Over the weekend I drove by the front roadside "Pet Paddock" here at Struan Farm, where (coincidentally) we've put this year's six ewe pet lambs: Peaches, Fig, Pickles, Chalk, Sugar and Spice. This is to keep them sequestered from the rams, who will be put out with the mob shortly.
I noticed one pets curled up against the fence, far away from from everyone else. I was worried she might have died, so stopped to check it out. She was quietly curled up, sleeping, but wasn't acting terribly normal. I gave her some rubs, and went to check on everyone else. They were at the other ending of the paddock, eating away, but everyone said hello. Sugar and Spice came up to sniff me and get pats.
I returned to Chalk, who had walked over to the water trough for a few sips before sitting down again. I went and cut some photinia branches, which sheep love to nibble, and brought those to her. She remained down but did nibble them.
You may remember that Chalk's twin sister Cheese dropped dead during the season. And so I was worried. Later that afternoon I returned to the Pet Paddock with John and sister-in-law Anna. They agreed she wasn't well. I returned with cold water for her to drink and photinia to nibble try to help her. I also put a call into Farmer John.
Unfortunately Chalk died overnight. The verdict is that she had facial eczema, which happens in this sort of dry conditions when there is a brief rain shower. Spores are released from the ground that infect the sheep. Her ears were drooping, apparently is a telltale sign.
John seems to think a few of the other pets might have the same problem so we are watching them. We have moved them out of this paddock, but if they are already infected there's not much that can be done other than to keep an eye on them. John will also contact Farmer John tonight to have a chat.
I don't want to lose my pet lambs 2020, it would be an absolute tragedy.
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