Search results

  1. Vicki_Ann

    Situation Vacant Sheep Farming, Fencing & Building

    Looking for someone Full time ideally on a self employed basis to start ASAP This is a very varied role never a dull moment with something different to do every day. We have 650 ewes that are just about finished lambing on two seperate farms. We also have a busy fencing and Building business...
  2. Vicki_Ann

    A new one for me... Dead lamb with extras

    We had one like that born in South Africa but more wool. This was out of a hog a few years ago, was most bizarre as front legs out and head in pelvic canal and then a dead stop. Only when I caesared her did it all become clear. Luckily she was a twin and her other lamb was perfect which she...
  3. Vicki_Ann

    Viral lung complaint called O.P.A

    Everything I have read doesn't give a definitive answer to how long the virus survives outside of the sheep, but it's weeks, not months and years. OPA is not known to affect other species so using cattle to graze the pasture following having infected sheep there should be safe enough. OPA is...
  4. Vicki_Ann

    Fluke drench - dosing gun problem.

    Flukiver is a good follow up drench for fluke in sheep this time of year :) Just about to go through ours with it (y)
  5. Vicki_Ann

    Twin lamb disease top tips.

    I would try a higher dose of dex - 16mg is commonly cited as being used experimentally, and I tend to give anywhere between 6 and 10ml (Rapidexon is 2mg/ml) to my own ewes if I want to induce them. Some sheep require more than one injection of dex, so if they haven't chucked their lambs within...
  6. Vicki_Ann

    Ravens and crows

    I often wonder how useful some of the European flock guardian dog breeds might be over here. http://www.hcn.org/articles/searching-for-the-best-dog-to-save-livestock-and-wildlife That's an interesting read, and one person says their dog will chase off ravens that try to go for lambs. I think...
  7. Vicki_Ann

    Viral lung complaint called O.P.A

    The virus can survive for several weeks in the environment. Sadly, there does not seem to be research which has given a definitive answer on how long it can survive in the environment which obviously will depend on climatic conditons, but it is not thought to be years. It would be a good idea to...
  8. Vicki_Ann

    Twin lamb disease top tips.

    All of the above ^. 100ml propylene glycol product (Ketosaid or similar) daily for a few days, calcium never a bad idea when you are (educated) guessing at a diagnosis. I have seen a few cases of TLD brought on by pneumonia with the changeable weather this year and without a careful examination...
  9. Vicki_Ann

    Aggressive Huntaway.

    Sounds like you are on it (y) Hopefully he will increase in confidence and you will reap the rewards in the next few months. When these things are addressed quickly, often it's not such a huge deal as when it becomes more 'set' in older dogs who have never learnt strangers aren't scary. You...
  10. Vicki_Ann

    Viral lung complaint called O.P.A

    Sorry I am a bit late to this. OPA is a pain and not something you want to knowingly introduce to any flock. If these ewes are heavily in lamb and can be kept isolated from the rest of the flock throughout lambing and rearing their lambs then I would be tempted to lamb them and cull them when...
  11. Vicki_Ann

    Mobile sheep handling systems

    We have a Prattley and it's brilliant. We have put some fairly wild yearling ewes through it and it stood up to them well. Lots of options for making pens and very quick and easy to set up and pack away. A friend has an Alligator which we borrowed before getting the Prattley and had to buy a...
  12. Vicki_Ann

    Aggressive Huntaway.

    It's likely to be based on fear and a lack of confidence, and this may well stem from him being in a run and not being allowed to check out strangers and decide they're not that scary. He needs socialisation. At this young age he is hitting adolescence and I have to say most male dogs become a...
  13. Vicki_Ann

    Huntaway vs Kelpie vs Collie

    The OH did ask me what I wanted for my birthday. I did request a sheepdog pup ..... Probably not allowed one though :cautious:
  14. Vicki_Ann

    Huntaway vs Kelpie vs Collie

    We had welshies before this latest collie and sadly the line got fuddled and no good welshies here now. Certainly a lot to think about on this thread and I wonder if I ought to try and see a few more of these various dogs working before we decide. My young collie who is just coming into work...
  15. Vicki_Ann

    vet pushes cow's uterus back in on countryfile

    Vets always vary in what they do. We tend to use what we find works. I have only ever had one come back out (and put an awful lot back in) and that one case the uterus was absolutely huge and I did struggle to reach the ends of the horns. Once put back again it had involuted enough that the...
  16. Vicki_Ann

    vet pushes cow's uterus back in on countryfile

    I don't stitch, if the uterus is back in and all turned back the right way it shouldn't come back out once pain relief, calcium, oxytocin and extradural given. A cow will push her bed through stitches no problem but just shred it as she does. I would rather it came back out whole if it's going...
  17. Vicki_Ann

    Sheep lice

    Thank you :) I live with a farmer and work with farmers every day of my working life, I think I have far more :banghead: situations on farm at home than I could ever have anywhere else. I've found the best way is to give some information and my own opinion/advice and then just wait for that to...
  18. Vicki_Ann

    Huntaway vs Kelpie vs Collie

    Haha yes, I think poor Holly's legs have recovered from them now! We are considering phoning Paul to see what he has. I'd love a pup because I like to bring them up around the farm and around us but the OH would really like a part-trained dog from Paul. We will have to decide what the plan is...
  19. Vicki_Ann

    Huntaway vs Kelpie vs Collie

    Very tempted by your pups Neil! Especially knowing the lines are Paul's. He trained both our dogs and his dogs are impressive. I made sure Holly came out to chip them though, the temptation would have been too great if I'd seen them! You have confirmed what I already thought, we are probably...
  20. Vicki_Ann

    Huntaway vs Kelpie vs Collie

    We have one good working collie, one coming into work who sadly won't manage the amount of work on his own due to injury in his first year and a couple of collie 'ornaments' about the place who are lovely pets but not much use for anything else. Myself and the OH generally are not keen on...
Top