Footbathing sheep

[Further a field]

I'm planning on foot bathing sheep prior to housing .the product I ve got from local ag merchants is Tennants formaldehyde solution 38 10%.
There are no instructions on usage and guy at merchants was a bit vague but said it needed to be diluted for use.
What would be the dilution rate for such a product?

 

[idgni]

I'm planning on foot bathing sheep prior to housing .the product I ve got from local ag merchants is Tennants formaldehyde solution 38 10%.
There are no instructions on usage and guy at merchants was a bit vague but said it needed to be diluted for use.
What would be the dilution rate for such a product?

300ml to ten litres water

 

[jed]

Plus a bucket full of road salt .
We‘ve been doing this all summer and it has definitely helped for bugger all added cost.

 

[Moors Lad]

Not sure what strength ours is but we always do 1 litre of formalin to 20 of water.

 

[Al R]

Not sure what strength ours is but we always do 1 litre of formalin to 20 of water.

Thats 5%

 

[Al R]

This is what I use, standard mixture is 1:20, bit more scald/lameness might add a glug more. Codd you move to 2:20.

 

[AftonShepherd]

I was always told any stronger than 3% could be counterproductive but not sure in what way. My boss hired a health and safety consultant and he won't let us have it on the farm. There's half a drum still squirrelled away but not sure how I'll get more once it's used.

 

[Further a field]

I'm planning on foot bathing sheep prior to housing .the product I ve got from local ag merchants is Tennants formaldehyde solution 38 10%.
There are no instructions on usage and guy at merchants was a bit vague but said it needed to be diluted for use.
What would be the dilution rate for such a product?

It seems I need to dilute to around 5% then.i ve never used the stuff before so any more advice is welcomed

 

[ford 7810]

Is Formalin better than zinc sulphate we’ve used zinc for a few years but seemed to have more problems this winter .always let sheep stand in it for a couple of minutes

 

[Muddyroads]

It seems I need to dilute to around 5% then.i ve never used the stuff before so any more advice is welcomed

It’s powerful stuff and I’m surprised you don’t get any information with it. At least you’ve had the sense to ask here about it.
Treat it like a pesticide: gloves and face shield when you handle the concentrate and avoid splashing it. Don’t try sniffing it! Put half the water you expect to use in your foot bath, measure and add the formalin and add the remaining water to make sure it’s well mixed. Don’t put too much in the bath at a time as they won’t want to go through it and will splash more. Some people put straw in the bath to reduce these problems. Don’t let splashes get you in the face.

 

[Further a field]

It’s powerful stuff and I’m surprised you don’t get any information with it. At least you’ve had the sense to ask here about it.
Treat it like a pesticide: gloves and face shield when you handle the concentrate and avoid splashing it. Don’t try sniffing it! Put half the water you expect to use in your foot bath, measure and add the formalin and add the remaining water to make sure it’s well mixed. Don’t put too much in the bath at a time as they won’t want to go through it and will splash more. Some people put straw in the bath to reduce these problems. Don’t let splashes get you in the face.

Thankyou that's sound advice..I m thinking depth wise it only needs to be hoof deep

 

[Boydvalley]

Put some of the 5% mix in a hand spray bottle for treating individual feet. Can use the spray to clean the foot and treat. Saves antibiotic spray and more effective because you’ve cleaned it. Wear gloves

Straw on top mix a game changer getting them through.

Higher than 5% can burn and let bacteria in.

 

[Anymulewilldo]

3-5% mixture in your footbath. High enough too cover the coronary band where the hoof meets the leg. Now, after pinching the idea off here (I can’t remember who from) I throw a fleece on top of the water and the sheep just walk on it no problem. Much better than before. As said before, be careful with it. I’ve had a face full of dilute. Not pleasant, ended up dunking my head in the water trough in the yard a couple of times too get rid of it. Be sensible, DON’T set your footbath up inside if you can manage it. Ours is out in the yard so as they come out of the shed they have too walk through it if we shut the right gates. Keeps the fumes out of your working area then. as with all these products, clean concrete yard afterwards for a while so it dries on.

 

[Skintagain]

Too strong will burn the feet and make them worse.

 

[Further a field]

3-5% mixture in your footbath. High enough too cover the coronary band where the hoof meets the leg. Now, after pinching the idea off here (I can’t remember who from) I throw a fleece on top of the water and the sheep just walk on it no problem. Much better than before. As said before, be careful with it. I’ve had a face full of dilute. Not pleasant, ended up dunking my head in the water trough in the yard a couple of times too get rid of it. Be sensible, DON’T set your footbath up inside if you can manage it. Ours is out in the yard so as they come out of the shed they have too walk through it if we shut the right gates. Keeps the fumes out of your working area then. as with all these products, clean concrete yard afterwards for a while so it dries on.

How long do the need to come in to contact with the stuff for...or is a walk through enough?

 

[Anymulewilldo]

How long do the need to come in to contact with the stuff for...or is a walk through enough?

Formalin is just a walk through job. I tend too walk them through twice where possible

 

[Further a field]

Formalin is just a walk through job. I tend too walk them through twice where possible

Thanks ..I have to admit it's not a job I m looking forward to doing but think it's likely to be time well spent

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Thanks ..I have to admit it's not a job I m looking forward to doing but think it's likely to be time well spent

The way ours is set up during the summer and autumn every time the ewes and lambs come in for anything. They always go out through the bath. Also means the lambs willingly run through after weaning if their mothers taught them how. I’ve found putting a roof over the bath helps too. Just a sheet of plywood tied over the top of the side gates.

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Too strong will burn the feet and make them worse.

I know of a man using it at 10% I suggested he dipped his pr*ck in it and see how he liked it before walking his sheep in it!!

 

[Estate fencing.]

I had a cold once so couldn't smell, got the barrels mix up and 95% formalin and 5% water, I only knew when the forth sheep splashed it into my face, luckily the whole lot didn't go through.