DANGER TO LAMBS

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19889, 19 May 1936, Page 2

DANGER TO LAMBS

WARNING BY DEPARTMENT SAFEGUARDS AGAINST SCOURING. EFFECT OF ABNORMAL GROWTH. During the past month sheep farmers in the Waikato have experienced no tn. i’l amount of difff*, tRy in coping with the scouring amongst lambs and hoggets. Owing to the abnormal seasonal conditions during the past summer and autumn, resulting in prolific growth of pastures producing feed conditions which are anything but ideal for sheep and lambs, there is now a grave possibility of serious losses during the winter period. For some time past scouring has been much in evidence amongst lambs and hoggets, and officers of the Live-stock Division have been issuing advice to sheepowners in all districts to adopt measures calculating to prevent or minimise the antilcpated losses. Sheepowners, however, do not appear to be sufficiently alive to the danger. Not only have the wet feed conditions been unfavourable to the proper nutrition of the growing sheep, but they have been eminently favourable to heavy worm infestation. Scouring is very evident in all districts at the present time. While worm infestation plays a large part in this, the farmer must realise that the feed conditions are also a highly important factor.

The feed being unsuitable and with the lusli pastures favouring worm Infestation this brings about a vicious cycle inasmuch as the under-nourish-ment, of the animal makes it the easier prey to the parasites which infest it. It will be apparent from this that not only must the stock be treated to control worm infestation, but careful consideration to provide better feed conditions is still more essential. Worm Drenoh Rooommended. The worm drench now recommended by the Live-stock Division is a mixture or lib copper sulphate (bluestone) and 16 fluid ounces of commercial nicotine sulphate in 5 gallons of water ,3 ounces of each to the gallon is sufficiently near when mixing smaller quantities). The dose is from half ounce for weak lambs and one ounce for stronger hoggets. There is no need to starve the animals previous to drenching, in fact it is better not to do so. Dosing should be repeated at 2 —3 week intervals throughout the winter.

Regarding the adjustment of the feed, this is admittedly a matter of considerable difficulty in many cases. Tho best course to adopt where it is at all practicable is to remove the lambs and hoggets from the lush pastures to higher and drier land where the feed is more suitable for this species. !f this is done and drenching is carried out as recommended, good results can be anticipated. Belenoe Ration Necessary. Where proper grazing for sheep is not available and it is unavoidable that they be kept on this lush feed, every endeavour must be made to balance the ration and provide additional fibre as well as nutriment. A supply of good hay (preferably lucerne or clover) and a dally ration of chaff can be regarded as highly beneficial. For lambs and hoggets that are going back In condition the provision of a little oats mixed in the chaff lias a good effect. In addition to such measures as these, control of the pasture by the use of cattle, and even, where possible, by mowing must be considered. The point to be stressed is that sheep, especially lambs and hoggets, require short feed and can-, not be expected to thrive on long rank growth. There is undoubtedly scope for the greater use of hay In tlie wintering of hoggets, and while many claim that hay will not be eaten when green feed is available, it is a fact that the stud breeder overcomes this difficulty and it should therefore not prove impossible in the management of ordinary flocks. Tho advantage of using some dry feed in a season like the present one lies in increasing the fibre content of the soft feed, in providing variety in the diet, in assisting to prevent scours, and above all in providing a supplement which can be guaranteed to be free from the eggs and larvae of the several varieties of parasitic worms which undermine the health of our hogget flocks. The successful wintering of hoggets is in many cases a spedaised branch of sheep husbandry requiring close shepherding and observation an«l a close study of feeding and attention to detail in management.