Difference between revisions of "Ovine"

Revision as of 16:03, 4 April 2019

Handling of Ovines

When working with ovines, be very calm and gentle in your approach. Ovines are suspicious by nature, nervous animals that spook easily if you yell or handle them roughly. When handling your ovine, use a rope halter. If possible, it is best to have someone available to assist you. Once caught, some ovines will automatically lay down, and you can have your assistant cradle the head and pet them while you are working on them. Always offer lots of affection, praise and treats even if they are difficult. Positive reinforcement will lead to a better response from your ovines in the future.

Health Care of Ovines

Maintenance

Ovines are relatively easy to take care of. Sanitary housing, good quality pasture, nutritious food and plenty of sunshine will greatly help to reduce health problems. Ovines need their hooves trimmed every 4-6 sevendays. This is very important as neglect can lead to lameness and infection. A Beastcrafter teach the proper way to perform this procedure. Ovines also need to be shorn once a year in the spring. UNLESS YOU HAVE HAD TRAINING, HAVE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO SHEAR OVINES PERFORM THE TASK. A Beastcrafter will know of individuals in the area who know how to shear ovines.

During your daily contact with ovines, always be on the lookout for any physical or behavioral changes. Symptoms indicating illness include loss of appetite, weakness or staggering, labored or fast breathing, diarrhea, or above normal temperature. Consult a Beastcrafter immediately if of these symptoms are noticed.

Common health problems

• Upper Respiratory Problems - A respiratory problem is any condition which affects the ovines's breathing. Symptoms include nasal discharge, excessive coughing or sneezing, loss of appetite, and raised body temperatures. Consult a Beastcrafter immediately if of these symptoms are noticed.

• Bloat - This is a serious condition commonly caused by overeating grain or new pasture. Preventative steps should be taken to stop bloat from occurring. Do not put ovines out on new pasture until their digestive systems are adjusted to that type of food. Be especially careful with fields of rapidly growing plants. Gradually introduce ovines to new pasture by bringing them some of the new pasture for a few days along with their regular hay. Then turn them out for only a few candlemarks at a time, making sure that the field is not wet, as a wet field is more likely to cause bloat than a dry field. Make sure feed barrels and bags are completely inaccessible. The first obvious symptoms of bloat are distension of the abdomen, labored breathing, and signs of discomfort such as kicking, grinding teeth, bawling, and profuse salivation. ANY EVIDENCE OF BLOAT SHOULD BE DEEMED AN EMERGENCY - CONTACT A BEASTCRAFTER IMMEDIATELY.

• Abscesses - Abscesses are localized pockets of infection filled with pus, usually caused by wounds or cuts which have penetrated the skin. They are indicated by swellings or lumps found under the skin and could be anywhere on the ovine's body. Should any unusual lumps or swellings be noticed on an ovine, isolate him or her from the herd and contact a Beastcrafter.

• Hoof Rot - Hoof rot is an infection of the hoof. It is more prevalent during wet seasons or when ovines spend long periods of time on wet grounds. One or more hooves can be infected at any time. Symptoms include: lameness, swelling between claws, and an elevated temperature. If left untreated, the foot will begin to "rot", revealing a foul-smelling discharge. By tending to ovine's hooves on a regular basis and by keeping bedding clean and dry, the occurrence of hoof rot can be prevented. Be sure to isolate the ovine from the herd, and keep the bedding very clean and dry. Consult a Beastcrafter if you have any questions about your ovine's condition or treatment.

Nutritional Needs of Ovines

Water

Clean, fresh water must always be available to ovines. Use heavy containers to avoid spilling.

Feed

Ovines are ruminants (multi-stomached animals) and consequently rely mainly on hay or pasture for their dietary needs. They will need at least 8 hours of grazing time per day. Grain is very high in fat, and therefore its use is not recommended as ovines tend to have weight problems. Watch carefully for obesity as it is very unhealthy for ovines.

The best ovine pastures include mixed grasses. When using only pasture for roughage, be sure to be careful of overgrazing. Ovines will graze very close to the ground if allowed, and this can destroy pasture. The best system for grazing is using 2 or more pastures and rotating as needed. Before allowing ovines in a pasture, be sure to remove all plants that are poisonous to them. Contact a local farmcrafter for a complete listing of poisonous plants in the area. Never put ovines on very rich pasture that is wet with rain or dew, as this can cause stomach bloat.

If adequate pasture is not available, feed ovines a grass hay. Adult ovines need 2 to 4 pounds of hay per day. To locate a source of hay in the area, check with a local Farmcrafter for farm/cotholders who could supply the hay.

Ovine Physiology

The average lifespan for an ovine is approximately 12 to 14 turns. Mature female ovines (ewes) generally weigh between 150-200 pounds. Mature male ovines (ram if uncastrated, wether if castrated) generally weigh between 200-250 pounds. The normal body temperature for ovines is from 100.9° to 103.8°F.

Shelter Requirements of Ovines

Building A large barn or shed makes a fine shelter for ovines. Allow at least 25 square feet per ovine, and be sure the shelter has good ventilation and no direct drafts. Always provide ovines with plenty of clean, dry straw for bedding. Remove damp and soiled straw daily, replacing it with fresh straw.

Fencing In addition to adequate shelter, you will need a fenced-in area. This is particularly important in areas where there are wandering canines, as a canine could kill an ovine in a matter of moments. If you have a canine, introduce her or him slowly and keep a very close eye on the canine and ovine for the first few sevendays. The ideal fencing to use for ovines is 4 foot high fence. Ovines are easily frightened, and when this occurs their natural instinct is to run - often straight into the fence. Therefore barbed fencing NEVER be used in ovine enclosures, as ovines can easily become entangled in it.

Tethering Tethering ovines (putting them on a long leash) is not recommended, as it can be stressful. Tethering can also be very dangerous, as ovines can hang themselves on a tether.

Pasture One acre of land for every 2 ovines is recommended. This may vary, depending on the amount of pasture vs. the amount of hay you want to utilize. For warm weather, the fenced area must have plenty of shade.