Chastity patches on ewe lambs

Connemara Farmer

Yeah it's gonna be one of these threads........

I'm in a position where I'll have to expose 6 replacement ewe lambs to other farmers rams on a particular commonage. Has to be done, needs must, etc. So there's no choice.

Don't ask :rolleyes:

I've seen patches glued onto lambs to stop them being tipped. Are the patches cut out of wool packs, and what type glue is usually used?

Yes, this is a serious question.

More unfortunately I have a good idea the patches will be interfered with, read pulled off but that's another story.

Answers on a postcard.........

greysides

How long will they be exposed for?

Connemara Farmer

Up to one month, possibly less.

greysides

Options to consider, and I'm not completely au fait with these, are aborting the pregnancies on removal, as per cattle. Or using sponges (assuming ewe-lambs are developed enough and the length they are isn't grossly excessive).

foxylock

Connemara Farmer wrote: »

Yeah it's gonna be one of these threads........

I'm in a position where I'll have to expose 6 replacement ewe lambs to other farmers rams on a particular commonage. Has to be done, needs must, etc. So there's no choice.

Don't ask :rolleyes:

I've seen patches glued onto lambs to stop them being tipped. Are the patches cut out of wool packs, and what type glue is usually used?

Yes, this is a serious question.

More unfortunately I have a good idea the patches will be interfered with, read pulled off but that's another story.

Answers on a postcard.........

reading this brought back memories of the grandfather. He used fert bags as they were slippy and was another obstacle for ram. He used to thread one side of the bag with cord and that go around the body, similar situation on both legs and another around the neck to stop it slipping off, no glue. Mental now that I think of it. Then again he did squeeze two of the neighbours rams when he let them onto commonage thinking they were too soft!! I reckon twill break your heart.

Connemara Farmer

I'm not at all keen on the abortions idea.

With sponges how long is too long and are there potential issues for the animal inc fertility down the line?

They're decent lambs, going by the 60% of adult weight rule they're fit to breed, but I don't breed lambs (managed to get that notion out of my head).

Connemara Farmer

foxylock wrote: »

reading this brought back memories of the grandfather. He used fert bags as they were slippy and was another obstacle for ram. He used to thread one side of the bag with cord and that go around the body, similar situation on both legs and another around the neck to stop it slipping off, no glue. Mental now that I think of it. Then again he did squeeze two of the neighbours rams when he let them onto commonage thinking they were too soft!! I reckon twill break your heart.

I squeezed a neighbor's ram on a different commonage (oh yeah these are some of the commonages the Dept say EVERYONE get's along on ) on Wednesday morning. Bastard had already tipped some of my ewes, won't know how many until Spring.

supersean1999

Iv read it all now. The village virgins out on the hill ��

supersean1999

Imo rams should not be let out on hills without agreement

Connemara Farmer

supersean1999 wrote: »

Iv read it all now. The village virgins out on the hill ��

Am sure I could come up with a few more surprises for you yet

It's one of them fabricated situations I just have to deal with. Must find out what type of glue they use at the mart.

supersean1999

Connemara Farmer wrote: »

Am sure I could come up with a few more surprises for you yet

It's one of them fabricated situations I just have to deal with. Must find out what type of glue they use at the mart.

If you smell trouble with the neighbours. Dont let them off. Find some small garden and buy a bag of meal. Or a few bales of hay. Its not worth the hassle

foxylock

Connemara Farmer wrote: »

I squeezed a neighbor's ram on a different commonage (oh yeah these are some of the commonages the Dept say EVERYONE get's along on ) on Wednesday morning. Bastard had already tipped some of my ewes, won't know how many until Spring.

why are lads still letting rams onto commonage? Would not be tolerated here. Even the ram lambs are swept off the hill by the end if september,if not ....,,fair game.

Connemara Farmer

Connemara Farmer wrote: »

Has to be done, needs must, etc. So there's no choice.

The above, so back to patches

greysides

Connemara Farmer wrote: »

I'm not at all keen on the abortions idea.

With sponges how long is too long and are there potential issues for the animal inc fertility down the line?

A quick google suggested sponges could be left in for up to 19 days under normal use conditions. I doubt they'd be any effect on future fertility from a hormone point of view. CIDRs are used happily in cattle and it's a similar principle. Different story if they developed bad infections. The cervix should be closed and it should be okay but.....if they're intended for breeding the worst that can happen with your idea is still within normal practice.

ganmo

you always have the strangest things on con. so you want somethin to stop your lambs being tipped and if its a cover it might be cut off?
sponges might be the best bet, not sure how long the chemical lasts on them though, and there should be minimal fertility issues

razor8

Estrumate is also another option, could be given after a month or so

Ard_MC

Connemara Farmer wrote: »

Yeah it's gonna be one of these threads........

I'm in a position where I'll have to expose 6 replacement ewe lambs to other farmers rams on a particular commonage. Has to be done, needs must, etc. So there's no choice.

Don't ask :rolleyes:

I've seen patches glued onto lambs to stop them being tipped. Are the patches cut out of wool packs, and what type glue is usually used?

Yes, this is a serious question.

More unfortunately I have a good idea the patches will be interfered with, read pulled off but that's another story.

Answers on a postcard.........

I thought I had problems on my commonage!! Mine are all down for the tupping by about 3 weeks before others gather as the "missing" numbers sharply rise if you leave them too long.

Think i would be going for the ram or swapping the lambs with a few ewes, if he is a good enough ram!!

J.O. Farmer

Connemara Farmer wrote: »

Am sure I could come up with a few more surprises for you yet

It's one of them fabricated situations I just have to deal with. Must find out what type of glue they use at the mart.

The glue used in marts I think is evostik impact contact adhesive. We use it to put heat detection patches on cows and it works well.

Bleating Lamb

Tbh Con,know your saying you have 'no choice' but to put them out to hill but you are asking for trouble....within a five mile radius of home you should be able to get a farming neighbour who would rent you a small byre for nominal fee,on agreement you clean it out after and as another poster said put yet lambs in there and give them some hay,peace of mind will be worth it.

MayoAreMagic

Have seen it done in the past. The best effort I have seen is a type of canvas material glued over the backend of the lamb using the glue they use in the mart. It has a good take to the glue where a meal bag wouldnt be great. Some fall off but most remain intact for as long as required. Don't forget to leave enough space for them to pass urine etc. Out of interest, if you think the bags will be pulled off, (bad form) then wouldn't you be better leaving the lambs in your own field with your ewes and ram, with the bags on them? Same difference isn't it? Or would they get pulled off in there too?!

95% of rams are run on the commonage in our area. It is just part and parcel of it unfortunately. People generally run the sheep and ram on the commonage and keep the lambs in the field for the few weeks.

Connemara Farmer

Lambs have to go into that commonage, that's all there is to it

Would wool pack material do, or is there something better?

MayoAreMagic

It probably would do the job, but maybe not stay on as long. Plus that is a woven plastic material isn't it? Some of it would probably flitter away after it was cut into smaller pieces. If the rams wont be there for months and months then it should do the job.

Also, openly squeezing neighbours rams out there con, with another guy making it their business to see your ewe lambs get tipped - it sounds like the wild west!