Re: [Blackbelly] Blackbelly Sheep Breeder in NC Triad Area
Hi Sidney, You can go to the BBSAI website at www.blackbellysheep.org, then go to the Breeder Directory. Breeders are listed by state. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Sydney Seymour" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 3:25:49 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] Blackbelly Sheep Breeder in NC Triad Area Hi All, I live in Mocksville, NC. I am interested in finding a blackbelly sheep breeder in NC close to Mocksville / Winston-Salem. Does anyone know a breeder in this area? Thanks,Sydney S. ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Have Pet ABB Weather - Can we trim horns?
Using Bolt cutters is a very good idea. I have horned Icelandics as well as ABs. Just don't cut off a couple inches at one time. You want to take about 1/2 inch off at a time. Trying to file or saw is very tedious and time consuming. It would be much better to use bolt cutters. You won't get his eyes, the bolt cutters have the blade contained on the inside not the outside. Have someone that he trusts hold him for you. Let me know if you need any help. Have a stiptik handy, but if you only do a little at a time, you should be fine with the bleeding. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: atwoo...@aol.com To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 11:16:51 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] Have Pet ABB Weather - Can we trim horns? I searched the archives but didn't find an answer to whether you can trim the horns back a bit. Who knows the inner physiology of the ABB's horn? We have pasture pet working wethers, not show or breeding rams so it is important to keep and fix one of our Boyz whose horns are growing dangerously close to the eyes. Any info from experience or references where I can get this info? Thanks for your help, The Atwoods Placerville, CA ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Prolapse
I'll throw my two cents in. I listen to my friends, but my bottom line, is my vet. Of course, I trust my vet implicitly. She has not been wrong on anything my animals have ever had wrong, which, gladly has not been alot, but I have had weird stuff happen on my farm. The other nice thing is that she does not overcharge, she will talk to me on the phone or email anytime with no charge. If there is something happening that she does't fully understand, or if there are weird symptoms, she will research it, she will even call vets at the universities she knows to consult. She is in it for the animals. If I thought something were wrong, I call her. She diagnosed one of my ewes with pregnancy toxemia over the phone, just by hearing the symptoms and saved my ewe by doing a c-section. Believe me, I don't have the money to pay for the vet to come out all the time, but, I go with my gut, if I'm worried, I call the vet. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Elizabeth Radi" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 9:01:31 AM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Prolapse Natasha, Glad things are going ok. I have sodium bicarbonate(baking soda) for years to my goats, since 1997. You can get it at the feed store, livestock grade sodium bicarbonate. I also put it out free choice for the Katahdins, since they are ruminants. If I were you, I would not feed molasses. May throw the rumen off. They don't need it. Liz Radi Nubian goats and Katahdin Hair Sheep Nunn, Colorado 970-716-7218 idaralpaca.blogspot.com --- meadowskuv...@gmail.com wrote: From: "R. Natasha Baronas" To: "blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info" Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Prolapse Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:40:05 -0700 Today my sheep friend came by again to take a look at my girls, hear my concerns, and allay my fears. Here's the poop: The Katahdin sheep are not ready to go yet by looking at their udders - they have a way to go. The ewe who is prolapsing mildly appears to have multiples by their estimation. I thought she meant twins...no, triplets. She does see this with her ewes who have triplets. I need to keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get worse, make sure she walks around a bit more. She developed a lump on her udder - it felt like a testicle of all things. Her udder is not hot, it may be a gland? She wasn't worried about it. They noticed that my ewes seemed to look a bit bloated and recommended offering baking soda to them, as much as they like, to reduce the gas. I am graining but they thought they looked too full for the amount I am giving. Incidentally, since they have offered it to their goats the milk tastes better and the milk fat concentration has increased. They also recommended offering molasses. This is what has worked for them. I don't need to call a vet but just keep a careful eye on my girlies. I can't imagine them getting any bigger but if they have too much gas from the grain maybe that's why they look so big? Have any of you heard of the baking soda? What were the results? Can I overdo the dry molasses? Thanks for listening and sharing :) Natasha Sent from my iPad ___ 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 ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Prolapse
Hi Natasha, I'm pretty new with lambing also. This year was so much better for me. I kept track of the days my ewes went i with the rams. I calculated the dates when they could start giving birth. I have found that once they start filling up with milk it is between one and two weeks until they give birth. Do you bring your ewes into an enclosed or smaller paddock when they are going to give birth? I bring my ewes into a smaller paddock (half of my back yard) where I can keep a closer eye on them. I am like you, I am waiting with total excitement, I can't wait for the births and I have been lucky enough to have seen most of them being born. This year, I saw twins by cesarian (a first--mama developed toxemia), another set of twins naturally, and then my very first pure-bred American Blackbelly (I didn't see), when I thought mama still had a while, I went inside at 10:00 to do something for an hour and when I went back out, I heard her making the (pig) sounds they make to their babies and I knew she had that baby when I went inside. Darn! Have a camera ready! Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Natasha" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 3:54:43 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Prolapse Thanks Ray, The woman who sold me the one ewe came out to look at her. She didn't think she was ready to lamb yet. She didn't know why she appeared to be having contractions yesterday - do sheep get Braxton Hicks? She didn't think her udder was big enough and it didn't look like she had dropped. Although last year, I couldn't tell if she had dropped or not. My ewe is happily eating and nothing is happening with her today. I haven't seen any prolapse today at all. My friend figures she's going to have triplets and she has also seen with her sheep slight prolapses a day or two before lambing. I guess I wait with bated breath and see what happens. That said, I have no hesitation to call the vet if I need to. She didn't think I needed to call the vet yet. I just don't have all the experience under my belt to know when to panic and when to mellow out. I would hate to lose her as she's such a lovely, friendly, gentle creature. Thanks for your reply. Natasha > It's hard to say when to panic with these girls since they seem to like to > keep you guessing. That being said, if it appears she is in labor or having > contractions and nothing happens within 30 minutes to an hour, you should > have her vet checked. I lost one ewe two years ago by waiting to long, and > lost one this year that prolapsed after giving birth to a healthy lamb. The > one from two years ago had twins in her that were too big for her even though > it was not her first birth. I don't mean to add to your worry, but again, I > would get her looked at. Good luck. ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Eye Infections
we use triple antibiotic ointment if there are no ulcers on the eye, but my vet doesn't charge like other vets. She would stain their eye to make sure there are no ulcers, because the ointment has a steroid in it. Hope you figure it out. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Jen Lobo-Simpson" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 5:23:09 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] Eye Infections I have a couple of lambs that seem to be getting frequent eye infections - very teary eye and a large amount of discharge. The vet has prescribed an antibotic ointment, but I'm a big fan of the ounce of prevention rule. Is there something that I might be doing to prevent this? Are there any treatments that wouldn't require a prescription? Thanks! Jen ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Limping ewe
