Keeping sheep healthy is not very hard. So long as it has enough suitable feed, (vacinations and worming if you're not organic farming) mineral and salt, has a chance to get out of the wind and rain (and even that isn't a requirement in warmer climates) sheep stay healthy. They will still get sick despite your best efforts from time to time and eventually you'll need outside help. Your vet may coin a cute saying something like this. There's a 4 "S" rule to sheep farming. Sick Sheep Seldom Survive, you may not see the humour in that, I know I didn't. The point is vets see too many hopeless cases far too late to for them to help. Sick sheep need prompt attention! So you have sheep that looks poorly, at least to you it does. You can't find or think of an answer so you're going to call the vet. Great, use it as a learning experience too. Most vet calls here are if I'm worried about flock health because of the sick sheep or am really stumped. It can be hard to get a vet to examine a sheep, so if you call armed with relevant information that shows first, you're on the ball and second, that he/she isn't wasting their time making that vist to your farm, you just might have better luck. Large animal vets rarely stay in the job for the money, they want to make a difference and enjoy the work. Hopefully it won't be a big problem getting a vet out although I've heard of some horror stories. (There is a phone number to Pipestone Vet Clinic that will answer sheep health Q's free of charge in the Sheep Basics post if you're really stuck) What does the vet need to hear from you up front? The breed, sex, age, status ( bred, open, with "X" month old lambs) vacination and worming history and any other meds, temperature, eating, rumination, and manure charactor, feeds and changes to feed, body score, and noted symptoms of the sheep you're calling about. Sounds like a lot but only takes a few seconds to rattle off most of the time certainly less than it took to take it's temperature. Hopefully the vet is suitably impressed (or at least curious about you) and is coming. How do you greet him/her? A nice bucket or two of warm water and a couple of towels ready wouldn't hurt, the sick beast penned in a well lit easily accessable area even better! You should have a notebook and pen ready and be dressed to help. Offer to help! Manure samples can be helpful, or anything else relevant like bloody milk etc. If the sheep has a medical history it might help to have it handy too. I try to keep a phone close too. Have a knife and rope handy, if you have shears to clip the wool have them handy too. Ask questions, you're hiring the brain too so work in lots of questions however they're related to the sick animal. If you're hearing too much latin say so and ask for clarification! Use that pen and notebook to write some of the advice down too! It's easy to forget in all the fuss but try to keep some notes going! If there is medication needed write down the instructions and ask about withdrawl times even if you're not going to ship the animal. (It's kind of an etiquete thing, just the right thing to do!) Ask about quarenteen times from the rest of the flock, and remember the sheep was part of the flock when it got sick so ask about early warning signs for the rest of the flock and preventative measures. A short reveiw of your managment in effect. That might even warrent a seperate call to discuss an improved plan!! Ask what you should expect for the sick animal and for any supportive help you can give. It's a good time to get a demonstration for tube feeding eleltrolites etc. if you've never done it before! Hopefully the sick sheep is on the road to recovery but make follow up calls if things change, even if the sheep has recovered. That's a lot to read but hopefully it helps.
