[Blackbelly] Vitamin B defficiency
We had an issue with Vit B deficiency this winter with our ABB as we were finishing them on grain and they were not eating enough forage. This was a double edged sword as this year we had a drought, and so we were using grain to cut down on hay consumption to save hay. (There just wasn't any to buy, never mind the exorbitant prices!, and grain was cheap.) Anyhow, we lost a couple of lambs, and they die really fast, so we were not possitive what it was that was killing them. All were our largest and healthiest wethers. We first thought pulpy kidney, and vaccinated for that, then were good for about 2 weeks. Then our young guardian dog mauled one and we second guessed that that was the problem, but then caught another wether that was down and rushed him to the vet. A shot of Vit B and within 12 hours he was good again, so everyone got a shot. Now, we add vit B to their grain (though I have read that oral consumption is not as good, but seems to be working). Problem is that it is such a tiny amount to add! (about an 1/8 of a teaspoon for 20 bushels of rolled grain). Very tricky to administer. You can get it added to a custom mineral mix, but they will usually only mix a mini bulk bag at a time. WAY too much for us! Anyhow, moral of the story, lesson learned and really, our finishing time was not faster, so I am thinking ABB do not need rich food except when it is -40 out! hay should suffice. Hopefully we have some rain this year so that we can get some hay. Carla __ Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! http://www.flickr.com/gift/ ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[Blackbelly] First lambs from my first bottle-ewes
The first of three yearling bottle-ewes who had lambs just this morning. http://web.me.com/mwsmith100/spring_2010/Pebbles.html I was lucky enough to stick my head in before work, and see them, so I took a bit of extra time and clipped their cords, disinfected the cords and basically checked them out. Since I always call those three ewes in at night and lock them up, they were already locked up when I came out this morning, safe with the lambs and all. The other two are now in the paddock next door, to give this momma some time to bond, and for them to lamb in a safe place, if they do so in the next week or so. They were all bred at the same time by Verne, my second in command, but with the most striking markings of my three breeder rams. -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] First lambs from my first bottle-ewes
Congratulations! Nancy - Original Message - From: Michael Smith mwsmotorspo...@gmail.com To: blackbelly blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 22:37 Subject: [Blackbelly] First lambs from my first bottle-ewes The first of three yearling bottle-ewes who had lambs just this morning. http://web.me.com/mwsmith100/spring_2010/Pebbles.html I was lucky enough to stick my head in before work, and see them, so I took a bit of extra time and clipped their cords, disinfected the cords and basically checked them out. Since I always call those three ewes in at night and lock them up, they were already locked up when I came out this morning, safe with the lambs and all. The other two are now in the paddock next door, to give this momma some time to bond, and for them to lamb in a safe place, if they do so in the next week or so. They were all bred at the same time by Verne, my second in command, but with the most striking markings of my three breeder rams. -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
