Old Sheep
The vast majority of commercial lowland sheep have an economic life of about five breeding seasons. After this, problems such as tooth loss or mastitis are likely to become more common, reducing productivity and creating more work for the shepherd, so most sheep will be sold at this stage whilst they still have a good value for meat. Older ewes from high hill flocks are usually sold as draft ewes at about four years of age and then have another couple of seasons as breeding ewes in less harsh conditions, often producing recognized crosses such as Mule, Masham or halfbred lambs, the females of these becoming breeding animals for the future.
In pedigree flocks, sheep usually have a longer breeding life as their genetic value means they are worth investing the increasing time that may be needed for their care. But it is pet sheep that usually have the longest life – twelve to fifteen years is not uncommon, and the occasional one can live to approaching twenty years!
This longevity can create problems, as some old sheep become increasingly arthritic, leading to difficulty and pain when walking, or can develop serious molar tooth problems leading to weight loss. Sometimes such sheep are kept alive for sentimental reasons when their welfare is poor and euthanasia should have been considered at an earlier stage. Owners of old sheep do need to be aware that hard decisions sometimes have to be made when a sheep’s welfare is becoming compromised.
Fig. 596 Pet sheep can get quite fat, particularly if they do not lamb. They are more likely to receive veterinary attention for minor or obscure signs and to receive treatments that would be uneconomic for commercial animals. The ewe on the left had a hysterectomy because she had persistent bleeding from a uterine abnormality that had not been seen previously.
Fig. 597 These ewes from a small flock of grey-faced Dartmoors receive a lot more individual attention than commercial sheep.
On the other hand, owners are often prepared to pay for veterinary investigation and treatment that would certainly not be done in a commercial setting, and this can produce interesting patients from the veterinary point of view.
Most commercial sheep are sold through markets at the end of their useful breeding life, and pass into the meat trade. However, some farmers do buy older ewes for further breeding at times when prices for cull ewes are cheap, but unless these are managed with a high level of skill, the results can be disastrous, with heavy losses from diseases such as pregnancy toxaemia in the ewes and insufficient colostrum for lambs.
Sick or Injured Sheep
Fig. 598 This ram is standing uncomfortably, as shown by his arched back. The abnormally straight position of the left leg indicates he almost certainly has chronic arthritis of the elbow. Affected animals stand uncomfortably, easing the affected leg or shifting from one leg to the other. When they walk they have a characteristic stilted gait.
Fig. 599 A severe case of osteoarthritis of the elbow joint, which can affect either one or both elbows. This is a very painful condition and euthanasia should be considered when the diagnosis is made.
Fig. 600 Ewes that have problems that compromise their future breeding capabilities should be clearly marked for culling.
As we have seen throughout this book, there are many causes of sheep becoming ill, and injuries such as broken legs are not uncommon. Some diseases happen suddenly (acute onset), and the sheep might die after a brief period of showing signs of illness (sometimes so brief that it is unobserved). Others may become ill over a longer time period, or have a long-lasting illness (chronic disease) from which they may eventually die. Sometimes the cause is obvious and appropriate treatment can be given, or a decision taken that humane slaughter is the best option. However, on many occasions the cause may not be obvious and veterinary help should be sought, particularly where significant numbers of animals are involved. In any case, sick or injured sheep should not be left to suffer and eventually die – if they do not respond to treatment, or treatment is more costly than the value of the animal(s), they should be humanely slaughtered.
Fig. 601 A hospital pen for orphaned and recovered sick lambs. Do not put sick lambs in with healthy ones until you are sure they are sufficiently recovered.
In today’s busy world, nursing sick sheep does not always get the attention it should. If sick sheep are to be treated rather than slaughtered, they should be separated from others and receive individual attention in a small paddock with shade available in the summer, or kept indoors in the winter, and should either be within sight of other sheep or be given a companion – being isolated from other sheep is very stressful for them. Fresh water and tempting food should be on offer and easily accessible. Recumbent sheep should be placed on a soft bed, turned regularly, and assisted to stand. Progress should be reviewed daily, and if no improvement is made within three to five days, a decision to slaughter on humane grounds should be taken sooner rather than later.
