Hampshire Down Sheep

[IPS]

HI,
We are on a school farm and have a small flock of Hampshire Down Sheep, we are getting regular issues with their feet. A few of them appear to have had the outer wall of the hoof separate from the inner causing lameness. We are looking at using a Formalin footbath and then some time on hard standing. Any other ideas on how we can deal with the problem?
Thanks in advance

 

[SteveHants]

It's hard to accurately diagnose without seeing the feet and I'm not sure of the wisdom of putting photos of diseased animals on the internet these days.

That said, if you don't mind the risk, I'd stick some up, plenty on here have lots of experience.

 

[andybk]

are they actually lame or has just the hoof separated leaving pockets ? often through winter sheep get white line disease , which isnt actually a disease more like a mineral imbalance that affects the joint between hoof wall and foot ,we tend to get a few through winter i think wet conditions dont help , i have been told zinc minerals help , though jury is still out

 

[Agrivator]

Formalin will only cause more problems. Get a bag of Zinc Sulphate, mix at the recommended concentration, and if you don't have a suitable stand-in footbath, half fill a welly (ideally one that doesn't leak) and stand the affected foot in it for up to an hour.
Otherwise, you might need veterinary advice to ascertain the cause and to treat with an effective antibiotic.

But don't forget to remove the welly before you turn them back out, otherwise, you''ll be the talk of the neighborhood.

 

[Longlowdog]

I doubt formalin will be your answer after the staff do a proper risk assessment. It is carcinogenic and mutagenic. Although I've not bought it I have seen Kling-on Blue used and it reportedly did its job though it was a hassle to mix.

 

[An ancient git]

Late wife had Hamps ..... I culled the lot over 2 years ..... Bastewards were difficult to deal with and knocked me about ! (had 30odd here) . Feet were 'black' and ok though . Best thing I ever did was to get shut of them .... Switched to Lleyn type ewes ..... Most of them , I can scratch their heads when walking past in housing !! I don't like the rangey modern Hamp with the NZ influence . But best ram I ever had was a true Old English type , onto NCMules , years ago .... Not big finished lambs , but hell , did we make some money ....

 

[Coximus]

Ive had a few hampshires in the flock and alot of them had as you describe - when on acid heavy clay type soils - I put it down to the soil type and environment and it was one of the reasons I didnt keep them after trying as half my land didnt suit em. On lighter and more neutral / alkaline soils they were fine.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

We’ve got 30 odd Hampshires here and only ever get scald occasionally and, if we over feed them, laminitis.

I know! Seems daft, but that’s what it is.

 

[John Chance]

Bad feet are a big welfare issue for sheep. If you are having difficulty diagnosing the type of bad feet that they have, ask a vet to look at them.

 

[Longlowdog]

My Oxfords on our Aberdeenshire soil at ph5.5 seldom had issues with their feet. My main problem with them was fighting the devils for their jackets come shearing time. They were also the only breed of sheep I've seen that could hold a grudge. A friend once tipped one of my tups on his bum for some reason then let him go. The tup slowly walked away 20 yards, turned, walked back to within 5 yards, accelerated faster than a vegan faced with science and launched himself to chest high and bowled my friend over and then casually walked away again without looking back.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Those Oxfords do look grumpy.

I’ve been asked occasionally if we have Oxfords and I reply “no, they are the Oxfords cousins, similar looking, but a lot more cheery!”

 

[IPS]

It's hard to accurately diagnose without seeing the feet and I'm not sure of the wisdom of putting photos of diseased animals on the internet these days.

That said, if you don't mind the risk, I'd stick some up, plenty on here have lots of experience.

Thanks Steve

 

[clod hopper]

My Oxfords on our Aberdeenshire soil at ph5.5 seldom had issues with their feet. My main problem with them was fighting the devils for their jackets come shearing time. They were also the only breed of sheep I've seen that could hold a grudge. A friend once tipped one of my tups on his bum for some reason then let him go. The tup slowly walked away 20 yards, turned, walked back to within 5 yards, accelerated faster than a vegan faced with science and launched himself to chest high and bowled my friend over and then casually walked away again without looking back.

Wow! Never had one like that! Mine are determined not agresive. My stock ram, at 150+kgs I pick my battles with him he stops for no body!!! Nothing nasty just powerful I like to see it to be honest a sign of vigour!!!

 

[Cab-over Pete]

He gives our big lad Geoff a run for his money. 147kgs at his last weigh in. Daft as a brush and if he doesn’t get a tickle he blarts until you go back. I’m going to miss him one day.

 

[M-J-G]

We have 20 or so Hampshire ewes and 2 of our rams are Hampshire too, feet are generally good, but the ewes are pretty crazy, I put it down to spending half the year unable to see what's going on.
Well have 40 or so Hampshire X ewes that are a lot better (they can also see better)

They are a good terminal sire and tick a lot of boxes, they don't make the most terrible ewe in the world, but others do the job better, the breed is better being used from the sire's side of lamb production IMO

 

[clod hopper]

He gives our big lad Geoff a run for his money. 147kgs at his last weigh in. Daft as a brush and if he doesn’t get a tickle he blarts until you go back. I’m going to miss him one day.

Yes a big boy all rite, he does look like a big softy!!
Sorry I shouldn't have put a picture of a Oxford on this thread.

 

[Paul E]

He gives our big lad Geoff a run for his money. 147kgs at his last weigh in. Daft as a brush and if he doesn’t get a tickle he blarts until you go back. I’m going to miss him one day.

Have you got a saddle for him??

 

[Cab-over Pete]

No. A plough.