Hi,
I know the sheep haven't had fevers, nor have they had much stress, except
lambing -- which the ram didn't do :) So I don't think illness is a factor.
Wool rot, though, could be a possibility, though it seems strange that only
the older sheep are losing fleece. The younger ewes, one who lambed and the
others who didn't, still have all their fleece. The sheep all have access to
three different barns/shelters, but usually choose to stay out most of the
time. When I'd bury my fingers in their fleece, their skin would be totally
dry..... hmmmm...... but I wonder if it isn't just moist enough to have
caused wool break.... this didn't happen last year, of course, because they
were all naked by now! Kind of sad to see all that fleece everywhere but on
the sheep.... sniff.....
Margot Grim
Grim's Faerytale Farm
Woodinville, WA
From: Lynn & Terry Chapin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Was Spin Off survey:Now Molting
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2007 20:03:12 -0700
It really has been a wet winter in the Pacific Northwest! I am not a
shepherd, but I would wonder if perhaps your sheep are experiencing some
kind of wool rot? If the constant rain we've been having caused the
fleeces to become wet down to the skin, and kept the water from
evaporating, the fleece could get a fungus down near the skin where it's
nice and warm. That could cause it to break and slough off. The back
would be the part that would stay wettest. Just out of curiosity, do your
sheep have shelter in their pasture?
Lynn C
Seattle
sheep are losing much of their fleece -- starting with the back, so that
they have this "friar tuck" thing goin' on. Some have now lost most of
their fleece. Though I'm sad to lose the fleece, I'm kind of interested in
what's going on here.... I've heard of sheep "rooing" but don't know if
that's what I'm seeing. We have had an awful, wet NW winter, and I know
there are lice, and so treating everyone with Eprinex.
Margot Grim
Grim's Faerytale Farm
Woodinville, WA
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