One or two of my sheep show up limping every couple months. I have never seen them hurt themselves, but I've often wondered if its something they do or if they got hurt running away from one of the horses or doing a fast maneuver. They usually work it out in a couple of days and it's like nothing happened. I do check to make sure there is nothing lodged in between their toes and that there is no heat in the leg. As far as banamine goes, I just used it IM on one of my Finns. She had to have a c-section last Friday night, she developed toxemia. She was getting banamine twice a day for 3 days. I would check with your vet to see if banamine is the right thing to use for what your sheep has. When it comes to sheep, with just a limp, if it isn't mastitis, I would give it a couple of days and she if it works itself out. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Michael Smith" To: "blackbelly" Sent: Tuesday, March 6, 2012 5:23:19 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] Limping ewe Could use some advice on what to look for here. older (not sure how old, but she's my oldest) AB ewe shows up limping yesterday. I had planned on trimming hooves anyway so I penned her and trimmed while taking a look. No foul smells, no oozing, no discoloration I could see. No swelling of joints or apparent apparent break. Joints moved in the right direction and freely. Did not trim into the quick or make her bleed. I have done that once and seen a ewe limp for a few days, but in this case, was careful. She can grow some pretty long eagle claws for hooves, but usually only on her back feet. The fronts really required little trimming. Today her limp is not better, and might be worse. In general, she does get up and move slow and might be developing Osteoarthritis. Incidentally, she's also mostly deaf. Not sure how to proceed other than to pen her for a week, feed her, keep her real dry (covered pen) and apply hoof drench? I have a splint I could vet-wrap onto the joints, but not sure if the hoof itself is what is hurting... I also could wash her hoof and inspect between the toes a bit better. Did not really do that. In general the sheep have dry, green grass pastures and are not in a manure and urine-filled muddy paddock, like some livestock can be. Our rain has been maybe 1/2" every 10 days lately. Never had a problem with any hoof-related diseases in 4 years and with 15 sheep and pygmy goats. -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
Re: [Blackbelly] Giving Birth
Well, I've had just a couple seasons of lambs now. My Blackbellies have had no problems lambing, they seem to do it with ease. But tonight, it is now 1:30 Saturday morning, my vet left about 12:45, after performing a cesarian section on one of my Finn Ewes. So, my ewe and her two new twins are in my basement. The reason we had a cesarian is she has toxemia, so I decided the ewe was more important, so we decided to take the lambs. They are doing ok, both are seven pounds. Now the hard part starts, I have to make sure they are nursing, but at the same time, mama can't stand up yet, so I have to shift her from side to side and if they don't nurse enough, I have to empty her milk so she doesn't stop her milk production. I'll be doing this every hour and a half through the night and tomorrow. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Cecil R Bearden" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Friday, March 2, 2012 7:11:40 AM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Giving Birth I have had more troubled experiences this lambing than ever before. My ewes were too fat. I was supplementing them and had hay out 24/7. They just do not have the milk production they should have had. I had green pasture for them to graze on until the last2 months of pregnancy. When I had a stomach blockage in one of my ewes she was autopsied and found to have a lot of kidney fat which indicated she was in very good shape. She just liked milk replacer since she was a bottle baby and got into a sack and ate the top tear strip off the sack. The tear strip lodged in her gut. One of my best ewes had triplets 2 days ago, and it appears that while lambing with the first, a dog or some predator attacked and bit the nose off of the lamb. She had 2 more lambs which appear to be premature, their teeth are not showing. One has problems with its front legs, it was laying sprawled out on its stomach. It cannot hold its front legs together. I made a vest to hold its shoulders together. Also made a sling to hold it above the ground and let it excercise to build up its muscles. I don't know if this is from trauma or just premature. The other lamb is having trouble standing to nurse, so I am supplementing it. I have a theory that has not been denied by my vet. If the ram is allowed to run with the ewes, it is possible to conceive in both horns of the uterus. However the fetuses are 15 days or more apart in development. When the early conception lamb is born, the others are born due to the contractions. This sometimes explains the triplets with one very small, or one very large. It may also explain the anomaly of 6 being born to one of my ewes when I sold her to some of my contractor friends who just let them run to clean up their storage yard. It seems that the harder I try to make a good environment for my sheep, and keep them well fed, the more trouble they have with lambs. I had 3 abandoned babies this time, and am raising them in a playpen and an outdoor pen. I had one set of triplets and penned them up with the ewe, only to have her lay down on 2 of them and suffocate them. The little lamb that could not seem to keep up with Mama is now her only one. She is going to have a new home in 2 months. Also any one who cannot raise her lambs or abandons a lamb will go. I am just getting too old to have this much trouble. My ram lambs are also going to either be neutered at 60 days or sold This lambing was not supposed to happen. It was from a bottle baby ram that we felt sorry for, and did not want to band him when it was so hot this summer... Cecil in oKla On 3/1/2012 2:14 PM, Natasha wrote: >> Old pics and movies of Blackbelly twin newborns. Click the links on the top >> like Angie, Ruby, etc for other ewes with their lambs. > Great pics! I liked seeing how you dealt with the ewe who didn't want > to nurse by putting her in closed quarters. Last spring my one ewe > accepted the first born but hated the second and was always sending > him flying. I struggled with her and would tie her to something solid > and hold her head while her little guy nursed. I did that for several > day and got a sore back. After that I bottle fed him. I don't think > she would have accepted him - I tried putting her urine on him ( I > read that in a book), put her milk on him trying to get her to accept > him. She would put down her ears and just beeline for him to butt > him. She used to be so sweet and nice and now she's quite miserable. > She was a good mom to the favoured lamb. If she delivers this spring > I hope she does a good job of being a mom this time. > > Is a ewe capable of withholding milk/preventing it from coming down? > > Never ending questions, > > Natasha :) > ___ > This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbell
Re: [Blackbelly] bottle lamb
If the lamb needs nutrition, do you have any nutri-drench? This supplies a quick absorbing shot of nutrition. You can give it three times a day. I had a ewe that had very little milk with twins. If I hadn't started bottle feeding the first night, the little one would have died. Once her milk started coming in, they started nursing, but I was supplementing them with bottles for several weeks. I have Finn sheep as well as my blackbelly sheep and I just stocked up on all my supplies in anticipation of my two Finns having at least triplets each. One of them had triplets the first pregnancy. Good Luck. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "o johnson" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 2:06:16 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] bottle lamb Had twins born sunday n lost one. Second one was doing great n tonight/tuesday came home n momma ignoring him n hes just standing in the corner. Brought him home n working on bottle feeding but he is different from any lambs we have bottle fed before. Any ideas, sugestions, etc. Thank u. Oj in ok ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Giving Birth
