New sheep about to lamb, not vaccinated or wormed. What do I do please?

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4 years 2 months
Last seen: 09/02/2020 - 17:56
Joined: 08/31/2020 - 14:46

New sheep about to lamb, not vaccinated or wormed. What do I do please?

Hi, I've just purchased some 2-3yo Dorper girls and they've come from a property where they've run around pretty much untouched. They haven't been wormed or vaccinated since they were bought as babies by the previous owners. They are in good condition so I don't think they're too wormy but I obviously want to drench them anyway. The thing is that two of them look ready to lamb at any moment and the others aren't far behind. I'm wondering if it's safe to worm and vaccinate this close to lambing or whether I should hold off? Any advice appreciated.

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Last seen: 10/31/2024 - 16:48
Joined: 02/28/2011 - 14:19

Hi Sarah,

Welcome to the small farming forum and thanks for the question.

If the ewe is only a few days off lambing I would hold off as you could cause stress on the ewe and unborn lamb and it wont be enough time for her to pass on any immunity. Once the lamb is born you can vaccine them with a 5 in 1 or 6 in 1 at 4 to 6 weeks of age. 

Regarding the drenching, its not ideal to drench unless worm numbers are high enough to warrant it as you can build up resistance. That said and with time critical and insufficient time to conduct a feacal egg count I would probably do it as a precaution as you don't want the ewe passing a worm burden onto her lamb.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Charlie

Last seen: 09/02/2020 - 17:56
Joined: 08/31/2020 - 14:46

Thanks Charlie! Yes, very helpful. Cheers

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