HEALTHY HOGGETS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 53, 13 February 1934, Page 11

HEALTHY HOGGETS

REDUCE FLOCK LOSSES advisability of drenching. KILLS INTESTINAL PARASITES. With farmers paying considerably higher prices for their ewes this season, a greater interest in the welfare of the sheep is only sound business. To lose a ewe valued at 7/- is not such a loss as one worth 20/- and consequently by preventing and reducing stock losses, the monetary loss can be substantially cut down. By treating the sheep with drenches and keeping them in good condition, Hawke’s Bay farmers will find that the financial advantages accruing from these practices will more than compensate for the extra Work and monetary outlay required.

In the years gone by liver fluke was a scourge in Hawke's Bay sheep flocks as many farmers know to theii cost. To-day as a result of research work carried out by the Department ®f Agriculture and the practical application by farmers of remedial measures indicated as a result of this research, liver fluke is not regarded in the same light Where farmer! arc buying-in ewes It is always a wise practice to dose these sheep prior to putting them oat with the rest of the floek. Not all and perhaps not any of the purchased ewes may be infected with fluke but it is always a wise precaution to treat these •heep. In this way possible infection •f the remainder of the flock may be •voided. TREATMENT OF FLUKE. Directly the sheep arrive on the property they should bo given a good steal, and after this they should be yarded. Dosing with carbon tetraehloride is generally regarded as the best drug to use for the treatment of liver fluke, as it has a toxic effect on the fluke and will cause many of them to be killed. If thought necessary dosing may be repeated prior to putting the ewes out with the rest of the flock. For worms and other intestinal parasites treatment at this time of the year is recommended. By taking active Steps at the present time a considerable percentage of the annual flock losses can be avoided. It is with the hoggets and younger sheep that uiu«h of the mortality occurs, the chief cause of loss being the stomach Worms. There are two stomach worms, the large and the small parasites. The large worm is more easily controlled •f the two, as the small worm adheres closer to the stomach lining and is not •ffected to such a degree by any drenches that may be given. General unthriftiness of affected sheep is the main visible symptom, and this leads to an anaemic condition in the animals. Chiefly the fourth stomach is affected and if the condition is not •becked, death frequently supervenes. COPPER SULPHATE DOSES. There are a number of proprietary drenches on the market to-day which have given quite good results in the treatment of intestinal parasites but the farmer who prefers to make up his own medicine will find copper sulphate very satisfactory. This is made up by dissolving 4ozs. of clear copper sulphate crystals in a pint of boiling water. To this is added sufficient water to make 3 gallons of liquid. This is sufficient to dose 100 hoggets, giving • two-ounce dose. Prior to dosing the sheep should be fasted for twelve hours. After dosing the sheep should be held in the yards for about three hours and then turned •ut to pasture. Any droppings should be gathered and burned. By repeating this treatment at regular monthly or six-monthly intervals, sheep should be kept relatively free from worms at a small cost. Besides the medicinal side of treating intestinal parasites, correct feeding will also influence the degree of mortality. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is what the human being is told, and with sheep proper feeding and management is just as essential By giving the hoggets and young sheep a supply of good nutritious fodder, the sheep are kept in good condition and are hence able to withstand attacks of worms. Over-fat condition is not wanted but an active healthy condition. PASTURE PRECEDENCE. , In the matter of pastures hoggets ■hould always have precedence over the older sheep. They should be put on to pastures before the ewes and wethers have a chance of contaminating the ground. In the winter months the hoggets should be put on the driest and sunniest slopes available and should not be put on lowlying damp areas which are frequently Infested with parasites. In Hawke’s Bay the greatest losse- 1 in tho young sheep frequently occur where the land is heavily stocked and owners have consequent difficulty in providing clean pastures for the hog gets. This is where the owner of tho bigger and less heavily stocked run scores as he is able to move the young sheep on to clean fields ar.d new pastures as required. The provision of suitable drinkingplaces is also important. Floek owners should not allow their young stock to graze or drink on wet and swampy areas. "Hill slopes for healthy hoggets" is a maxim that Hawke’s Bay farmers can with profit remember. Hill slopes •re better drained, parasites are washed away, and consequently hoggets have less chance of parasitic infection. Reduced floek losses mean many pounds more in returns to Hawke’s Bay. .