Michael, Thank you for sharing your videos and pics with us. In a few weeks, I am expecting my first pure bred American Blackbelly birth and in the fall, my first Barbados Blackbelly birth. I have bred my wool sheep and an oops cross with a blackbelly, but my first purebreds are coming and I'm very excited. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Michael Smith" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Friday, February 24, 2012 1:31:17 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Giving Birth Natasha... Old pics and movies of Blackbelly twin newborns. Click the links on the top like Angie, Ruby, etc for other ewes with their lambs. http://web.me.com/mwsmith100/spring_2010/Pebbles.html -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies On Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 4:51 PM, Natasha wrote: >> OH MY GOSH!!! WHAT A TREAT!!! > > Yes it was! Thanks so much for sharing :) Do Blackbellies twin? Or > are they usually singletons? I couldn't see the video as it didn't > load properly for me but I sure enjoyed seeing the show! > > It turned out my ewes never delivered anything when I was expecting > them to. Bummer for me. Hopefully my little ram lamb was able to get > to business when I put him with my older ewe lambs. It would be a > disappointing year with no little ones around. My other ram was with > the ewes from mid May until September - how is it possible there were > no babies? They did have young ones at the time, but I had weaned > them already. What could prevent them from becoming pregnant? He > produced lovely lambs last spring with these ewes. > > > Natasha > ___ > 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 ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Giving Birth
OH MY GOSH!!! WHAT A TREAT!!! I am a mommy with a huge nurturing instinct. I am practically in tears watching this slide show! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS! Made my day! I can't wait until my ewes start giving birth! Only a couple of weeks now. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Rick Krach" To: "blackbelly Blackbelly List" Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 11:00:01 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] Giving Birth A few years ago I shared pictures of a ewe giving birth. I got it on film again this week, enjoy: http://gallery.me.com/rickkrach#102097 Rick Krach Auburn, CA 95602 ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] lamb disappeared
I had a hawk take one of my 10 lb. chickens. I am fortunate to be able to keep my new babies with their mamas in my back yard. I divided my yard in half, added a shelter and keep them right next to the house. The dogs have their own door and go in and out all the time. There are tall trees, so the hawks don't come near and the fox stay away. I'm very sorry your lost your lamb. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Jerry" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 5:17:39 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] lamb disappeared A 2 day old ABB lamb, one of a twin pair, has disappeared. There is no sign of intruders, no hair, no bones, no evidence. We do have coyotes, hawks, owls, and buzzards here, but no panthers and no eagles nearby, This lamb was in a small flock in a 2 acre paddock completely enclosed with a good 4 foot hog wire fence. Our guard dog was with the main flock in another pasture. I'm guessing the lamb weighed about 3 lbs, could be a little less; it was the smaller of the twins. Have any of you had that experience? Do you know what manner of critter can either totally consume such a lamb or remove it out of the paddock without a trace? Thanks for your help, Jerry Kirby Windmill Farms LLC Picayune, Mississippi ___ 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 ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Sheep scratching device
I purchased a horse item, but the sheep like it. It is a thick cylindrical piece of tubing like pvc, but on the outside is scratchy twine. You could plant a thick post such as a telephone pole and glue and staple the thick scratchy twine on it for the sheep to rub on. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Eileen" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 10:04:43 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Sheep scratching device I'm not sure about the sheep, but my pygmy goats loved to scratch against a chain link panel that I put up to keep them out of our outdoor freezer room. It was pretty effective; I had to go clean gobs of goat hair from the backside. I will try this with the sheep. Eileen -Original Message- From: blackbelly-boun...@lists.blackbellysheep.info [mailto:blackbelly-boun...@lists.blackbellysheep.info]On Behalf Of blackbelly-requ...@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 3:01 PM To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Blackbelly Digest, Vol 8, Issue 5 Send Blackbelly mailing list submissions to blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.blackbellysheep.info/listinfo.cgi/blackbelly-blackbellysheep.i nfo or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to blackbelly-requ...@lists.blackbellysheep.info You can reach the person managing the list at blackbelly-ow...@lists.blackbellysheep.info When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Blackbelly digest..." Today's Topics: 1. sheep scratching post (Carol Elkins) 2. Re: sheep scratching post (swkparr...@gmail.com) 3. Re: sheep scratching post (Michael Smith) 4. Re: sheep scratching post (Elizabeth Radi) 5. (no subject) (Lucinda) -- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:29:55 -0700 From: Carol Elkins To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] sheep scratching post Message-ID: <20120110012957.9f41648...@diego.dreamhost.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed I'd like to give my sheep something to scratch on besides my fence (they are really hard on fences). Come spring when they want to help their shedding along, it would be nice if they had something prickly or scratchy to rub up against. Have any of you made something for your sheep to scratch on? Carol Carol Elkins Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep (no shear, no dock, no fuss) Pueblo, Colorado http://www.critterhaven.biz -- Message: 2 Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:36:07 + From: swkparr...@gmail.com To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] sheep scratching post Message-ID: <1949930397-1326159368-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-59775791-@b 5.c25.bise6.blackberry> Content-Type: text/plain Mine like to rub on a cattle panel held vertically by T-posts. We have one in the middle of a pasture, we hang hay feeders on it. We also use cattle panels to make small catch pens inside the pastures; they rub on those too. Probable any kind of fencing would do. Stephanie --Original Message-- From: Carol Elkins Sender: blackbelly-boun...@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info ReplyTo: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] sheep scratching post Sent: Jan 9, 2012 8:29 PM I'd like to give my sheep something to scratch on besides my fence (they are really hard on fences). Come spring when they want to help their shedding along, it would be nice if they had something prickly or scratchy to rub up against. Have any of you made something for your sheep to scratch on? Carol Carol Elkins Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep (no shear, no dock, no fuss) Pueblo, Colorado http://www.critterhaven.biz ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -- Message: 3 Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 19:34:13 -0800 From: Michael Smith To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] sheep scratching post Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Funny you should ask. I am seriously considering something heavy-duty with large 1" wooden dowels sticking out horizontally, like a huge bed of nails with the "nails" maybe 8" to 12" apart. The wooden dowels would, of course wear down and be chewed on, but it should last several seasons if they are about a foot long. I think the goats and ewes could handle it. The rams, idiots that they are, would probably try to challenge it, and destroy it, or their faces. This design is stil
Re: [Blackbelly] Fact or Fiction?