Thanks for writing about this. I had to wing it the 1st time i called the vet and your info would have come in very handy. Craig
I thought I'd post as stickies a few sites or posts that will give some general information on keeping sheep. Suggestions are very welcome! How to condition score a sheep Click here Sheep breeds library Click Here Ron Parkers Sheep book online Click Here The Maryland Small Ruminant page Click here The Merck Veterinary Manual Online Click here A Canadian online veterinary medicine compendium, (read the disclaimer and click the continue button) Click here Pipestone vet sells supplies but also answers sheep health questions {INFORMATION NUMBER: [507] 825-5687 Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (CST)} Clcik Here
Here is a good one for people that like to be able to skirt their fleece for sale or their own use.. http://www.margaret-peel.com.au/skirting.htm
Plants that are Toxic to Sheep & Goats.......... Alkaloid Containing Plants: Alk "Any of a large class of organic, nitrogen-containing ring compounds that have a bitter taste, that are usually water-insoluble and alcohol-soluble, that form water-soluble salts, and usually exhibit pharmacological action, as nicotine, morphine, or quinine." Cyanogenetic Containing Plants: Cya "These plants are usually deadly when damaged or frozen." Glucosides - Glycosides Containing Plants: Gls "Any of the class of compounds that yield a sugar and a noncarbohydrate upon hydrolisis." Plants That Cause Mechanical Injury: Int "It should be obvious that some plants and shrubs have physical characteristics that would be injurious to animals - thorned plants as an example. Certainly some thorned and spiked plants may be eaten but once they reach the palate, punctures and tears can occur internally which cause a great degree of injury. Also, certain plants are known to 'twine' or 'bind' causing great intestinal difficulties." Saponin Containing Plants: "Any of a group of amorphous glucosidal compounds of steroid structure, characterized by an ability to form emulsions and to foam in aqueous solutions, and used as detergents." Volatile/Essential Oils Containing Plants: "Some plants, trees and shrubs contain volatile chemicals that go beyond 'general classification' and are thus unique. This simply means that there may be one or more ingredients within the chemical structure of a plant that causes adverse reactions in the animals who ingest it." Photosensitizing Plants: Pht "This type of plant will cause a reaction whereas the ingredients interact with light. An animal ingesting such a plant is susceptible to sunburn, heat related illnesses, etc. Not all photosensitizing are considered extremely harmful, however, dependent upon climatic conditions/light, this class of plants can do great damage if the animal is not monitored." Tannic Acid Containing Plants: "I am currently researching Tannic Acid. I am somewhat intrigued by this particular ingredient since many Oak trees contain Tannic Acid and this basically provides much conjecture with the belief that fresh, green oak leaves are soothing to sick goats. I will write more on this subject at a later date." Resin Containing Plants: "This area is also under research since it has been a common practice for many goat owners to feed their discarded Christmas trees to their goats. Apparently this is not such a good idea as while it may not produce immediate, noticeable results, it can be a cause of abortions months later." Aconite Alk Acorns Alder Buckthorn Alfalfa Allspice Alk Alsike Clover Pht Aloe Alsike CLover Amaryllis American-Laurel American Elder American Holly American Mistletoe American Yew Angel's Trumpet Anthurium Apricot Aroid Family Arrow Grass Cya Arrowhead Vine Asparagus Fern Astragalus Autumn Crocus Avocados Alk Azalea Bagpod Vol Balsam Pear Baneberry Vol Barberry Alk Belladonna Lily (Amarylis) Bird Of Paradise Bird Rape Bittersweet Black Cherry Cya Black-Eyed