Is it a bad idea to get a sheep with mastitis?

[WindyIndy]

I was searching CL as I want to expand my flock since I'm raising meat for us and I want to sell. I haven't found too many good deals on CL so I figured I would just keep some of my ewes lambs (and probably will end up keeping a couple anyway), but then I found this add on CL this morning. I REALLY want the red or black ram as I have always pictured having a red one be my 'Anakin' and black one my 'Vadar". Yes, I'm a HUGE star wars fan, lol! But I'm running on limited funds right now

Then I saw the 4 year old ewe for $75, what a deal! I know that it's because she has mastitis, but still, you can't even get a lamb for that around here! My question is, knowing she has mastitis would it not be a good idea to get her? I could supplement with a bottle. Pics should be in order of the listing.

For Sale Katahdin Hair Sheep
I have 2 ram lambs. One is white and one is brown. The brown one has a trace amount of wool breed in him but I believe he has hair. $125 each, cash
4 year old ewe, Very friendly and would make a good pet. Last year she had mastitis and now only one side of her udder works, but is a great mother. $75 cash
Yearling ewe, all white and may be bred. $150 cash
3 year old proven ram, black. $200 cash
All sheep are up to date on vaccinations and the adults have been wormed as well.

 

[WindyIndy]

She seems to be in good condition. And I forgot to mention that she's a hour and 47 minutes away. Is she still worth it then?

 

[Bossroo]

They appear to be barbados X breds . A few steps backwards for meat production. As to that ewe with mastitis ... bad idea as well as a money pit!

 

[WindyIndy]

Really?! How can you tell that? I though you could get pure bred red,cinnamon, black katahdins? I know Barbados aren't as good for meat,they grow slower.

 

[Baymule]

A doe or cow or ewe with mastitis is a problem animal. Why buy a problem? I would not buy her, no matter what the price, but that is just my opinion. You could incur more in vet bills than it would be worth, in the long run. I know you don't want to hear this, but don't buy some one else's problems.

 

[TAH]

They deferentially don't look like pure Katahdin Sheep. It depends on what your looking for, if you want a slower growing sheep then you get them, if you want faster growing I would stick with the pure Katahdin Sheep or St Croix. I am hoping to get some St Croix soon. We had two Katahdin Dorper cross and they grew like fire weed.

 

[Ferguson K]

Take that $75 you were going to use on that doe and put it aside. Continue saving. It's not worth the risk. There's a reason shes cheap.

Keep looking. You'll find something.

 

[samssimonsays]

Take that $75 you were going to use on that doe and put it aside. Continue saving. It's not worth the risk. There's a reason shes cheap.

Keep looking. You'll find something.

x2 Save a little at a time and you could get a whole lot more at once.

 

[Bossroo]

Really?! How can you tell that? I though you could get pure bred red,cinnamon, black katahdins? I know Barbados aren't as good for meat,they grow slower.

Hint : look at your photos and what do you see on the neck and chest. Look at the conformation- Not typical Katahdin ! Then compare to photos of Barbados.

 

[Latestarter]

Sorry, I know you're really excited at the prospect of a "really good deal" but normally those are the ones to walk away from. If you were buying it purely as a pet or terminal (freezer) animal, that might be a different story. Save your money and buy quality! breed percentage aside, Don't waste your limited resources on someone else's discard/cull animal. You want to breed BETTER genetics into your herd, not (demonstrated) poor quality with medical issues.