RAPE SCALD IN LAMBS.

Dominion, Issue 1337, 15 January 1912, Page 8

RAPE SCALD IN LAMBS.

VIEWS OF AX EXPERT. liape scald in lambs is not at all uncommon among lambs, when on rape and doing well; in fact, tho better the lambs aro 'doing the greater the likelihood of the trouble making its appearance. It is really, according to "Vies-e," the veterinary expert in the "fanners' Union Advocate,'" inflninmfltion of tho skin often affecting the skin of the ears, at times that of the face also, and frequently developing in tho skin, about the wether and on tho back. The cause is to be found in tho development o£ a stato of, over-nutrition, combined with, anil partly induced by, a lock of sufficient exercise. Rape is a rich, stimulating food, and the conditions under which it is usually fed enablo tlio lambs to feed freely upon it, without needing to take exercise in order to obtain a sufficiency. Tho result is a gradual accumulation in the system of deleterious material, which is not being tarried out of the body as it should by tho exercise of tho ordinary natural functions of the animal, and the presence of this in the circulation causes first irritation and later inflammation of portions of the skin. • While many lambs are affected in only a mild way, others aro apt to suffer in health and even die, if relief is not given to the overcharged system by a change to lighter diet, and greater rango of movement. Apart from the question of health, tho damage to the pelts must bo borne in mind, tliey being depreciated in value, as a result of tho changes in tho tissues of the skin where it is affected. The necessity for getting lambs into good markctaolo condition early, is naturally of primary importance, and tho valuo of rape feeding for this purpose cannot be ignored. It is necessary, however, 'that a careful watch be kep't on lambs when on rape, in order that the development of skin trouble of this kind can 1m noted when it first makes its appearance, and the necessary measure taken of giving tho lambs a chango of feed, for a few days, frequently on to a light grass padiioC\ l, ' J '' lis mean s arresting somewhat the fattening process, but it 'is the least of two evils. Given good management, and ., llll early noting of tho appearance ot the trouble a few davs change is all that is necessary, and the animals can then bo put back on the rape paddocks, though careful observation is still necessary in order that a possible recurrence ot the condition may be promptly noted and dealt with. Farmers often say that they prefer to take the risk of loss from {•ape scald rather than throw their lambs hack. That is a matter for each man's consideration, but it requires considering carefully especially from the point of view that once condition of bodv, which induces rape scald is established,'the process of bodily development and fattening docs not. go on at tho same rate as before seeing that tho body's energy has to be largely direoted to the endeavour to throw off the excess oi injurious matter winch is accumulating in the system \Vhere only a few individual lambs are iislc may be worth taking, but if a good proportion develop the trouble and e' time should be lost in giv ng/tho entire mob. a chango of food for aShort time