Sheep Rx: Barber pole Worm (Haemonchus Contortus)
We did our periodic check this week in the flock for barber pole worm. In our area of south central Pennsylvania this parasite is devastating. A few years back we learned about it the hard way. While on a regular deworming regimen we lost a ewe to extreme blood loss. Our neighbors lost 6 goats [...]
The Corriedale Sheep
I have written a number of articles here on Self Reliance Works about sheep, so today I am going to share about my favorite breed, the Corriedale.
Keeping Sheep: Basic Terminology
If you are new to the world of sheep here is the perfect primer to help you understand the language of the sheep and wool business.
Keeping Sheep: Culling
When lambs reach about 5-6 months of age it is time to make some decisions as to who to keep and who to cull. The easiest to choose are the ram lambs. Unless you plan to sell them as breeders or are raising a new sire for the flock, off to auction or the butcher [...]
Sheep Rx: Chlamydia
Chlamydia in sheep is caused by a bacterial infection with the potential to devastate the whole flock. The strain of bacteria involved will determine the effect on the health of the sheep, ranging from an asymptomatic carrier who is otherwise healthy to wide-spread abortion, impacting an entire season of lambing.
Keeping Sheep: Shelters
What kind of shelter is necessary for a sheep? The options run the gamut from open-range grazing with no shelter, to pampered sheep in deeply bedded stalls. Which is better? It is always best, and in some states a legal requirement, to provide some protection from the sun, rain and winter winds. But it does [...]
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