The Ethical Treatment Of Animals In The Farming Industry

                             
                                 The Ethical Treatment Of Animals In The Farming Industry


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This is my column as it appeared in the Walkerville News

                              STARTING A HERD OF SHEEP OR GOATS

Small scale farming with sheep or goats can be a rewarding experience for some and a dismal failure for others depending on how you go about it. Putting a few animals into a field and letting them get on with it will soon leave you with no animals at all as ticks, worms and disease take their toll. Your first step, before you even purchase your starter pack is to have adequate warm and dry quarters for the amount of animals you wish to keep.* The next step is to purchase a good breeding ram and a few quality ewes. You don’t want to economize here, the quality of your ram and first few ewes will determined the overall fertility and disease resistance of your flock or herd, and although costly to purchase, will save you money down the line. Upon arrival of your first animals your top priority is to treat them for worms and ticks*, this ritual will have to be repeated every 3 months. Following this a round of vaccinations to protect them against the most common diseases is in order*, these will be repeated annually. It is a good idea to have a few medicines on hand to treat minor ailments and wounds to which livestock are prone.* Although your animals can survive adequately on pasture in summer, you may have to supplement their diet during the harshest months of winter and early spring to maintain condition and milk production of moms with offspring*. First time moms should also be vaccinated against enzootic abortion before falling pregnant to ensure survival of the lambs or kids, this will take place only once in the ewe’s lifetime.* You may wish to expand your herd or flock, in which case you can retain the ewes that are born and sell the rams to subsidise the rest. Livestock breeding is equivalent to compound interest you get from savings in the bank with last years babies having babies this year and so on and before you know it you can have a sizable herd, provided you pay attention to the basics.

To Continue:

* Overcrowding in holding pens leads to fighting amongst animals who will all  want to defend their space, as well as the trampling of babies which often leads to fatalities, so make sure there is enough room for the amount of animals you wish to keep. 

Avoid concrete flooring as urine is bound to pool and cause discomfort and disease should you animals be forced to lay in it. Dry veld grass makes excellent bedding which insulates against the cold ground and absorbs the urine. Do not remove built up droppings but rather cover with a layer of veld grass which will eventually form a solid layer through which the urine will drain, leaving the surface dry.

*Vaccinations. . Applied annually, vaccinations are a must, without them you could lose your entire herd in one blow.. There are several which cover the whole spectrum of contagious diseases in a single shot, and are available at your local co op. Also remember to vaccinate against pulpy kidney 2 weeks before deworming, as the removal of worms will leave all the nutrients for pulpy kidney to flourish.

* It is a good idea to keep a bottle of bloatguard on hand as this condition can kill an animal in a short period of time. Caused mainly by overeating or grazing on wet pasture and although deadly it is easy to cure if you have a bottle of bloatguard ready. You will recognize the condition by the bloated appearance of the animal and it's cries of pain.A bottle of wound oil or a can of wound spray is also a good idea for the treatment of minor cuts and abrations.

Winter supplement feeding of goats can be an expensive project, to alleviate this cost it is a good idea to cut edible leaves such as privots to feed them, in the worst months ie August/September even bluegum leaves will do.

* The vaccine for enzootic abortion is very expensive, so if you have a small herd it would pay you to partner up with somebody who also has a small herd and do all on the same day, thus sharing the cost

Every time a baby is born you must check that the mother has milk, if not you.will have to bottle feed.The first milk a mother gives is thick and yellow like condensed milk, and is vital for the babies survival and it contains all the antibodies it needs to develop an immune system, if a mother has no milk at all you should take some from another mother and feed it to the infant. Babies can be bottle fed on cow's milk mixed with (only) the yellow of an egg, 1 egg to a liter of milk and must be fed every 4 hours.

Readers are welcome to comment or ask questions regarding this and other posts.

Ram For Sale

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Registered stud ram for sale. Inoculated and dewormed Registration papers available on request

18 months old. Good Worker. R8000 call Vanessa on 0732288982

Welcome to my blog. Essentially this is an extension of my column in the Walkerville News where and  I can share further information with my readers and answer their questions regarding the health and welfare of their pets and livestock without concern for the space restraints necessitated by the column. All opinions expressed here are my own although I thoroughly research each topic before I commit anything to print, as well as consult with experts in the relevant fields. However advice is given in good faith according to normal circumstances and without the luxury of examining the animal and I accept no liability if results do not match expectations. Questions can be posted directly to this blog or sent by sms to 073 22 88 982 or by e mail to ronvannessa@yahoo.com

Aint she just too adorable

We Looove Champs dog food



Mother and Son

We are grateful for the rain and the burgeoning new grass, however there is much about this time of the year that makes things tough for us old farmers. New grass has little to offer in the way of nutrients, and contributes to mass diarrhea, one still has to supplement feed. We opt to provide cattle fattener and privot leaves to see our goats through the tough times, which is both costly and labor intensive. Grass for bedding is non existent due to rampant veld fires, so shavings have to be bought and laid to soak up the urine that doesn't run off.. Fortunately that will all change in a few weeks and several months of abundance lies ahead. Yippee!

Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act 6 of 2000)

A comprehensive booklet issued by the Dept. Of Agriculture And Fisheries on this topic is available and covers all aspects of marking from registration to application. E mail me at ronvannessa@yahoo.com and I will send it to you.

Caring For Senior Dogs

What are some of the things to expect as your dog ages? Your dog may develop arthritis or other degenerative diseases that cause him to slow down. He may not be able to walk as far or play as long. He may tire more easily. He may have difficulty getting up or finding a comfortable position to sleep in. He may become reluctant to go up and down stairs or have difficulty getting into and out of the car. Without proper care, dental disease can pose a problem, particularly for older pets. If nothing is done to care for your dog’s mouth, by the time your dog is a senior, he may even have lost some teeth. Dental disease can be painful, causing your dog to avoid or have difficulty eating his meals. This may result in weight loss and an unkempt hair coat. Dental disease is certainly not the only disease that can lead to weight loss. Senior dogs frequently suffer from kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease and other conditions that may result in weight loss. On the other hand, some senior dogs may have the opposite problem. Some dogs will become less active with age, essentially becoming couch potatoes, and will gain weight as a result. Obesity in a major health issue in dogs of all ages and senior dogs are no different.
For tips on how to deal with senior dog problems go to my blog at petandanimalhealthcareblogspot.com and click on “caring for older dogs”

What can you do to help your senior dog? Here are some tips:

Schedule regular visits with your veterinarian. Your dog needs to be examined at least yearly if it appears healthy, as many diseases are hidden and not apparent.  Remember it is much cheaper to prevent disease than it is to treat it!
 Ask for a body condition evaluation during each vet visit. Body condition is crucial to determining whether your senior dog is overweight, underweight, or at an ideal body weight. In fact, you should also ask your veterinarian to show you how to evaluate your dog's body condition at home.
 Feed your older dog a high quality diet. Also, learn to read the dog food label and choose a diet that is appropriate for your dog’s age and lifestyle.
 Use food to keep your senior dog at his ideal body weight. Overweight dogs have a higher incidence of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, skin disease, even cancer. Your veterinarian can help you choose an appropriate diet for your dog, especially since overweight dogs must be fed carefully to ensure that all nutrient needs are met while still allowing for weight loss. For instance, specialized diets that are lower in calories as well as those that are high L-carnitine are available for obese or overweight dogs. A diet with a carefully chosen carbohydrate or carbohydrate blend can also help keep your overweight dog feeling satiated.
 Consider fortifying your senior dog’s diet with fatty acids such as DHA and EPA. They have been shown to be useful for dogs with mobility issues due to arthritis or other joint diseases. Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin are also beneficial for senior dogs.
 Consider a special diet if your older dog has heart or kidney disease. For example, diets lower in sodium are sometimes advocated for dogs with heart disease, while diets which help control phosphorus, calcium and other electrolyte levels are given to dogs with kidney disease. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best food for your dog based on your dog’s individual situation.
 Take care of your dog’s mouth. Brushing your dog’s teeth may seem like a silly idea but it can help keep your dog’s mouth healthy. If you cannot brush, consider dental treats and toys that help keep the teeth clean.
 Exercise your senior dog. It can help keep your older dog lean and maintain healthy joints and muscles. However, tailor your dog’s exercise needs to his individual requirements. For a large breed dog, walking around the block is probably just getting started but for a tiny Chihuahua, a brisk walk around the block may be a long trek. If your senior is not used to exercise, start slow and gradually increase the intensity — and only after you’ve consulted a veterinarian. Also, be careful with short-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs on hot days.
 Provide plenty of toys to keep your senior dog occupied. Food puzzles, for example, are not only useful for entertainment but for weight loss purposes as well.
Provide your older dog with special accommodations too. For instance, dogs with arthritis might benefit from soft bedding in the form of a special dog bed or towels/blankets on which to sleep. Ramps can be used to make stairs easier to navigate if they cannot be avoided. Even providing carpeting or rugs over hard-surface flooring can help your arthritic dog gain his footing and make it easier for him to get around.