I have been feeding in the afternoon between 3-6 for 4 years now. I have had 3 ewes delivery in the early morning, before 8am, 1 during the lunch hours and the rest in the evenings, starting around 6pm and finishing by 7:30pm. The ones that delivered in the morning--2 blackbellies, 1 cheviot, lunchtime was a Finn, the evenings were an icelandic and finn. My belief is it's just like humans, when the babies are ready, they will come out. You know this is the one thing Drs and others have never been able to pinpoint an exact predictor. Most of my ewes started nesting the day they delivered. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Natasha" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 8:06:49 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] Fact or Fiction? Hi again, This is what one person told me about feeding grain. If you feed grain between 10 am and 2 pm you are more likely to have your lambs in the afternoon. If you grain them in the evening you are sure to have lambing at night. Is this just an "old wives tale" or is there anything to this? Last time around I had lambing in the wee hours of the morning and lambing in the early afternoon. I try to grain in the day because of this advice of which I am a little suspicious of seeing that it didn't hold true for both girls. It seems a little ridiculous to me - I would think they come when they come but this person held herself to be an "expert" and I know that I am not. So, what of your experiences? Do tell! I am all ears. Thanks, Natasha ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Update on rescued Blackbelly cross
baby antics? does that ever stop? My sheep are pretty tame and when I ride
the 4-wheeler around the property, I call the sheep and they come running,
bouncing, hoping and flinging themselves into the air. I love it, it is very
fun to watch and good exercise for the sheep. My sheep play on their own in
the evening. I have a range of 1 year through 4 years old and they all do it
and I encourage it.
I'm glad to hear that your new charge is doing so well.
Nancy L. Johnson
imgr8a...@comcast.net
cell: 301 440 4808
- Original Message -
From: "Natasha Lovell"
To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 1:57:03 PM
Subject: [Blackbelly] Update on rescued Blackbelly cross
She is easily a Body Score of 3 now (normal weight), and has progressed to
following me around as well as my 4 month old bottle-raised goat kid does. She
learned her name ("Rosie"), and comes as well as the average quasi-trained dog.
I have been able to take her out with the goat herd on neighborhood walks, and
she still hasn't quite gotten used to browsing on the move, but she does like
the blackberry leaves. The goats unfortunately still think she looks better in
a flat shape, so we are in the process of getting a Soay ewe lamb here as a
companion. Rosie has grown several inches, and acts like she is relaxed and
comfortable with us. And REALLY wants to be a goat...poor girl.
What age does a sheep lose the baby antics? She has started (as of Saturday)
bouncing with the baby goat occasionally. She also got a good whiff of male
goat three weeks ago when I bred a milking doe and is acting like she wants a
hot date this morning. She was hoping the goat kid was a boy...no such luck. So
I'm pretty sure she's not pregnant like I was initally concerned about. The
Soay girl will be due in late March/Early April however...not like we need more
animals...but we have a market for extras nest door - the neighbor likes lamb.
Natasha Lovell
Rubystar Nubian & Guernsey dairy goats
Located in Western WA state
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Re: [Blackbelly] BB or AB crossed with something else
Sorry it took me so long to respond to this. The Texas Dahl is a white sheep and when crossed with an American Blackbelly you get a very pretty painted desert. I have American as well as Barbados Blackbelly sheep and my sister-in-law has painted desert sheep. The American Blackbelly Sheep is one of the most common sheep crossed with another to produce painted desert sheep. Painted Desert sheep have horns and have to have certain color patterns to be registered. If the baby doesn't have lots of color, the only way to register them is if both parents were registered Painted Desert sheep. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Michael Smith" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Saturday, October 1, 2011 8:20:05 AM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] BB or AB crossed with something else folks, another great California example. you will have to check this ad out quickly, it might not stay there long http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/grd/2623369772.html they say "Texas Dahl" cross with BB. But all I see in those white-ish rams with spots, is Painted Desert cross with BB. Texas Dahl is another one we don't see out here much. _Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies On Fri, Sep 30, 2011 at 8:02 PM, Michael Smith wrote: > Donna-Marie, I imagine you are talking about Marley the ram? > > http://mwsmith.smugmug.com/Animals/RamsMay2011/17252812_BwW2Sr#1309783922_zcS5wtP-A-LB > > take a look at the link Carol included for Painted Desert sheep, and > remember I said the most common cross with Barbado Blackbelly to get > American Blackbelly in the west, is Painted Desert. Marley has those > horns. and after only 3 years. > > http://www.painteddesertsheepsociety.com/ > > I "wish" we had Mouflon in California. I have never seen them, and > look every few months on craigslist and ag. forums for them and never > see them in California. But, if I search on the word "barbado", which > is what people call ABs here, I find several ads on any given week. I > can find some Jacobs sheep, Painted Desert, but no Mouflon. Just > gives you an idea how rare Mouflon are around here. > > -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies > > On Fri, Sep 30, 2011 at 4:20 PM, Carol Elkins > wrote: >> Mouflon have heart-shaped (supracervical) horns, so a mouflon-cross would be >> more likely to have supracervical horns rather than horns that sweep outward >> in curls (homonymous). >> >> For an excellent discussion about the various blackbelly crosses and >> resulting horn shapes, see Anita Garza's page at >> http://www.elcascabel.com/corbros.htm Her nomenclature for Barbados >> Blackbelly and American Blackbelly is a little outdated, but the bulk of the >> information on this page is very well written. >> >> Those of you with horned sheep might be interested in the United Horned Hair >> Sheep Association at http://www.unitedhornedhairsheepassociation.org/ >> >> Those of you with horned sheep that are multi-colored might be interested in >> the Painted Desert Sheep Society at >> http://www.painteddesertsheepsociety.com/ >> >> Those of you with well-marked blackbelly sheep with horns (ewes don't need >> to be horned) might be interested in the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep >> Association Int'l. which maintains the oldest registry for the American >> Blackbelly breed. http://www.blackbellysheep.org >> >> Carol >> >> At 04:49 PM 9/30/2011, you wrote: >>> >>> I was told that the first thing to go on a cross is the black bar across >>> the >>> top of the head. >>> >>> I would say the one ram with the wide spread horns may be a mouflon cross >>> as >>> they have that horn set. >>> >>> Donna-Marie >>> In BC, Canada >> >> Carol Elkins >> Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep >> (no shear, no dock, no fuss) >> Pueblo, Colorado >> http://www.critterhaven.biz >> >> ___ >> 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 ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Hay for the winter
How many sheep do you have and how much hay do you put out per day. You said you only use 45 bales for the winter--what time frame does that cover? Maybe because I've always had horses to feed, I find 45 bales to sound absolutely wonderful. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Double J Farms" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2011 7:04:08 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Hay for the winter Carol: I have only used alfalfa pellets (the small ones, Tractor Supply ~$11/40#) as an added treat in a grain mix of corn and oats, or to the 12% All Stock pellets I now feed. When my pastures turn brown, I use Bahia or Bermuda grass hay (that is what is available locally in southwest Alabama) pretty much free choice and put out about 1/4 to 1/2 pound of grain per head per day. Decent local hay is $5-$6/bale and imported alfalfa hay is $14/bale. To carry 15 head over the winter I go through about 45 bales (~50#) of hay. Sheep still have access to the pasture and will nibble around but they really come running when I add a new bale of hay or put out the grain. John Carlton Double J Farms ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Alfalfa pellets/cubes
