Feeding routine

[secuono]

What do you mean plain mix? I see some mix salt but if there an exact mixture/way to do this?

I saw this https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/sheep-trace-mineral-premix

And feeds 10 sheep for a year?! Sounds very affordable. What type of salt do you mix,?
And it recommends such a small amount to give daily vs leaving it out and not knowing how much is consumed.... Can't sheep overdue it on salt?

For now I got the blueprint mix which I don't think I need to mix with salt?!!

Plain loose salt with a premix of minerals. Livestock salt, TSC & other farm stores sell it. But read the bag, employees aren't bright & will potentially show you a premix instead.
I used to use their premix, but it doesn't have everything. So, switched to kalmbach.

2:1 Sheep Mineral With ZinPro® - Kalmbach Feeds

A mineral formulated to be fed free-choice to all classes of sheep.

www.kalmbachfeeds.com

Looks like they changed it. Premier1 used to be 1# of premix with 50# of salt. But now it's mix whole bag with only 50#.

 

[Baymule]

Look up livestock auctions for your area. See which ones have sheep/ goat auctions and go to a couple. If you can’t even give away the ram, then anything you get for will be better than nothing and you will have peace on the farm once again.

Auctions post their market reports, so you can see the range of prices.

 

[Ridgetop]

And getting rid of this ram. Offering him free in local radio and craigslist. Honestly never been to sale or auction yet so don't even know how that goes. Could definitely inquire. But a ram with an eye issue will that even sell?! As far as freezer I could but I wouldnt eat the meat. I just can't believe even free he won't go!

Look up livestock auctions for your area. See which ones have sheep/ goat auctions and go to a couple. If you can’t even give away the ram, then anything you get for will be better than nothing and you will have peace on the farm once again.

Anything will sell at auction. The only thing would be the price. Since you are willing to give him away just find an auction yard and take hm in. You mentioned a couple of wethers as well. Unless they are specifically pets or are going into your freezer, I recommend you take them to the auction too. Feeding over the winter is expensive and feed costs are going up because of weather affecting the harvest. Diesel fuel has shot up and this will impact the costs of hay, grain, and sack feed. All these rely on diesel to produce and get to market.

Auctions charge "yardage" for each day that the animal is there so take him in the day of the auction or, if too far away, the day before. "Yardage" is usually anywhere from $1.00 per head to $2.00 per head daily. My auction charges $1.00. They also charge a % of the sale price. If the ram brings a low price, their % will be low. You don't have to be present for the auction. They will mail you your check. If you have a bottom price, you are willing to accept on the animal you can put a reserve price on it or stay and buy it back. If the reserve is not bid, then you have to take the animal home. See @farmerjan's posts about auctions.

@farmerjan is an experienced cattle rancher. She buys and sells cattle at certain cattle auctions. She knows what she is looking for and what she is getting. Then she isolates them, vaccinates them, castrates any bull calves, and treats for anything they might have before putting them with her own herds. She knows her stuff and has the equipment to handle her cattle.

Most local auctions have a mix of healthy and cull animals being offered. The sheep I take to the auction are weaned ram lambs and cull sheep. The local auctions are where a lot of people bring their culls or sick animals. I don't buy there.

Show sales are a different matter. I do buy breeding animals there. They have health certificates, registration papers, have been graded by a judge, and are offered by specific breeders, most of whom I know at least by reputation. Other than a couple breeding animals that I might buy during the year, my flock is closed. Once an animal is off my property and out of my control, I won't bring it back on. Breeding animals that I buy from reputable breeders with health certificates are isolated for several weeks before introducing them to my flock.

Definitely find an auction and get rid of the ram asap. Also any other problem animals should go. Once you have trimmed feet and out a little meat on those ewes, decide which ones are usable for your flock and sell the others. Ewes that are too flighty are considered culls in my flock no matter how good their bloodlines, conformation, or lambs produced. We don't have the time or desire to deal with animals whose behavior can be dangerous to us or fencing.

 

[jambi1214]

Finally got someone to take the ram (free) less headaches but not going to lie a little tough for me. But I got to get tougher!!! Ewes have all been eating well and finally seems they are somewhat caught up on minerals as they are not devouring it. Found some alfalfa hay but $14 a square bale and it's all stems! But some are eating it and mixing some Bermuda in to try! And get them to eat some. Routine feels a bit better and I know with the ram going I can finally move my other ram out and enjoy my ewes!

One of the 2 poor condition ewes feet stink! She was crawling on knees the other day. I feel terrible. I think I may be able to handle her ( or get her at least) to trim some. It's like most of the foot needs to be trimmed and worry there may not be much to leave! . Really need a foot bath system but being so flighty they are scared of everything!!!

 

[Baymule]

I’m happy for you that the ram is gone. Peaceful now! If one of your ewes has stinky feet, it may be hood rot and it’s serious. I haven’t had to deal with that, so can’t offer any advice other than get on it right away. There is a shot you can get from the vet, check into that.

 

[jambi1214]

I’m happy for you that the ram is gone. Peaceful now! If one of your ewes has stinky feet, it may be hood rot and it’s serious. I haven’t had to deal with that, so can’t offer any advice other than get on it right away. There is a shot you can get from the vet, check into that.

Been trying to treat for 5 months! Vet checked and said bleach spray but it's tough!

 

[Baymule]

And the more you try to treat her, the more scared of you she gets. Vicious circle. Ask the vet about the shot.

If I remember correctly, @Mike CHS had a battle with hood rot and the vet recommended a shot. The hood rot cleared right up.

 

[jambi1214]

It really is. I feel so bad for her and am finally!!!! Ready to put the 2 ewes with other ewes but worry about her feet and getting us to something new (other ewes we're slightly bullying new girls) so don't want her getting injured. @Mike CHS please let me know what this shot is and I will get on it!!!

 

[Mike CHS]

It really is. I feel so bad for her and am finally!!!! Ready to put the 2 ewes with other ewes but worry about her feet and getting us to something new (other ewes we're slightly bullying new girls) so don't want her getting injured. @Mike CHS please let me know what this shot is and I will get on it!!!

That was Nuflor and we got it at CO-OP. It isn't cheap but it did the job and I'm not sure if that is one of the meds that won't be over the counter next year when all of the new regs go into affect.

We haven't needed any since then but our vet is one of the old fashioned kind that knows us and our operation so we kind buy what we need by the syringe if needed and the med isn't available over the counter.

 

[jambi1214]

I have nuflor and honestly I'm pretty sure I tried it. The problem just hasn't resolved and I inadvertently 'neglected' to follow up as she wouldnt let me near. She was doing better and it came back again. It's like the side of foot curls up under and seals it to a degree but it's rotten inside. Hard to explain.