Katahdin sheep still not eating.

[big brown horse]

She is an adult, healty katahdin sheep. About 5 years old. She came from a wonderful farm and was very well cared for. She was kinda chunky when I got her, but after a week and a half or so, she has lost quite a bit of weight. I never see her eat.

She is on one acre of nice grass with one other sheep. I leave timothy hay out for them both, but I was told they don't need it because of my nice acre of clean, green grass. (No pestisides on grass.)

I also offer her a cup of feed, but she wont touch it or the hay.

Is she just stressed from her move away from the only home she ever had? I can't think of anything else. (She is bonded now to the other sheep and loves the horses in the field.) The dog still makes her nervous I can tell, but the dog stays away from them. Does anyone have experience with Katahdin adult sheep?

My other sheep went through the same thing when I got her, but she snapped out of it sooner. (And now she is a down right, pushy hog!)

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Have you tried giving her a probiotic?

 

[big brown horse]

Have you tried giving her a probiotic?

Hey, that is a great idea! Nope, I had not even thought to do that!! How stupid of me. When I ship my horses, I load them up on probiotics and electrolites before during and after.

I'm planning a trip to the feed store, do you recommend anything?

I am also going to section her off so I can closely monitor her. I do see her drink.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I love Probios. It comes in many forms for ease of dosing and is good for so many animals.

Here's the two forms we commonly use. One is a paste to dose directly and the other is a powder you can mix in their food or water.

 

[big brown horse]

Thank you! I've used those before too. O.k then I'm off to the feed store! (I just love that cow!)

 

[Farmer Kitty]

You're welcome and good luck!

 

[big brown horse]

Thank you!

I got the powder version and put it in her water, she got stressed out being seperated, so I chose not to do it after all. She is still very spunky and has a nice twinkle in her eyes..hopefully these probiotics will help her tum tum while she adjusts.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I wouldn't separate her then either. The less stress at this point the better.

You should see results in a day or two. If not, I would re-evaluate her and see what else might be going on.

 

[big brown horse]

 

[Beekissed]

BBH, how about an update on your sheep that wasn't eating? I'd be interested to find out if the probios helped?