Susan Black Henbane Black Locust Cya Black Nightshade Alk Black Oak Black Snake Root Alk Black Walnut Cya Bleeding Heart Bloodroot Alk Blue Cardinalflower Blue Cohosh Cya Blue Flag Iris Bluebonnets Blueweed Bog-Laurel Bouncing Bet Boston Ivy Boxwood Alk Bracken Fern Brake Fern Broad Bean Broomcarn Cya Broom Snakeweed Buckeye (Horse chestnut) Cya Buckwheat Pht Bulbuous Buttercup Bur Buttercup Burke's Lupine Burning Bush Buttercups Vol Caladium Calico Bush California Bluebell California Rose-bay Canada Nettle Canada Yew Canadian Milk-vetch Candelabra-Cactus Caper Spurge Cardinalflower Castor Bean Celandine Alk Celery-leaved Buttercup Ceriman Cherry Cya Chinaberry Chinese Evergreen Chinese Lantern Choke Cherry Cya Chives Christmas Rose Chrysanthemum Clamoun Climbing Nightshade Clover Int Cocklebur Int Coffee Weed Collodium Colorado Rubberweed Common Comfrey Common Groundsel Common Hop Common Milkweed Cya Common Nightshade Common Poppy Alk Common Privet Common Tansy Common Vetch Coriaria Corn Cockle Cya Corn Poppy Cowbane Cowslip Creeping Charlie Creeping Fig Crotalaria Alk Croton Crow Poison Alk Crowfoot Crown of Thorns Cut Leaved Coneflower Cut-Leaf Philodendron Cyclamen Cypress Spurge Daffodil Daphne Death Camas Alk Delphinium (ornamental) Devil's Backbone Devil's Ivy Devil's Weed Dicentra Alk Discarded Christmas Trees Dog Hobble Dogbane Cya Dologeton Downy Brome Grass Int Drunk Cane Dumbcane Dutchman's Breeches
2nd part.. E F G H Eastern Whorled Milkweed Elderberry Cya Elephant Ears Emerald Duke English Bluebell English Holly English Ivy English Yew Entire Leaved Groundsel European Buckthorn European Elder European Spindletree Fall Crocus False Hellebore Alk False Jessamine Alk False Ragweed February Daphne Fiddleneck Field Horsetail Five Hooked Bassia Flamingo Lily Fly Honeysuckle Foxglove Friar's Cap Fume Wort Alk Garden Sorrel Garland Daphne Garlic Gas Plant Giant Dumbcane Giant Hogweed Glory Lily Goat Weed Golden-Bean Golden Chain Tree Golden Rain Golden Trumpet Grass Pea Greasewood Greater Celandine Green Dragon Green False Hellebore Green Tansy Mustard Ground Cherry Ground Ivy Groundsell Guelder Rose Hairy Vetch Heart Leaf Philodendron Hellebore Alk Helmet Flower Hemp Alk & Cya Hemp Dogbane Holly Horse Chestnut Horse Nettle Alk & Cya Horse Radish Horsetail Hound's Tongue Hyacinth Hydrangea I J K L Iceland Poppy Indian Hemp Cya Indian Mustard Indian Poke Alk Indian Turnip Indian Tobacco InkberryAlk Iris Ivy Cya Ivybush Jack-In-The-Pulpit Japanese Plum Japanese Wisteria Japanese Yew Jasmine Jerusalem Cherry Jimsonweed Alk Johnson Grass Int Johnson Grass Cya Kafir Lily>Cya Kalmia Kentucky Coffeetree Klamath Weed Kochia Laburmum Lamb's Quarters Lantana (photodynamic) Large Leaved Lupine Larkspur Alk Laurel Cya Leaf-Laurel Leafy Spurge Leatherwood Leucothoe Cya Lily of the Valley Cya Lobelia Alk Locoweed Low Larkspur Lupines Alk M N O P Maidenhair Tree Majesty Maleberry Cya Mandrake Alk Mango Marble Queen Marijuana Cya Marijuana Alk Marsh Arrow Grass Marsh Horsetail Marsh Marigold Matrimony Vine Mayapple Alk Menzies Larkspur Mescal Bean Mesquite Int Mexican Breadfruit Milkweeds Cya MiloCya Mistletoe Mock Orange Monkey Pod Monkshood Alk Moonseed Alk Morning Glory Mother In Law Plant Motherwort Mountain Laurel Multi-flora Rose Int Mushrooms Musk Thistles Int Naked-flowered Sneezeweed Nap At Noon Narcissus Neothytis Night shade Alk Nightshade Cya Northern Water Hemlock Nutmeg Nux Vomica Oaks Oats Ohio Buckeye Oleander Cya Onion Opium Poppy Oriental Poppy Ornamental Hypericums Pht Osage Orange Pawpaw Peaches Cya Penciltree Periwinkle Peruvian Lily Petty Spurge Peyote Philodendron Pigweed Pin Cherry Pink Death Camas Alk Pink Lady's Slipper Plums Cya Poinsettia Poison Darnel Alk Poison Hemlock Alk Poison Ivy Poison Laurel Poison Suckleya Poison Sumac Poison rye grass Alk Poke Alk Pokeberry Alk Pokeweed Alk Ponderosa Pine Pot and Spider Mum Potato Pothos Poverty Grass Int Precatory Pea Prickly