Sheep Health | windingridgefarm

Selecting healthy animals is the cornerstone of a successful sheep operation. Therefore, purchasing from a reputable source is vital. Winding Ridge Farm implements a biosecurity plan to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases within our flock. Most diseases of a contagious nature are introduced into operations when new animals are brought into the flock. Disease transmission from a single newly introduced animal can affect the health of the entire flock.

It is not recommended that breeding stock be purchased from a sale barn; i.e., stockyard. While at the sale barn, even a healthy sheep or lamb will come in contact with other animals from various farms that may be infected with contagious diseases. Consequently, purchasing animals from sale barns greatly increases the risk of a new disease entering your farm and infecting your flock. Additionally, you may acquire sheep that other farmers have decided to cull for reasons that aren't visible on the surface, such as low parasite resistance, frequent lambing difficulties, low fertility or sterile, poor mothering ability, or other health or performance issue.

Select Sheep From A Trusted Source

Common sheep health issues that can be introduced to your flock when purchasing from unreliable sources:

Foot Rot

A contagious infection of the hoof resulting in separation of the hardened portion from the underlying sensitive areas. Symptoms of foot rot include limping, reluctance to walk and grazing on knees. The sole and sidewall of the infected foot will appear ragged and rotten with the presence of a characteristic foul odor. Highly contagious and difficult to eradicate once introduced to a farm, foot rot in sheep results in severe lameness and economic loss from decreased flock production.

Low Parasite Resistance

Internal parasites (worms) are the most common health problem of domestic sheep, especially young lambs. Some sheep will exhibit lower resistance to internal parasites than others, and thus pass those genetics to their offspring. Internal parasites in sheep and lambs result in weight loss, anemia and death if not detected early. Common symptoms include scours, weight loss, pale mucous membranes surrounding the eye and fluid accumulation under the sheep's jaw, known as "bottle-jaw".