Sick lambs should also receive individual attention, as they will soon succumb to hypothermia if they do not feed regularly. If they are likely to recover quickly with a little extra care, penning with their mother for a little longer and making sure they suck may be all that is necessary. If the cause of illness is serious, they may need to be separated and treated in a hospital pen, but be aware that the ewe is unlikely to accept them back after a period of separation, so arrangements to rear artificially need to be in place, should they recover.
The Humane Slaughter of Sheep and Lambs
Sheep that are lame or unable to stand, and very thin sheep that are unsuitable to go into the food chain, cannot be taken to a market or slaughterhouse and must be dealt with on the farm. The options for dealing with this circumstance are as follows:
Fig. 602 This sheep is acutely ill. Its body condition is good, but the very hollow appearance of its flanks shows it has not eaten recently. It should be examined and given appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
Fig. 603 This sheep had been stuck in a bog overnight and was very cold. Covering her with a blanket and waterproof coat helped warm her up until she could be moved.
- A competent farmer can shoot the animal – in large flocks it may be most practical to have a captive bolt pistol available with a person trained in its correct use. Alternatively, many large farms have shotguns that can also be used by a trained person.
- Call a licensed collector of fallen stock – the collector will humanely slaughter the animal before removal.
- Ask your vet to destroy the animal; this is usually by giving a lethal injection.
Young lambs are a particular problem to deal with. They can be killed humanely by administering a sharp blow to the head, followed by bleeding out, but do not on any account attempt this if you are unsure about the procedure. Again, it is best to ask your vet to deal with them. Further helpful information is available at www.sheepvetsoc.org.uk/docs/Casualtysheep.pdf.
Fig. 604 This Suffolk ram was very thin and unable to stand up. The thinness shows that he was affected by a chronic illness; he was unlikely to recover. Such sheep should be investigated by a vet or humanely slaughtered.
Fig. 605 This recently lambed ewe looks in great pain from a chronic foot problem. Sheep should not be left untreated as this one appears to have been.
Sudden Death or Found Dead
Unless a sheep drops dead in front of you, it is usually difficult to know whether it died suddenly or not, as those animals are rarely under close, continuous observation. With most diseases there will usually be some signs of illness preceding death, but there are a few diseases that run a very rapid course. The most common are:
Fig. 606 Another recumbent ram. The appearance of his hind legs suggests a neurological problem affecting the spine which is very unlikely to be treatable, so again, humane slaughter is indicated.
Fig. 607 This ewe has a very obviously enlarged and painful knee and is not going to recover.
- clostridial diseases in all age groups
- hypomagnesaemia, usually in lactating ewes
- peracute (gangrenous) mastitis
- systemic pasteurellosis, usually in store or fattening lambs
- laryngeal chondritis (swelling and obstruction of the larynx, seen sometimes in highly muscled breeds such as the Texel – extremely noisy and distressed breathing is characteristic of this before death occurs)
- poisoning, such as from copper and some plants
- accidents, such as rams fighting
- acidosis
- abdominal catastrophes (for example, redgut or torsion of the intestines, indicated by severe abdominal pain, bloating, then collapse and death)
- internal parasites such as acute fluke, severe coccidiosis and severe nematodirosis.
These have mostly been described elsewhere in this book. If sheep do die unexpectedly you should consult your vet who will arrange for post-mortem examination and other tests as necessary.
THE DISPOSAL OF DEAD SHEEP AND LAMBS
It is now illegal to bury or burn dead sheep on farm because of possible disease risks. Animals must be collected by, or taken to, an approved collector such as a knacker, hunt kennel or incinerator. A national scheme for dealing with dead animals is available (www.nfsco.co.uk), and this deals with collection and disposal, and centralizes charges, rather than owners having to deal with several different businesses. Alternatively, arrangements can be made directly with a licensed collector if that is preferred. On no account must dead sheep or lambs be left lying around the farm or buildings. Doing so is likely to result in prosecution.
Fig. 608 Dead sheep should be correctly disposed of as soon as possible.
A Final Word
If in doubt about the health and welfare of a sheep, either consult your vet or arrange for humane slaughter as soon as possible. Sick, injured or lame sheep should not be left to suffer. A healthy, productive and/or attractive flock (depending on the reason for keeping sheep) kept to the highest welfare standards should be the aim of every sheep keeper. We hope this book helps achieve these aims.
Fig. 609 Healthy, alert sheep – the goal of every sheep keeper.