risk, just in case) to humans.
 

ajcc

Member
Livestock Farmer
Ha, try not to sniff the neat formalin or lick the fence stakes or cover your skin in dysect , it’s called common sense...But if the green, safe alternatives don’t work, then you can stay safe and watch your limping, fly blown lambs pushing over that broken fence line.
 

brigadoon

Member
Location
Galloway
Our sheep are 100% terminal sire bred (texel,charollais and rouge) this has benefits in terms of lamb quality and consistency but at the cost of foot problems, particularly in the lambs. We've had lleyn and Romney sheep before which gave very little trouble with their feet. I do cull hard for foot trouble but it's rife in the whitefaced terminals in particular especially in the young lambs , was the hoofsure effective?

Footvax for the adults, Zinc Sulphate and /or antibiotic for the lambs, cull out any adults that still show problems
 

Benr

Member
Location
North Devon
When it’s dry like this we find the best way to keep scald under control is a whole bag of lime around each water trough or other area like telegraph poles where they play
 

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