Chunky Monkey gang

Billy having a 'bad hair day'

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Bad day all round. Tried to treat a lame ewe. Unfortunately shes not one thats been handled so wild as wild can be. Tied her to the gate in the field. She throws herself up in the air, at the gate multiple times trying to break her legs. Because she threw herself around the halter unbeknown to me got tighter and tighter under her chin. She stood so i proceeded to foot dip her back leg. Next thing shes collapsing her back end onto the floor. I look at her front end and realised she was now hanging. I quickly untied the lead, released the tension under the throat. She literally drops her head down into my lap. I really thought she was dead. Im massaging her throat, neck and chest, she throws her head up in the air, gasping. Her tongue was blue as blue. In all my years ive never had one that close to death. Its why i hate trying to do anything with unhandled sheep on my own. Eventually she recovered enough. Suddenly jumped up, and bolted across the field. Her lameness can wait till i can enlist some more help. Im not attempting to treat that nut job again on my own.
In trying to deal with her i somehow also winded myself. I ended up lying in the field till the pain in my side subsided.

Then to top my day off, Roger the ram has fly strike. I had to call a friend to come and help me. We had fun trying to catch him. No chance. In the end we walked them right up to the top of the field. Pinned all the boys in the corner between the fence and hayrack. As soon as i got close and got hold of Rogers horn and he was very docile. Looked at his head and apart from wet and some scaring round the base of the ear couldnt see a single thing. But i knew something was seriously wrong as he'd been laying away from the other boys. I applied some fly treatment on his head and suddenly it came alive. Hundreds of maggots started crawling out the hair on the top of his head. They had clearly burrowed into the skin. We were literally scraping them off.
The fly treatment should kill all the maggots but i supect his hair is going to fall out. They were all treated with fly prevention 6 weeks ago but its on its limits for lasting effectiveness. It just shows what mild weather we are having. Wouldnt normally need to retreat at this time of year.
 
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Jessey said:
It’s so gross when maggots do that, yuk! Glad the ewe was ok! Bet she won’t fight the halter next time!
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I bet she will. Shes an 18 month old teenager. So not lambed, so no maternal or mature brain cells. Other than to die!!!!!!!!! It really did frighten me yesterday. I never realised how easy it was to kill a sheep. Another 10 seconds i think she would have been gone.

One one of the down sides to not giving them feed everyday. They are quieter when feed.
Ive tried this year to do the sheep off grass instead of buying in food. Its so expensive now. Ive token feed everyday for 20 years. Ive cut back on sheep numbers to allow for more grass and hope its enough. I make such a loss on the sheep its not worth the effort. With spiralling feed costs and all the other overheads i have to find a way to be more self sufficient. So ive decided to try doing off grass where possible. They will get hard feed when the weather hits and at lambing time. Theres plenty of grass currently and i have plenty of hay in the barn.
Shes still alive. Bad news is the little bit of treatment she got isnt enough. Shes still lame. Not horrific so im happy to leave it a few days. My friend might have to come and help with the ram again so i will get some help with her too. Im not strong enough to put them on the floor myself. Its all in the technique supposedly. Adam Henson makes it look easy in the tv. I can only put the light weights down.

Ram still looks subdued, couldnt actually catch him this morning but got close enough to check him. The treatment he got yesterday will keep killing any new hatching maggots for several weeks. So theres not much more i can do currently. I expect hes got one hell of a sore head. It depends how far under the skin the maggots got, as to how much damage there really is.
Hes not mixing with his mates. So if he does start mixing it will indicate if hes feeling better. Its one of the reasons i realised he wasnt right. Again its the downside of not feeding. You cant get close enough to sheep. In 4 weeks hes due to go in with his ladies. So if that doesnt perk him up, nothing will.
 
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Hopefully your friend can help you get both sorted 🤞

A lot of people around here have done similar to reduce costs, putting out fodder beet is a common thing here as it’s cheap.
 