This is the forage I was talking about. I have also used beet pulp for my horses, only we needed to let it soak in water like the cubes. If I didn't soak in water, they would choke. I did have a sheep choke on it once, she got into it and really liked it and sucked it down too fast and started to choke> Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Terry" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info, lizr...@skybeam.com Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2011 4:31:05 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Alfalfa pellets/cubes Carol I found a product called "forage feed' designed for older horses that cannot chew up their hay very well. http://www.lucernefarms.com/ I found it was a very clean (lack of dust) way to have hay for my rabbits when they live indoors-- The packaging is about the size of a bale of peat moss or shavings-- and is quite compacted, yet the feed fluffs out very nicely. I have fed the compressed cubes tothe sheep-- but yes, soaking them first is a must-- and you can get compressed timothy. Alfalfa pellets are just going to cause trouble if they are a main source of nutrition--- BUT--Beet pulp can be used to up the fiber content of a homemade mix of rations. Of course, whole oats, and even BOSS, in the shell, excellent working fiber when all is said and done. Terry W NE OHIO ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Alfalfa pellets/cubes
I have used both cubes and pellets for horses. After my experience, I would never use the pellets again. The alfalfa pellets made my horse founder terribly. The cubes are fine, when you soak them, but my sheep don't really like the wet alfalfa, which is what it winds up being. Southern Stages and other supplies sell hay forage, which I used for my older horse who couldn't chew the long stemmed hay. It was the same hay, just chopped up so the horses who didn't have great teeth could get their nutrients. My sheep absolutely love the forage. Around here it comes in 40 pound bales, the bales are very compressed, when you empty it into a can, it fills up a Large trash can. They will get fat on it though, you have to learn how much to use, but it may be an option for you. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Carol Elkins" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 7:03:34 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] Alfalfa pellets/cubes I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do when the hay supply runs out next spring before my pasture comes in. I can't find small bales anywhere locally and those that are farther away are going for up to $12/bale. So I'm wondering about alfalfa pellets or cubes. I know of only two sizes--pellets for rabbilts (1/4 in. diameter or so) and cubes for horses. I've learned thus far from a goat site that I trust that you can feed the cubes in conjunction with hay, but not as a total replacement. Sheep and goats need the long fiber in hay for their rumens to work properly. The cubes are too chopped up and processed to be a total replacement. The site also said that sheep will not be able to eat those hard cubes "as is"and that I should either break them up with a hammer or soak them in warm water. That's a lot of work I'd rather not have to do. Do any of you have any experience feeding alfalfa pellets and if so, what quantity and what size pellet and what worked? Carol Carol Elkins Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep (no shear, no dock, no fuss) Pueblo, Colorado http://www.critterhaven.biz ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Alfalfa pellets/cubes
I'm wondering if you have access to the large rectangular bales. Sort of like a round bale, but the large 3x3x7 foot bales are heavier than a round bale and they are flaked like small bales. The large bales I get are about 850 pounds, that's quite a lot of small square bales and I only pay $60 for the large bales. They last me, 7-8 days and I am feeding 6 horses and 13 sheep. Small bales around here from the same hay guy are $5.00 a bale. If I use small bales I use 4 bales a day, that's $20 a day! If you have a tractor and a place to store them, I have found they are definitely saving me money. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Carol Elkins" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 7:03:34 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] Alfalfa pellets/cubes I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do when the hay supply runs out next spring before my pasture comes in. I can't find small bales anywhere locally and those that are farther away are going for up to $12/bale. So I'm wondering about alfalfa pellets or cubes. I know of only two sizes--pellets for rabbilts (1/4 in. diameter or so) and cubes for horses. I've learned thus far from a goat site that I trust that you can feed the cubes in conjunction with hay, but not as a total replacement. Sheep and goats need the long fiber in hay for their rumens to work properly. The cubes are too chopped up and processed to be a total replacement. The site also said that sheep will not be able to eat those hard cubes "as is"and that I should either break them up with a hammer or soak them in warm water. That's a lot of work I'd rather not have to do. Do any of you have any experience feeding alfalfa pellets and if so, what quantity and what size pellet and what worked? Carol Carol Elkins Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep (no shear, no dock, no fuss) Pueblo, Colorado http://www.critterhaven.biz ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] DE
no need to apologize. I'm not sure why I have none of these issues here in MD, but I have just not been exposed to any of these things at all. I feel very fortunate to not have any of these problems. But I am very interested in learning about the issues other people have had and are having. Thanks for explaining. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Crystal Wolf" To: "Blackbelly digest" Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 7:30:35 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] DE My apologies for using an acryonym without the explanation. Diatameceous earth is (DE) is fossil flour that comes from Utah. It is tiny ancient fossils ground into a flour consistancy. When fed to poultry, dogs, cats, horeses and sheep it literally cuts up the internal parasites. It is also good for human consumption as well. BE SURE however that you buy food grade DE. There is also DE for swimming pools which is not for consumption by any animal. I mist their grain with 50/50 apple cider vineger and water (another natural wormer). This allows the DE and granulated garlic to cling to the feed and cut the flour dust down when they eat it. I also mix it in their kelp along with granulated garlic. The lamb I had to destroy had intestinal worms but I don't recall the name of the worm. This is the worst case of internal parasites I've had. Normally if someone gets wormy which does not happen very often, I will give them a garlic drench first for a couple days. If that does not work, then I give the SafeGuard at a rate twice noted for goats. Most times the garlic does the trick. I rarely have to use the SafeGuard. So this guy was must have had a really poor immune system. I tried for 3 months to save him, to no avail. Oh, I also put DE in the holes where the poultry do their dust baths to help keep off the mites and lice on the birds. Cathy Mayton LeapNLambs ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] what I feed for minerals
What is DE. I've heard this on the listserve a couple of times, but I have no idea what it is. What kid of internal parasites did you lamb have? Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Crystal Wolf" To: "Blackbelly digest" Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 6:47:40 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] what I feed for minerals What I've been free feeding my ABB for minerals is kelp mixed with DE and garlic along with Redman Saltand their coats are nice and shiny. They also have a sulphur salt block but will eat more of the Redman salt over the block salt. With the kelp mix they are getting wormed and their minerals and the garlic helps keep their immune system strong. I recently lost an 8 month old ram lamb to internal parasites after trying to save him for 3 months. Not even any of the chemical wormers sold to me by the vet helped him. This is a very unusual case for me, because I rarely use SafeGuard which is my first choice in chemical wormers. All the sheep are fed DE everyday for worming which is sprinkled on their grain and the lambs are given this mix as soon as they start eating grain. Sometimes my lambs will get sore mouth but this time I added turmeric to their grain the little ewe has cleared right up. Cathy Mayton LeapN Lambs ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Selenium/Sheep Minerals
