Scratching ewes for orf

[cjss]

When should you scratch pregnant ewes for orf before lambing?

 

[andybk]

if they have been done before, about 6 weeks , this will allow any reactions scabs to fall off before lambing and preferably before housing

 

[cjss]

Thanks Andy, not sure if all ewes have been done before, would you still scratch the lambs at birth aswell?

 

[andybk]

would make sure ewes are covered well before , try and leave lambs till weaning to avoid reaction on udders , plenty of salt blocks out with lambs will keep problems down

 

[Beef farmer]

And if you had lambs with bad Orf now, what would be the best fix?

 

[cjss]

Im having problems with the lambs catching orf from there mothers bags, and spreading it to the other lambs. And then the ewes are getting mastitis

 

[Beef farmer]

We buy a lot of lambs in, the lambs from the north are very good, but my preferred lambs from the east suffer terrible Orf now and for the next month or so.

 

[andybk]

And if you had lambs with bad Orf now, what would be the best fix?

simple salt blocks and water to drink , unless you want to mess with orfoide capsules

Im having problems with the lambs catching orf from there mothers bags, and spreading it to the other lambs. And then the ewes are getting mastitis

are you vaccinating lambs early ie where does infection come from ?

 

[cjss]

Ive been sratching lambs at birth, never done the ewes before. Ive assumed the ewes have been carrying it on there bags

 

[andybk]

Ive been sratching lambs at birth, never done the ewes before. Ive assumed the ewes have been carrying it on there bags

you need to give ewes a booster 4 weeks pre lambing , then leave lambs till later when a sore bag wont mean a dead lamb , keep salt blocks out with young lambs

 

[cjss]

So i should give all ewes a scratch, 4 weeks before lambing?. Not sure of all the ewes history

 

[andybk]

yes , be better 6 - 8 weeks before really if you dont know the history , and outside so scabs arnt in the barn

 

[neilo]

We buy a lot of lambs in, the lambs from the north are very good, but my preferred lambs from the east suffer terrible Orf now and for the next month or so.

Denis Brinicombe buckets. Mostly rock salt I suspect, but seem to work much better for me.

 

[neilo]

Ive been sratching lambs at birth, never done the ewes before. Ive assumed the ewes have been carrying it on there bags

I scratch the December lambing ewes about now (thanks for the reminder) and never do lambs. If you can keep it off the ewe's bags, a little orf on the lambs will soon clear up with rock salt or DB buckets and they will have developed a long lasting, natural immunity without getting much of a check. I scratch the ewes on the side of the tail, to save turning them up and to keep any (possibly) infected bits away from suckling lambs.

 

[JD-Kid]

mate told me they do there ears
we only do lambs here have never realy noticed it on ewes but saying that never realy looked

 

[Northumberland]

Is homeopathic drench a option?