Things are not going to well.
Thought Roger was picking up albeit slowly, so let him go out in a paddock on his own, back in the shed overnight for a few days. Went Thurs morning he could hardly stand up. Hes had the remainder of the bottle of antibiotic i had left. Came to the conclusion hes lame on his hind, so foot trimmed this morning but cant find anything obvious. Took him for a little walk but hes breathing heavy and has got a snotty nose. Not eating either so something is very wrong.
Jonah has developed an abcess on his hind leg. His arthritis is dire now. He keeps having punch ups with Rocky and or gates and split his head open. Which is ousing puss. Had to treat for maggots as i spotted eggs on the head. Rockys tumour on his chest is just constant weeping.

A number of my old ewes are showing signs of arthritis. So im going to take them up the market. But one wont be able to go as her arthritis has kicked in in the last 2 weeks.

Seriously considering having all 3 rams put down.
Its been on the cards for the 2.
I will have to have a vet visit for Roger to get more antibiotics. But ive now read that after fly strike in the head they can go infertile. I was going to use him this year for the ladies but hes not fit at all so im without a ram. I will have to rapidly go and buy a new one. I didnt go to the sales last month as i didnt need a new ram so trying to source any decent in the next two weeks will be impossible. I really question why im buying it seems i cant look after what ive got. Reality is though that ive got a number of old sheep but they all seem to be showing there age all at once.

I have a cow gone very lame too. Shes lost an eartag so i will have to order a replacement so i can book her in at the abbatoir. Or i might just have the knackerman do her. Im not sure its worth running up a huge vet bill but if i have them out for Roger i might get them to look at her.

Then theres the boys. If i get the knackerman out im going to call it on them too. Ive been putting it off. Chunky took time to improve after his trim but hes still pretty lame. But seems happy enough eating. Billy i keep umming over. Hes just so happy especially when he looses his sh1t mind like he did this morning bucking, kicking and farting but theres no denying his lameness. It stops him dead with the pain then 30 seconds later hes bucking, farting and kicking out again.

Im on part day Monday so ive got 48 hours to get my head around what to do and some phone calls to make monday morning. This week has really got me on a downward spiral. Ive been putting all these old animals off, but right now it feels like a huge proportion of my animals have something wrong. I know its not as bad as that really but its really getting to me.
 
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chunky monkey said:
Things are not going to well.
Thought Roger was picking up albeit slowly, so let him go out in a paddock on his own, back in the shed overnight for a few days. Went Thurs morning he could hardly stand up. Hes had the remainder of the bottle of antibiotic i had left. Came to the conclusion hes lame on his hind, so foot trimmed this morning but cant find anything obvious. Took him for a little walk but hes breathing heavy and has got a snotty nose. Not eating either so something is very wrong.
Jonah has developed an abcess on his hind leg. His arthritis is dire now. He keeps having punch ups with Rocky and or gates and split his head open. Which is ousing puss. Had to treat for maggots as i spotted eggs on the head. Rockys tumour on his chest is just constant weeping.

A number of my old ewes are showing signs of arthritis. So im going to take them up the market. But one wont be able to go as her arthritis has kicked in in the last 2 weeks.

Seriously considering having all 3 rams put down.
Its been on the cards for the 2.
I will have to have a vet visit for Roger to get more antibiotics. But ive now read that after fly strike in the head they can go infertile. I was going to use him this year for the ladies but hes not fit at all so im without a ram. I will have to rapidly go and buy a new one. I didnt go to the sales last month as i didnt need a new ram so trying to source any decent in the next two weeks will be impossible. I really question why im buying it seems i cant look after what ive got. Reality is though that ive got a number of old sheep but they all seem to be showing there age all at once.

I have a cow gone very lame too. Shes lost an eartag so i will have to order a replacement so i can book her in at the abbatoir. Or i might just have the knackerman do her. Im not sure its worth running up a huge vet bill but if i have them out for Roger i might get them to look at her.

