Hi Onalee, I have had no problem getting my sheep to accept the Basic-H solution (except when there are suds on the surface!). However they have been ingesting a much smaller quantity of it during the summer since I use it in the tanks to prevent mosquito larvae, so they may be used to it.
However, I am reading a very interesting book called Management Intensive Grazing by Jim Gerrish (Available through Stockman Grass Farmer Magazine, and yes, I'm turning into a grazing geek) and I have learned a couple of very interesting facts. Sheep are much more particular about their water quality than are cattle. That may mean that some sheep will be harder to convince to drink it. However, if they don't, you're not out any money, as Basic H is a fantastic cleaner and the unused "wormer" can be used for any number of other needs. Sheep have a 50 to 70% lower requirement for water than cattle! So in times of high moisture on the grass, they may not visit the water tank but every few days! That would make consumption less of a certainty than in a cattle operation or at certain times of the year. I was a bit frustrated watching the tank level as it didn't go down very fast, but I don't think the problem was acceptability, but more the high level of moisture on the grass. I left the water out for at least a week, but I still don't know if the longer term, lower quantity consumption would have been as effective as in drier weather. I have a friend who says her horses wouldn't touch the treated water. I don't know what concentration of Basic H she used. My horses were willing to drink it. Some horses are notorious for only accepting one source of water once they're used to it and will dehydrate themselves when they're taken to events unless their home water comes with them. That problem is usually overcome by gradually introducing a flavoring agent such as cider vinegar to the water (a healthful practice anyway). The last consideration is of course the temperature of the water at this time of year. Water consumption tends to go down anyway when it's cold so consumption may not be as uniform in the winter. All those things would probably affect the efficacy of Basic H as a wormer. Even though I didn't get high consumption during the week I offered it, apparently I still got good results, and decent acceptance. Warmer weather and drier conditions would probably enhance the effect. It's too bad the wetter weather is when we actually need the most bang for our buck! Another interesting thing I've learned about the haemonchus life cycle is that the worms get a signal beginning in about August to start going into that sort of hibernation state in the gut, where they'll overwinter. The ewes signal them to wake up when parturition is near, so unfortunately the little buggers are shedding eggs like mad about the time the lambs hit the ground. The ewes are also less resistant to the worm infections shortly before and shortly after birth. So if we can clean the ewes out before the worms start going dormant in the gut, we've got a lot better chance of lowering the worm load when the lambs arrive. One other thing I read about the wisdom of rotating pastures for parasite control. Most of us think of it as letting the worms and eggs die out between grazing cycles - not so - some eggs can survive for a year until conditions are right. The trick is taking the animals off the paddock before the grass is grazed too short. Most parasites can't make it any higher up the grass stems than 2", so if your sheep are grazing that deep into the grass canopy, they are in the parasite zone. Taking the animals off the grass when it is still 4" tall is not only good for the grass, but keeps them grazing above the parasite zone. Help! I'm talking and I can't shut up! :o))) Barb =============================================== This message is from the Blackbelly Sheep mailing list (http://www.awrittenword.com/listserv/index.html). To respond to this message, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe or change your membership options, go to http://lists.coyotenet.net/mailman/listinfo/blackbelly To search the archives, go to http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