Tracy, I live in Maryland and my sheep are in the pasture with my horses. I have been letting my sheep feed on the sheep mineral block for 5 years. The mineral block is not salt with trace minerals, it's minerals with salt, as well as a salt block. I have not lost any sheep due to anything related to diet. I feed pasture, hay and Southern States textured sheep feed. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Tracy Wessel" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 6:37:28 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Selenium/Sheep Minerals I have long had concern over the additives in sheep minerals which make the substance "tasty." The protein/mineral blocks have molasses, the loose minerals, which I usually feed, also have a smell that is inviting. The sheep go through vast amounts of it, and leads me to believe that this is an imbalance. So I don't keep the mineral tube full. It concerns me. I've considered lately trying that natural mineral rock labeled for horses. It's not manmade, nor composed of any added salts or elements, is just naturally occurring. I might try it for a month and see. Tracy Wessel www.intentionhill.com (Blackbelly Sheep and Belgian Shepherds) Home of Basquelaine 'A' of Intention Hill Litter Kylie's Shambhavi Rose (ILP Groenendael), HSAsd, STDsdc, JHD, CGC "Savannah," BasqueLaine Cat On The Scent (Tervuren, Gaelera BigMtn Brennerain x Hexen House Iserah) SAR Cert "Jairam," Chittaprasad Jairam du Volant (Groenendael, Orsam de Salte Cabre x Baikadunia), SAR training "Gabbit" Gabbit Elmar Slovakia (Tervuren, Ich. Ich.Prot Deabei, IPO2 x CAC, R.CACIB Karla z Polytanu), just a pup) ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Blackbelly Digest, Vol 7, Issue 82
Carla, I'm wondering how long you have had sheep? And I wonder just what Predators you believe sheep can defend themselves against? and how? Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "carla litz" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 9:10:42 AM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Blackbelly Digest, Vol 7, Issue 82 Hi, I am sorry to hear about your sheep being ill. I hope that it has a speedy recovery with initial treatment. We raise our sheep as natural as possible in South Texas. We currently have 5 sheep on 40 acres. They seem to be doing fine. I wonder if more sheep would be healthier when raised naturally. There immune systems build up and their natural instincts develope. So that they can defend themselves against predators. Carla From: "blackbelly-requ...@lists.blackbellysheep.info" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2011 4:01 PM Subject: Blackbelly Digest, Vol 7, Issue 82 Send Blackbelly mailing list submissions to blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.blackbellysheep.info/listinfo.cgi/blackbelly-blackbellysheep.info or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to blackbelly-requ...@lists.blackbellysheep.info You can reach the person managing the list at blackbelly-ow...@lists.blackbellysheep.info When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Blackbelly digest..." Today's Topics: 1. The sheep is here - need suggestions on getting her healthy (Natasha Lovell) 2. Re: The sheep is here - need suggestions on getting her healthy (nancy...@centurytel.net) -- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:09:39 -0700 (PDT) From: Natasha Lovell To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] The sheep is here - need suggestions on getting her healthy Message-ID: <1318464579.25016.yahoomailclas...@web110207.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii The sheep from my first post is now in my care. She looks to be at a body score of at least 2 if not lower. It's hard to tell under all that fuzz. I'll be working on increasing her nutrition as best I can with what I have on hand for the goats. She sure does like grain. I'm giving her a little to put some flesh back on her, starting her slow with just a small handful at a time for now (wet COB). She also has access to pasture during daylight hours (my goats don't graze, so she has all she wants), which she was also on at her previous home. I also have some decent grass hay, and good alfalfa. So far she looks perkier than she did on arrival last night. Any other suggestions that don't cost an arm and a leg? I have Bo-Se, oral vitamin B mix, and oral Vit. E on hand. I plan to vaccinate her with CD-T next spring with my goats. I am aware of the copper issue with sheep, and therefore looked at the labels for my goats' minerals. They appear to be too high. I live in the Pacific NW. The selenium levels in my area tend to be low. Are there any mineral brands that you guys like for your animals? I plan to offer minerals by hand/pan to prevent the sheep from getting the goat minerals. The goats get theirs at milking time. I wormed her twice now with ivermectin oral paste, gave her probios on arrival, and am using some herbal oils on her nose for slight respiratory symptoms, including a bloody nose (which is not occurring at my place - any suggestions about that and what caused it??). The oil worked beautifully on a chronically sniffle-nosed goat kid, so I'm hoping it'll do the same for her. She was exposed to a ram in mid-July (at the auction), and I'm hoping for her sake she's not pregnant on top of her current issues. I don't *think* she is, but not sure. Are there any external signs that I could watch for? Natasha Lovell Rubystar Nubian & Guernsey dairy goats Located in Western WA state -- Message: 2 Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:51:38 -0400 From: nancy...@centurytel.net To: Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] The sheep is here - need suggestions on getting her healthy Message-ID: <20111012215138.tlg69ogca6v4w...@webmail2.centurytel.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format="flowed" I have used both kent and Puria brand loose mineral on my sheep. They are both good. I have used vicks for stuffy nose from colds. If you have wormed her and she is eating well with the alfalfa and grain I would say she should fatten up. You would probably start seeing it in the next week or so. If we get one that is poor that belly starts to get big and you can see the flesh come back on her hips. Good luck with her. If she is pregneant I would guess you would
Re: [Blackbelly] Need help with identifying a ewe
Those 3 Blackbellies are absolutely gorgeous! What ranch did you get them from? Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Michael Smith" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2011 9:16:31 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Need help with identifying a ewe first off: hair sheep. so only a few breeds could be in the mix. Definitely Barbado or American Blackbelly- mix with something else. My AB girls mostly have horn scurs, I would think a true barbado would not. On the west coast, the most popular hair-sheep mixes with ABs are Painted Desert, and then plenty of ABs show up with some wool, and are mixed with wool sheep as well. here's an example of some lambs I believe are both mixed with Painted Desert "and" a bit of wool. The two white lambs are what I am talking about here, but you can see the parents, who are probably half and half. https://picasaweb.google.com/105444895914121009228/NikkiS_Sheep827081028AM The Painted Desert can be responsible for the white splotches in places they would not belong on a normal AB. I bought the female lamb, and she grows an extra- thick layer of very white and curly hair for winter. All my other more "barbie" looking sheep have thinner, and more cream-colored winter wool. these are three of my most "barbie"-looking ABs I got from one ranch, Great markings. https://picasaweb.google.com/105444895914121009228/New_Barbados10308857PM#5284927325580751586 -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies Sent from my iPad On Sep 