Some of our hair sheep have pulled off and eaten our Romney's wool from their heads and necks. Have any of you heard of this? Any ideas why they would ?

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), March 24, 2000

Answers

Do your Romneys sometimes get feed stuck in their fleeces? Like alfalfa leaves or cobb? Sometimes if our ewes get messy pulling out their feed or chewing it over the top of each other, they get stuff in their fleece especially up by their heads and necks. Sometimes the chickens will peck at them to get anything out. (no bugs there, I've checked). I have even seen the hens perched atop the ewes on occasion. Do they graze under bushes that might have seeds dropping into their fleece? Maybe your hair sheep are discovering something to eat up there. Or sweat/salt?

If not, maybe some kind of mineral deficiency...like when chickens eat their feathers. Probably someone with more experience than I has heard of this, but I haven't and am just guessing. If it's just at the head/shoulders, I'm thinking probably feed. Interesting if just the hair sheep are doing it, though.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), March 24, 2000.

Thanks for your input. We thought of the hay in the fleece problem. One of the Romney's is completely bald on the head & neck! They all get the sheep minerals. At first we thought the romneys had a fungus problem but then figured out what was happening.

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), March 24, 2000.

Jean,

I haven't a clue!!

I have found that many sheep questions can be answered at ATTRA (I think it means alternative technoogy transfer for rural areas). They have a vet there (Ann Wells) who specializes in sheep. You can call with any sheep questions and she will help you. The number is 1-800- 346-9140. Ann raised a small flock of sheep so she gives not only professional opinions but offers experience as well. Kim

-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), March 25, 2000.

Jean, go to Eharvest.com click on chat then when the board comes up again click on sheep. These folks know everything about sheep! Check out the other boards also, it isn't a live chat just a message board. Goats is pretty lively also! I would guess you have something nutritional going on, pica is the eating of foreign substances, dirt, hair, etc. and is caused by something lacking nutritionaly. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 25, 2000.