Comfrey Prickly Lettuce Primula Prostrate Pigweed Privet Purple Cockle Purple Locoweed Purple Sesban Q R S T Quaker-Bonnets Radish Rain Tree Rape Pht Rapeseed Rattlebox Rattleweed Alk Red Chokecherry Red Clover Red Maple Red Oak Redroot Pigweed Red Princess Reed Canarygrass Richweed Rhododendron Cya Rhubarb Rock Poppy Alk Rosary Pea Russian Knapweed Saddle Leaf Sand Burr Int Saskatoon Scarlet Pimpernel Scotch Broom Seaside Arrow Grass Sensitive Fern Sevenbark Cya Sheep Laurel Sheep Sorrel Show Lady's Slipper Showy Milkweed Siberian Scilla Silky Lupine Silver Cya Silvery Lupine Skunk Cabbage Small-Laurel Smooth Pigweed Snakeberry Sneezeweed Sneezewood Sorghum Cya Snowdrop Soapberry Soapwort Soldier's Cap Sorghum Cya Sour Dock Southern Mountain Laurel Spider Lily Spatulate Leaved Heliotrope Spotted Cowbane Alk Spindletree Spinach Split Leaf Spoonhunt Spoonwood Spotted Dumbcane Spotted Water Hemlock Alk Sprangeri Fern Spreading Dogbane Spurge Spurge Laurel Squirrel Corn Squirrel Tail Grass Int St. John's Wort Pht Stagger brush Cya Stagger grass Alk Staggerweed Alk Star of Bethlehem Stinging Nettle Stinking Rabbitbrush Stinkweed Stoned Fruits Cya Sudan Grass Cya Sunburned Potatoes Sun Spurge Sunflower Sweet Pea Sweet Shrub Alk Swiss Cheese Plant Tall Larkspur Tall Manna Grass Tansy Tansy Ragwort Taro Tartarian Honeysuckle Thin Leaved Snowberry Thorn Apple Alk Timber Milk Vetch Tobacco Tomato Vine Tree of Heaven Tri-Leaf Wonder Trillium Tulip Two Grooved Milk Vetch U V W X Umbrella Plant Varebells Alk Veined Dock Velvet grass Cya Velvety Goldenrod Virginia Creeper Water Hemlock Alk Weeping Fig Western Bleedingheart Western Minniebush Western Poison Oak Western Water Hemlock Western Yew White Baneberry White Camas White Cohish White Clover White Hellebore White Rose Bay White Sanicle White Snakeroot Cya Wild Black Cherry Cya Wild Cabbage Wild Calla Wild CherriesCya Wild False Indigo Wild Ginger Wild Hydrangea Cya Wild Indigo Wild Mustard Wild Onion Wild Parsnip Alk Wild Radish Wisteria Wolfs-bane Alk Wormseed Mustard Wood-Laurel No Listings Y Z Yellow Iris Yellow Jessamine Alk Yellow Lady's Slipper Yellow Rocket Yellow Sage Yellow Star Thistle Yellow Sweet Clover Yellow Toadflax Yew (ornamental) No Listings
ALL THE BOOKS READ AND YOUR LIST SAYS MILKWEED CAN CAUSE SUDDEN INSTANT DEATH TO SHEEP. When I move my flock of 26 to a new pasture the first thing they do is eat the leaves off the milkweed plants!! Since then I have been picking and destroying all I can but it is a loosing battle. Why don't they get sick? Why do they eat it if the pasture is lush with legumes, treefoil, clover orchard grass etc. Any ideas?
I guess my little guy is pretty toxic. He ate his fill in poison ivy this spring then he ate my english ivy and bamboo and... in fact his least favorite is the grass in his yard. I will ask him to stop eating these toxic things, but I hold out little hope for that. My guy is a pet and our yard contains half of the plants on your list...
Geez, is there anything they can eat? I can't identify and pick all those out but the only thing I was worried about which I don't think I saw was any of my pine trees or whatever trees have needles on them. Right? They weren't on the list? I hope.
My sheep don't eat much if any ever green needles and I know my SIL made spruce beer once from the spruce tips. Was pretty good too. The toxic plant list is pretty general, some of that stuff is only toxic under some conditions and some is pretty mild, causing no reaction normally.
More good information sites http://www.sheep101.info/ http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/ (Also has other livestock)
Doing my part to keep the thread current so it isn't pruned. Purdue has some good information: http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/ An online sheep economic form to help you determine potential income of various options: http://bighorn.animal.uiuc.edu/cgi-bin/sheepeco.py
