Zinc sulphate footbath

[JohnGalway]

I have 3 persistent lame ewes, they're destined for road but I want to get them right first. Can they be stood in a zinc footbath solution too often? Will it damage the hoof if so? I did them yesterday, first time using footbath as I'm trying to get away from antibiotic spray.

 

[gtigriff]

No I don’t believe it can be overdone, certainly not like Formalin perhaps, zinc more of a healing agent I would say as well as being antibacterial. Get on pretty well with it here for scald/footrot. Not effective on COD tho….

 

[ladycrofter]

It's very mild but does work. Similar compound to athlete foot type stuff.

 

[andybk]

yes no problem but be warned that it will harden the hoof and may seal in some infection so sheep continues to limp often worse than before .

 

[Jonp]

yes no problem but be warned that it will harden the hoof and may seal in some infection so sheep continues to limp often worse than before .

I've used golden hoof for years, well last time was over 4 years ago when I had my last footrot episode, don't think it hardens the hoof (like formalin). Cleared my whole, closed, flock with it. Never experienced sealed in infection, quite the reverse.

 

[andybk]

I've used golden hoof for years, well last time was over 4 years ago when I had my last footrot episode, don't think it hardens the hoof (like formalin). Cleared my whole, closed, flock with it. Never experienced sealed in infection, quite the reverse.

my ewes run out through a weak solution of golden hoof everyday to feed nuts in troughs,, while in shed ,works well , and keeps them right for post lambing , it will harden hoof , not as bad as formalin,though

 

[Jonp]

my ewes run out through a weak solution of golden hoof everyday to feed nuts in troughs,, while in shed ,works well , and keeps them right for post lambing , it will harden hoof , not as bad as formalin,though

Fair enough, never tried running them through daily, glad it works for you

 

[Pan mixer]

We have used a small pair of outgrown kids wellies to really soak the bad hoof, you have to hold them on but it was easier than getting them to stand, bad foot down in the bath. Seemed to work.

 

[JohnGalway]

We have used a small pair of outgrown kids wellies to really soak the bad hoof, you have to hold them on but it was easier than getting them to stand, bad foot down in the bath. Seemed to work.

I've two plastic footbath trays, I use 4 five foot hurdles for sides with stockboard cable tied to the side to keep the solution off the hurdles. I have a friend welding me up a back and front gate. Works well so far. I mix the solution with a battery paddle mixer.

 

[Jonp]

If you really want to go pro, the cut off bottom of an IBC works with pallets round it. I use it first thing when I buy in a new ram as part of his quarantine.

 

[Bury the Trash]

waste of time using zinc sulphate in walk through situation.

needs standing time 10 mins or so when combined with a wetting pre foot bath with just water in with a bit of fairy liquid to aid wetting
and after they ideally need time to dry stood on concrete

not the weve done any footbathing for yrs come to think of it.

 

[JohnGalway]

waste of time using zinc sulphate in walk through situation.

needs standing time 10 mins or so when combined with a wetting pre foot bath with just water in with a bit of fairy liquid to aid wetting
and after they ideally need time to dry stood on concrete

not the weve done any footbathing for yrs come to think of it.

Had mine in for 30 mins, then they promptly escaped out of the shed even though I'd planned for them to stand inside for an hour afterwards.

Always the ungrateful barstewards.....