25, 2011, at 1:16 PM, Natasha Lovell wrote: > I was called about rehoming a sheep recently (I have dairy goats, and I'm the > local petting zoo goat supplier & livestock expert). I went to visit the > animal, and she had some intriguing characteristics. ..which prompted a > search online and an inquiry to my goat Yahoo groups about her ancestry, with > suggestions of Jacob, katahdin, St. Croix or Barbados Blackbelly crosses or > Soay. The Soay people says she has no Soay breeding, but definately looks > like she's at least 1/2 Barbados. > > Pictures: > > http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2153859638484.2108237.1006225420 > > She is about the size of a pygmy goat, with a long tail (bushy on the end), a > wiry overcoat and wool undercoat (has been clipped sometime after July, grown > back to ~1-2"). Four teats (two are likely non functional). She has two horn > stubs (or polled? I'm not familiar with sheep heads), and a dished, very > dainty face (and legs). Her coloring reminds me of the Barbados Blackbelly, > with white patches. A vet suggested her age to be less than 3-4yrs; I'm > pretty sure she's a 2011 lamb, due to general appearance and hoof growth. > > She is tame, and seems to have been well handled previously, as she responds > well to a head rub. She was purchased from the Enumclaw Sales Pavilion in > July from a group of goat-like sheep including a white/cream ram. Her only > tag is from the sale barn. I was hoping, since she appears to be a rare/minor > breed or cross, that I might be able to trace her origin. If anyone knows her > breed(s), approximate age or maybe even a place of origin, I would be > delighted to know. I will be bringing her home, if her CL and Johnnes tests > are Neg, in Oct. > > If the FB link won't work for you, I can send the pictures upon request. > > Thanks! > Natasha Lovell > Rubystar Nubian & Guernsey dairy goats > ___ > 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 ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Need help with identifying a ewe
I would love to see a picture of her. The pics on Facebook say they are unavailable. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Natasha Lovell" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2011 4:16:58 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] Need help with identifying a ewe I was called about rehoming a sheep recently (I have dairy goats, and I'm the local petting zoo goat supplier & livestock expert). I went to visit the animal, and she had some intriguing characteristics. ..which prompted a search online and an inquiry to my goat Yahoo groups about her ancestry, with suggestions of Jacob, katahdin, St. Croix or Barbados Blackbelly crosses or Soay. The Soay people says she has no Soay breeding, but definately looks like she's at least 1/2 Barbados. Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2153859638484.2108237.1006225420 She is about the size of a pygmy goat, with a long tail (bushy on the end), a wiry overcoat and wool undercoat (has been clipped sometime after July, grown back to ~1-2"). Four teats (two are likely non functional). She has two horn stubs (or polled? I'm not familiar with sheep heads), and a dished, very dainty face (and legs). Her coloring reminds me of the Barbados Blackbelly, with white patches. A vet suggested her age to be less than 3-4yrs; I'm pretty sure she's a 2011 lamb, due to general appearance and hoof growth. She is tame, and seems to have been well handled previously, as she responds well to a head rub. She was purchased from the Enumclaw Sales Pavilion in July from a group of goat-like sheep including a white/cream ram. Her only tag is from the sale barn. I was hoping, since she appears to be a rare/minor breed or cross, that I might be able to trace her origin. If anyone knows her breed(s), approximate age or maybe even a place of origin, I would be delighted to know. I will be bringing her home, if her CL and Johnnes tests are Neg, in Oct. If the FB link won't work for you, I can send the pictures upon request. Thanks! Natasha Lovell Rubystar Nubian & Guernsey dairy goats ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Tired of losing sheep to coyotes
I feel very lucky being in Maryland. The only fear for my sheep has been the flooding rains leftover from the hurricane this past week. My brother had mini donkeys with his sheep and I'll tell you, they would kill any critter that came near their herd! They also protected their humans! GOOD LUCK! Wish I could be of help Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "stewart" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Friday, September 9, 2011 5:42:37 AM Subject: [Blackbelly] Tired of losing sheep to coyotes to all, can anyone suggest the best way to protect my sheep from coyotes? i work the late shift and the last two morning when i get home i find a dead sheep. i have field fence as a barrier. spent a few hours thursday making certain no holes or spots the coyotes might squeeze through. i have three donkeys. (useless) -free to a good home. any suggestions is much appreciated. stewart ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Heat Dome!
Mary, Here is Maryland we are extremely humid during the summer and we are in the middle of a similar heat wave and have been all this week. I have been concerned about my sheep and the horses. I have a fan set up in the barn and the sheep love to go in and lay down in the stall where the bulk of the breeze is. My Blackbelly sheep seem to be just fine, but my wool sheep are hot! I had them sheared in March and they have a good 3 inches of wool now and they are hot! My horses are dripping with sweat, but I do have a stream that is constantly moving, so the water is nice and cool. The sheep hang out with the horses at the stream to help stay cool. My animals are handling the heat better than I am! Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Mary Swindell" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2011 6:34:31 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] Heat Dome! Here in southern Illinois our problem is heat. We have been under a heat warning for a week now, and it is not supposed to get back into the mid-90s until Saturday evening late. It has been over 100 here every day this week, with extremely high humidity (we are the "land between the rivers" -- Mississippi and Ohio, and we get jungle-like humidity regularly through the summers. But the present heat wave effects seem to be cumulative on the animals, who are really suffering, more each day. The night temperatures are not cool enough for them to recover. I am emptying and refilling 50-gallon water troughs twice per day because the water gets so hot that the animals won't drink it. Half my ewes are at the end stages of nursing and are emaciated, and the other half are over 3 months pregnant and are getting big. All are noticably miserable. I hope we all survive, and I hope this heat will end soon! This is the second heat warning of a week or more that we've had this summer. Our NPR radio station said that after this present heat wave subsides (and that means temperatures going down below the mid-90s, into the lower 90s), there is another one expected within a couple weeks afterward. My goal for this time is to keep everyone alive. Mary Swindell ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Worming Blackbelly Digest, Vol 7, Issue 53
I feel very lucky after hearing all the problems some of you are having with worms. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Cecil Bearden" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 10:46:39 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Worming Blackbelly Digest, Vol 7, Issue 53 Jerry: I have nearly lost 2 over 12 years due to worms causing other disesase. I have found that worming 3 times one week apart every 6 months or so works for me. Right now we are in a drought and anything that is creating a demand on their system is just too much... I alternate with safeguard (panacur) and ivermectin in the feed. I put out just enough feed mixed with the wormer that I know that they will get it eaten within a few minutes. If there appears to be anyone that still has worms, I use oral ivomec. If you look at livestock concept's site, you will find hog wormer for mising in the feed. I use this. I use the recommended rate per animal, but once a week for 3 weeks. It has worked great, and I do not have to catch each one and drench it... Cecil in OKla - Original Message - From: To: Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 7:59 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Worming Blackbelly Digest, Vol 7, Issue 53 > Jerry, I am in Central Florida. A few years back I was losing my lambs to > worms. My vet recommended Safe-guard (fenbendazole) dewormer for goats. 2 > cc > once a week for three weeks for those showing signs of worms (bottle jaw). > On the fourth week I had them tested and all was find. I give my lambs up > to one year old 2 cc every other month. I have not lost any since. I > questioned my vet about the fact this was labeled for goats? He said if > we only > gave sheep medicine that was labeled "sheep" we would not have any sheep > left in the world. But I think Stephanie Parrish's worming method is > better, > expensive but better. I believe she uses Shaklee Basic-H. Joan Eubank > ___ > 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 ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Parasite deaths
