Falklands : Sheep Welfare Issues in the Falkland Islands
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 12.09.2009 (Article Archived on 26.09.2009)
Steve Pointing concludes his article on sheep welfare issues in the Falkland Islands
SHEEP WELFARE ISSUES IN THE FALKLAND ISLANDS (PART 2)
By Steve Pointing
As Published in Wool Press September Issue
This is a continuation of the article I started in the August edition of the Wool Press and covers those slides I did not manage to talk about when giving my presentation during Farmers’ Week. . Please refer back to the August article to refresh your memories as to why welfare issues have become such a hot topic these days.
Restraint
Sheep should not be caught, dragged or lifted by their wool. Generally sheep should be handled or restrained by means of an arm under the neck and an arm around the rump. Try not to keep sheep on their side or on their back for more than a few minutes especially if they have a full rumen or they are heavily pregnant.
Gathering and Yarding
Sheep should not be yarded for periods of more than 24 hours unless feed and water is provided. Dogs should not be used excessively and when you know that certain dogs are prone to biting sheep then these should be muzzled during work. Sheep should be moved slowly and quietly; take precautions to avoid smothering of closely yarded sheep. Sheds and yards should be designed, constructed and maintained to minimise injury to sheep.
Shearing
Shearing sheds and equipment must have regular maintenance checks and shearing equipment should be kept clean. Sheep should not be shorn if the forecast is for cold, wet weather and remember the wind chill factor in the Falkland Islands. Shearing must be carried out skilfully and carefully to ensure that shearing cuts are kept to a minimum. Extensive or severe cuts must be treated as soon as possible. The welfare of the sheep is the responsibility of the farm owner or manager and if you are unhappy with the way sheep are being handled you should make your concerns known to the shearing gang leader.
Pre-lamb shearing
Don’t pre-lamb shear within 4 weeks of lambing. lf you decide to pre-lamb shear then effective shelter MUST be available. The ewes MUST be well fed because if they are hungry they may choose to graze rather than shelter with their lambs. Newly shorn sheep require up to 40% more feed for 3 weeks or more after shearing to sustain body temperature and maintain body condition.
Maintenance requirements maybe increased for6 to 8 weeks post shearing. The use of cover or snow combs is strongly recommended.
Marking and Tagging
Remember that ear tissue is very sensitive. The ear marking tool should be kept clean and sharp. If using plastic or metal tags try and keep the number of tags to an absolute minimum. When tagging take care to avoid cartilage ridges and large blood vessels.
Diseases and their control
All sheep in which injury or disease is or seems likely to be causing severe or persistent pain, or distress, severe malaise or emaciation must be treated. If the appropriate treatment is not known or not available, a veterinarian should be consulted or the sheep humanely destroyed without delay.
Internal parasitsm
Gastro-intestinal parasitism is a threat to production in grazing sheep throughout the Falkland Islands. Control of internal parasites is essential to ensure good health, production and welfare of Falkland Island sheep.
Humane slaughter
Injured or sick sheep should be slaughtered in an humane manner by a competent person. The preferred methods would be the use of a .22 calibre rifle or pistol or a captive bolt stunner. Particular care needs to be taken when using a free bullet both for the operator and anyone else who might be in the vicinity. Clubbing is permitted but only for very young lambs which have a thin skull and cutting of the throat can be used only in emergency situations where no firearm is readily available.
Transportation between farms and to the abattoir
Handle sheep with care during the loading process. Leave sufficient room for sheep to be able to stand and move about but not too loosely packed to avoid injury during the journey. Provide protection from adverse weather conditions during the journey. Ensure that there is adequate ventilation especially in warm weather or on particularly calm days or when the vehicle is stationary. Drive carefully and at a sensible speed to avoid sheep being thrown about in the back of the transporter. Handle sheep carefully when off-loading at the final destination.
The manner in which sheep are handled and managed in the Falkland Islands is not the same on all farms. Different practices have developed on certain farms down through the ages. It is useful to see how other farmers carry out certain management tasks-you can learn from them and they might be able to learn from you. However you go about your daily business there are certain minimum standards that have to be adhered to by all farmers. Having read this article and the previous one are you happy in your own mind that you are meeting those minimum standards?
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