Then theres the boys. If i get the knackerman out im going to call it on them too. Ive been putting it off. Chunky took time to improve after his trim but hes still pretty lame. But seems happy enough eating. Billy i keep umming over. Hes just so happy especially when he looses his sh1t mind like he did this morning bucking, kicking and farting but theres no denying his lameness. It stops him dead with the pain then 30 seconds later hes bucking, farting and kicking out again.

Im on part day Monday so ive got 48 hours to get my head around what to do and some phone calls to make monday morning. This week has really got me on a downward spiral. Ive been putting all these old animals off, but right now it feels like a huge proportion of my animals have something wrong. I know its not as bad as that really but its really getting to me.
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the old lame cow would one of the charities take her? If billy is still bucking and being a twat, i would keep him. It's really difficult when you have such a bloody awful combination all at once and can't see the wood from the trees. We have lost 4 cats this year, all kidney failure. It just takes it out of you
 
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I’m so sorry it’s all coming at once, you obviously care for all of your animals into their old age but time still keeps marching on, sadly xx
 
Rogers been to the vets this morning.

Vets at a bit of a lose with him too. We have some different antibiotics to give and hes had some buscopan as he reacted a bit to being pushed and poked. They scanned his belly. No fluid build up. Temperature is fine.

Rang knackerman and waiting for him to come back with a time and day. But i told him the sheep were urgent. Im still on the fence with the horses but i think i need to let Chunky go.

Ordered eartag for cow. Abbatoir possibly too busy to take the cow this week. Waiting on a call back. Plus she cant go until i get the second tag back in her ear. It hopefully will come tomorrow. Shes still on her feet eating grass in the field and should be able to travel the short trip but if i leave it too long she will not be classed as fit to travel.
 
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It is with great sadness that i write this.
Today i have said goodbye to Chunky and Billy, my beloved horses.
Jonah, Rocky and 141 my beloved sheep.

I am broken and feel very empty but at the same time i feel huge relief.

It will hit me shortly im sure when i go out to an empty field.
 
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I’m so sorry to read this but know you have done everything possible for them all and that it was absolutely the right decision xx
 
This week really is a week to forget.
Saturday evening was hard going out to pick up the horses rugs from the fields. I collapsed in a heap and cried into the rugs. Quin came over and barked his head off at me. If only we could understand dog language.
Ive had a few melt downs whilst at work. When im on my own and have time to reflect it hits me.
Sunday morning i go to feed someones cat. Come out to find i have a flat tyre. So go to change wheel to discover the spare is flat to. So i have to ring my insurance breakdown services. They sent a low loader lorry and took me to the nearest garage. My car has odd size tyres so they arent stocked so i have to leave the car at the garage and arrange for my brother to come pick me up. He gets in my mums car to come get me, the battery is dead, it was only charged the week before. So we charged that overnight and first thing Monday before work i had to go get a new battery for that.
I had to arrange for someone to take me to the garage Monday night to get my car.
Tuesday should have been a straight forward day. Nope i go to feed the ram lambs. To find a dog in the field, not in with the lambs but next field over. Long story short, its a dog belonging to someone i know. I catch the dog. Its covered in blood. I hear scrabbling and shrill cries in the hedge, so secure the dog to a gate, go investigate to find a monkjack deer in the brambles hanging in the stock fence by its horns. Its that small squared hi- tensile mesh so it doesnt give easy. Owner arrives and we extract deer. Ripped to shreds. Owner carries it back to my place. I quickly make up the dog crate i have and we put it in there in my kitchen with a blanket over. Friend rings wildlife rescue they said if its a deer with significant injuries then they just put it to sleep. So hes better to take to his local vet. Wildlife centre is some distance away. We loaded the deer into friends car and hes was going to take it to one of the vet practices. Havent heard the outcome. Will see friend Saturday as hes coming to help trim sheeps feet with me. They lost the dog on the top of the hill. They never saw it take off after the deer. But between where they lost dog and where it was was nearly a mile away.
Today i had to take Florette the cow to the abbatoir. She developed some lameness and seemed generally stiff through her body. Its been going on a few weeks and i couldnt put my finger on it. So we decided whilst she was still up and grazing it was better to let her go rather than having a huge disposal bill if she didnt come sound. So this morning hitch up trailer in the dark onto my car. Indicators and lights not all working. After much fiddling i just said I'll take mums car instead. So swap over. Got lights, but only one indicator. Brother changes bulb, hey presto. So drive down load cow. Drive down my road, turn out the end of road onto the hill. I have absolutely no power. I crawled up the hill doing 5mph. Get onto flat bit change up gear, still no power. I had to put my hazards on as im crawling along. No where to stop sensibly or turn round. I get to the end of the 3 miles of road eventually onto the roundabout. Go round and head straight back home. The most i got up to was 25mph. Got home, unhitch and rehitch back onto my car. Still not all lights but at least i had indicators. By this time its light anyway. I was supposed to be at the abbatoir for 8am. I got there at 9.30. Ive only ever been to this place once before. I only knew of one entrance. So drove in come face to face with an artic being loaded up with cattle. He needs to leave, im completely in his way. So i have to back out the yard, up hill and on a bend and back up a lane so he can get out. He then informs me i would have been better to come in the other entrance. Having been 1st in the yard. With all the faffing and eventually coming in the other entrance im like 4th in the queue. So i have to wait to offload. Your also suppose to clease and disinfect your vehicle so i then have to wait for an available slot to wash out. Yard was like slop. I got home at 12 covered in cow sh1t. Then had to go to work.
Tomorrow morning im taking my 2 old retired girls, mastitis and skinny ewe up to the cull market. Rush home go to work, come home to get mum to take her to the hospital, then back to work.
Like i said i have had a crap week. I have a distinct death halo all round me. Thats 10 animals ive let go this week. Plus dealt with a deer.
Ive also booked in the 9 ram lambs to go mid November.