Maybe I'm the exception to the rule here in Maryland, but I have no problems with enemia or worms. The only problem we had once was coccidia(sp?), but the only lamb effected had brought it with her and she died within 2 weeks of arrival. The only reason we knew what she had died from was a necropsy. Thank goodness, because we could have lost all our babies to it. I only use cydectin. My vets experience, here and in California prior, is the others don't work. I worm once a year. More, than that, there would have to be a reason, like I got some new sheep. Even after I quarantine new sheep, I will worm everybody to make sure they start on the same track. Have you had a necropsy done? Did the vet to any testing to tell you it was definitely worms? It just seems strange to me that you have only a couple lambs so ill. If the worms are bad enough to kill, then you would have more than a couple sick sheep. Resistant as the Blackbellies are, that many worms would have more than a couple of sheep ill. Maybe there is something going on other than worms, a necropsy would tell you for sure. It's always a good idea to look at nutrition. Especially in young sheep. My babies get a combination of pasture, hay and grain for the first 6 months. I absolutely give them grain and I grain them separate from the adults so they can get enough nutrition to grow properly. I have 4 acres and the sheep share it with the horses. Do you give your sheep minerals? Not just salt and not a salt block with minerals, but loose minerals for sheep. Good luck and please let us know what you find out about them. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Jerry" To: "Sheep Group" Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 4:34:00 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] Parasite deaths Fellow Blackbelliers, I have lost 3 ram lambs (all born in January) in the past 6 weeks, all from anemia due to parasites. I have had ABBs for 6 years now and lost a few others along the way but nothing like this year. I have been operating on the theory of letting those least resistant ones die out rather than pass on their genes. But three out of about 40 is too many and I took another one, clearly with anemia, and acting lethargic, to the vet today. These were all destined for the November market. The vet recommended Panacur at 10 ml per animal for the entire flock today and again in two weeks . Our farm is in hot, humid South Mississippi with lots of rain and grass. Our flock is divided into three sub-flocks. Two of these smaller groups are rotated onto various paddocks of pasture when the grass gets higher in another paddock. The biggest group is on more pasture than they can eat down (in the spring and summer anyway). All of the deaths have occurred in the smaller two flocks. My questions are these: Those of you who do not deworm, what is your average loss rate? I suppose it would be different in arid climates than in humid ones. Has anyone in a similar environment to mine found that you have to deworm regularly to keep the flocks healthy? And if so, how often? And with which pharmaceuticals? Thanks for your help and for any advice you may have, Jerry Kirby Windmill Farms LLC Picayune, Mississippi ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Barn fans
I feel your pain Carol. Last year I had a very young ram decide that he wasn't staying in the fenced enclosure no matter what I did to it. He escaped a couple of times between January and February. I didn't know which ewes he got to and then when they would be due! Fortunately, only two of my 10 got pregnant, but one had twins on July 19 and the other had a single on August 19! Talk about hot! Fortunately, most of my ewes like to have their babies in the evening hours between 5:30 and 7:30, so the son wasn't blaring as much as it could have been. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Carol J. Elkins" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Sunday, July 3, 2011 11:13:03 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Barn fans Last week I bought a seriously cheap box fan that is all plastic. I hung it from one of the rafters in the back part of the sheep shed. It helps a little, the sheep aren't afraid of it, and they seem to enjoy the air being stirred around. My shed has no peaked roof so this was the best I could come up with. Note to self: NEVER EVER AGAIN schedule lambing to occur the first week in July. What could I have been thinking 5 months ago? Carol At 05:28 PM 7/3/2011, you wrote: >Carol, I remember reading in a veterinary manual, That the "heat >envelope" that develops UNDER sheep needs to be eliminated! This is >done by moving air at ground level. If your shed has a peaked >roof- exhausting air at the peak, and encouraging air to enter at >the ground level maintains cooler temps.I know a horse breeder who >has commercial sized standing fans set at their highest reach, to >help push air out of the barn- She sets a couple box fans on the >opposite end, door drawn down on top of them, to draw in air from >the shady side of the building. Commercial fans can be found around >here , used, for little money- and can handle the dust associated >with animal keeping a bit better than household type fans. > >Terry W One frustrated person!!! >___ >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 ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] California Rams May 2011
As a fan of American as well as Barbados Blackbellies, the horns on your sheep are FABULOUS! My sister has started breeding Painted Desert sheep, there are two things that are a must for painted desert sheep, 1 is Horns like these and 2 are American Blackbelly sheep. My American Blackbelly ram is going to sire Painted Desert babies and I can only hope he has a rack like these rams! Well done. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Michael Smith" To: "blackbelly" Sent: Friday, May 27, 2011 7:14:12 PM Subject: [Blackbelly] California Rams May 2011 My sister brought her DSLR camera over and took some nice photos of my 5 intact rams. 2 of them are yearlings from my 5 rams born last May. Only two made it this far intact. The other 3 were wethered. No captions on any of the pics yet. There's two pages, but you should be able to just click on the pictures you like best and not have to slog through all of them enjoy! http://mwsmith.smugmug.com/Animals/RamsMay2011/17252812_BwW2Sr#1309782994_GxWPdGn 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Running out of hay
Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: imgr8a...@comcast.net To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2011 7:58:37 AM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Running out of hay The real question is can you get more hay? If not, does your feed store sell grass forage? You don't want to give them as much, as the forage is (where I live) more expensive and it is rich. Do you grain your sheep as well? Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 - Original Message - From: "Peter C. Wallace" To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 6:43:25 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Running out of hay On Fri, 29 Apr 2011, Margaret Smith wrote: > Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:32:59 -0600 > From: Margaret Smith > Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info > To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info > Subject: [Blackbelly] Running out of hay > > What do you all feed your ABBs when you run out of hay and don't have pasture > yet? > > Peg Smith > Boulder, UT Mine start on human flesh when I run out of crackers... Peter Wallace ___ 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
