What caused this?

[CaliMo]

I think it's parasites an maybe too much rain. We had a really wet winter.

 

[Abenr]

Everything will be all right

 

[wrenbird]

Mycotic Dermatitis? AKA Lumpy Wool. A wet winter would be a contributory factor in its appearance.

 

[VMD100]

Could be parasitic or rain scald, as you said a heavy wet winter could cause this.
If it is then just removing matted/crusty areas and keeping them dry should clear it up but it would do no harm if you were planning to treat with parasite control to do it anyway and be doubly safe

 

[CaliMo]

I treated for parasites a couple of weeks ago and it seems to have stopped the shedding/breaking of the wool, and the sun finally came out which is nice. The skin looks fine underneath, not crusty and the wool isn't matted, it just started breaking off. We haven't had such a lot of rain in a few years and I had to keep the ewes in a smaller pasture for longer than usual, so I figured it was just too heavy of a parasite load, but I'd really rather it didn't happen every year. Kind of ruins the wool.

Everything will be all right

Is this common in Florida?

 

[Abenr]

I treated for parasites a couple of weeks ago and it seems to have stopped the shedding/breaking of the wool, and the sun finally came out which is nice. The skin looks fine underneath, not crusty and the wool isn't matted, it just started breaking off. We haven't had such a lot of rain in a few years and I had to keep the ewes in a smaller pasture for longer than usual, so I figured it was just too heavy of a parasite load, but I'd really rather it didn't happen every year. Kind of ruins the wool.

Is this common in Florida?

yes

 

[yellowbelly]

Kind of ruins the wool.

Sheep looks happy enough - I wouldn't worry too much about it, assuming wool (and especially black wool) is worth a little in the States as it is in the UK

Off topic, but nice to see some more members from the USA ( @CaliMo & @Abenr ) enjoying the 'worlds premier farming forum'

 

[Highland Mule]

Could be just a break in the wool caused by a previous illness, perhaps latent. When it starts growing again the gap can mean it falls out without shearing.

Have had it when a ewe has had a traumatic lambing or similar and has been given a lot of ABs to help her along. Saves on shearing costs.

 

[ramewe]

Ewes with mastitis sometimes lose wool. Sometimes takes a few months to start coming off. The skin never looks red like anything is chewing on it.

 

[BigOlHorseRider]

cute sheep xo

 

[CaliMo]

assuming wool (and especially black wool) is worth a little in the States as it is in the UK

Yes, wool is worth very little, but a nice colored handspinning fleece will sometimes make a buck or two. Not one that is all broken though.

Could be just a break in the wool caused by a previous illness, perhaps latent. When it starts growing again the gap can mean it falls out without shearing.

Have had it when a ewe has had a traumatic lambing or similar and has been given a lot of ABs to help her along. Saves on shearing costs.

Don't think it's this since really a lot of the ewes have it and while the lambing time was a bit traumatic for me (terrible weather, not enough shelter etc) the ewes mostly did fine. It seems like it was probably parasites. I will be more vigilant! Thanks everyone.

If it is parasites, would I be correct in concluding that the ewes that have good looking wool are more parasite resistant?

 

[RushesToo]

Yes, wool is worth very little, but a nice colored handspinning fleece will sometimes make a buck or two. Not one that is all broken though.


Don't think it's this since really a lot of the ewes have it and while the lambing time was a bit traumatic for me (terrible weather, not enough shelter etc) the ewes mostly did fine. It seems like it was probably parasites. I will be more vigilant! Thanks everyone.

If it is parasites, would I be correct in concluding that the ewes that have good looking wool are more parasite resistant?

@CaliMo Here we get a vet in to diagnose if it is a parasite. If it is then the sheep suffering the worst would be removed from the flock because you don't want those genes and the rest treated. After that it is being vigilant - get better genetics, stop cross infection and cull hard.

 

[CaliMo]

stop cross infection and cull hard.

By stop cross infection do you mean re-infestation from a dirty pasture or from other sheep? And "cull hard" ooh, that's the worst part. I'm so bad at at it. I read somewhere on here that sentimentality is a huge problem in farming and I guess I am certainly part of that problem. I don't keep sheep that are a problem (impossible to handle, not good mothers, crappy wool, get sick a lot) but I am not good at culling the old ones (as long as they are doing well) and I do not have a keen eye for the economics. There aren't a lot of sheep keepers around me so it's hard to get a hands on education.

 

[RushesToo]

When you have found out what it is then you will know what needs to happen to stop future infection
If it helps - the old ones probably have good genes so may not need culling, its the problem ones that you don't want to get old and leave more of their offspring and problems around.