Roger looked to be picking up over the weekend. However i was still questioning his stance. Tonight the way he moved in the shed and went down as he turned quickly round has convinced me there is something wrong with his hind quarters. So either where he had the fly strike the maggots got into part if his brain causing neurological issues which have affected his spine. Or he has a completely separate spinial injury. We were going to put him in with the ladies this weekend. It looks as though i might have him put down and go buy a new ram.
My mum has not been well this week either. Her legs have been pouring fluid from further up the leg above the knee. Theyve never leaked there. Her chest seems really bad and shes been calling out in her sleep in pain. Im very concerned and have a feeling she might be heading for a hospital stay.
Not sure how much more i can take.
 
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I don't know what to say apart from look after yourself because, despite how it may feel right now, it sounds like you're looking after everyone else first. I hope the hospital can help your mum, what a worry for you xxx
 
I should say well done if you have just read that post. Having written it all out i think it has helped me clear my head a bit. Its been such a whirlwind week. Theres been times where ive cried over the horses but actually because ive been so busy its probably helped me get through it better.
I really have had to try and do the right thing for my animals. It must sound like i do a terrible job caring for my animals. Especially on a week like this. I never seem to report all the healthy happy animals i have. Ive always been a negative person.
 
That really has been a week not to remember. No wonder you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, definitely take some time for yourself.
 
Starting the day looking through For Sale ads for a new ram. Not looking forward to what lies ahead in the next few hours.
Also had confirmation that someone wants to buy the last few ewe lambs from this year. So it looks like they will be gone too over the weekend.

Hoping next week will be time for me. Im not going to have much to do. New autumn routine will come into place with clock change this weekend. So all main animal checks will be done in the morning. But that will leave me with nothing now to do of an evening. Hoping i can start walking again in the evening with Quin. My goal is to loose the weight ive put on in the last couple of years. Then i will start looking for a new horse. I joked that both the horses i brought were brought in December if i stick to that theme wont give me long. Seriously im not going to rush the horse search but it would be nice to find something for next spring. In the meantime im going to book some riding lessons or preferably hacks somewhere. Its 3 years since i rode properly. I had a couple of sits on the boys in that time but they dont count. I need to find out if i can still ride especially now i have a dodgy hip.
 
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