Sheep handling tool for docking and scratching for orf

B

Benr

Member

Location

North Devon

• Aug 22, 2017

• #1

Been battling with the sheep this week turning them all up and scratch them for Orf and then docking them. We used to have a W M Ironworks turnover crate but we never found the sheep sat comfortably in it and always thrashed around so we sold that.

I can see that a squeeze system would work well for docking, jabbing and drenching etc, but would you have access to pull their front leg up to scratch for orf?

Are their any other options?

 

Downton_shep

Member

Location

Leintwardine

• Aug 22, 2017

• #2

You could use a combi clamp and scratch them on the tail.

 

exmoor dave

Member

Location

exmoor, uk

• Aug 22, 2017

• #3

We used to have a Harrington turn over system for orf scratching ewes and dagging.

Stopped orf scratching so the Harrington wasn't used much afters so sold it.

 

cotswoldcs

Member

Location

Bang In the heart of the Cotswolds

• Aug 22, 2017

• #4

We scratch all ewes on the tail and find the combi clamp works a treat for the job. Miles easier than when we used to do them down a race. We do lambs on the leg but they're only small and usually only a day or three old.

 

cotswoldcs

Member

Location

Bang In the heart of the Cotswolds

• Aug 22, 2017

• #5

Also why vaccinate this time of year? When are you lambing @Benr ?

 

B

Benr

Member

Location

North Devon

• Aug 22, 2017

• #6

We lamb in February. The vaccine gives a years cover so we find it a convenient time to do it as they will go to ram early September and then Straight off to keep for the winter. They don't come back until after Christmas and go straight into the shed, so there isn't really another convenient time to do it.
We have been doing it like this for the last couple of years and is still effective

 

cotswoldcs

Member

Location

Bang In the heart of the Cotswolds

• Aug 22, 2017

• #7

OK. We do ours at the same time as Heptavac P about 6 weeks prior to lambing. Lambs within a few days or weeks of birth. When do others orf vaccinate their ewes?

 

B

Benr

Member

Location

North Devon

• Aug 22, 2017

• #8

I have always been told that you need to allow 2 weeks between different vaccines to allow for an immune response

 

cotswoldcs

Member

Location

Bang In the heart of the Cotswolds

• Aug 22, 2017

• #9

Benr said:

I have always been told that you need to allow 2 weeks between different vaccines to allow for an immune response

Click to expand...

That's an interesting point. Anyone else agree with this? No reason why I couldn't do the orf 2 weeks earlier. Always willing to learn but it's amazing how many things you do "because that the way we've always done it!"

 

Downton_shep

Member

Location

Leintwardine

• Aug 22, 2017

• #10

Might not be best practice to scratch tails pre tupping.
Weaning might be a better time or scanning depending on when you house.

 

neilo

Member

Mixed Farmer

Location

Montgomeryshire

• Aug 22, 2017

• #11

Benr said:

We lamb in February. The vaccine gives a years cover so we find it a convenient time to do it as they will go to ram early September and then Straight off to keep for the winter. They don't come back until after Christmas and go straight into the shed, so there isn't really another convenient time to do it.
We have been doing it like this for the last couple of years and is still effective

Click to expand...

The vaccine gives 6 months cover, at best. I've only ever done ewes 8 wks pre-lambing (I don't now) and have always done them on the side of the tail, standing in a pen/race. DON'T do that if you are doing them pre-tupping though, or you may end up with Rams with very sore todgers.

Your ewes will have pretty well lost immunity by lambing time so, if you're not seeing problems with the current system, personally I'd think about dropping the scratching.

 

neilo

Member

Mixed Farmer

Location

Montgomeryshire

• Aug 22, 2017

• #12

Benr said:

I have always been told that you need to allow 2 weeks between different vaccines to allow for an immune response

Click to expand...

In an ideal world, maybe. I don't live in an ideal world, and certainly don't want to handle mobs of ewes separately for each vaccine they get. Does the stress from the extra handling have any effect on vaccination response and antibody production?
I have happily given 3 or 4 vaccines at a time, without any issues from doing so.

 

B

Benr

Member

Location

North Devon

• Aug 22, 2017

• #13

The data sheet states it gives at least 12 months cover, they wouldn't be able to make this claim without effectively testing it:
http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/?id=-456135&template=template_printview