Flock Management
We use a bio-secure, mixed-management system that produces healthy, hardy, genetically-correct Katahdin sheep that are an asset to our customers.
Record-Keeping
Over the years we have gone from a pen and notebook system to a 21-Century database system. Being a little deficient in technology skills, we had to find a program that was uncomplicated to use, organized, and where important information could be retrieved with ease. On RMF, we use FlockFiler Lite to keep our records straight. Tracking vital statistics, lineage, weights, and registry ID numbers are just some of the important details kept in this computer-based database.
Biosecurity
What is biosecurity? On RMF, it’s the management practice we use to do everything humanly possible to reduce the chances of introducing an infectious disease to our animals. We want to keep our flock healthy and productive. We quarantine new rams for at least three weeks while we observe their behaviors. Our veterinarian inspects and screens the potential sires for contagious diseases. Once the lab tests arrive back with negative results (no contagions), we relocate the new rams to a paddock near their ladies.
Visitors to RMF are always welcome, but must follow our biosecurity protocol too. It’s simple. We provide disposable footwear that everyone wears over their shoes when entering the farm near the sheep barn. This helps to decrease the risk of transferring an infectious disease to our flock. Interested in a visit? Contact us!
Mixed-Management System
For as many months as possible we keep our flock on pasture. Automatic waterers and stock tanks provide an abundance of fresh water. RMF Katahdins have access to free-choice stock salt, minerals, and bicarbonate soda (baking soda) at all times. We practice rotational grazing, moving sheep to different pastures every three to seven days. This is essential to maintaining healthy animals. During the months when the grasses are low, our sheep are fed hay in off-the-ground feeders as well as whole corn and/or an all-breed feed for supplementary nutrition.
See Stegall Fabrication and Engineering for more on livestock management and handling solutions.
Lambing
Our lambing takes place in the cleanest indoor environment that we can provide. Once our ewes are marked with the ram marking harnesses, we calculate approximately 147 days to the potential date of birth. The mamas are watched and brought into a jug (a small pen) in the barn just prior to lambing. Ewes and lambs stay in the jugs to help them bond.
Upon birth the lambs are weighed, umbilical cords are disinfected with an antiseptic solution, and then they are given a squirt of “Survive or Nutri-Drench” for a good start in life.The ewe’s teats are gently “stripped” by hand to remove the wax plugs from the ewe’s udders, giving us the opportunity to check the milk supply. The newborns are tagged when they are several days old with “Qwik” tags for identification. Before they leave the jug they have both a farm identification tag as well as a Scrapie tag placed in their ears.
Lambs are given CDT (Clostridium type C, Clostridium type D, and Clostridium Tetani) vaccinations at 30 and 60 days, at which time they are weighed again. At RMF, the ram lambs are weaned between 60 and 75 days. Ewe lambs are kept on their mothers for natural weaning. All young lambs have access to a creep feeder as a feed supplement.
Visit Sheep 101 to learn more.
Worming
To worm or not to worm is a question every farm struggles with. Our philosophy is not to worm unless we have to. We do this to reduce the chance of the parasites becoming drug resistant.
So the next question is when to worm? We carefully observe our flock for any abnormal behaviors. This might include a sheep losing condition, a sheep with a messy rear or a droopy head, a sheep that’s always the last one following the flock, a sheep with bottle jaw, or a sheep that appears not to be eating.
Our vet happens to be a great teacher and taught us to read a fecal egg sample under a microscope. Using the McMaster Method, we can diagnose which sheep have strongyles or coccidia or just green grass syndrome. We also use the FAMACHA system and look for pale gums to help confirm any need for treatment. Identifying affected sheep this way helps us to treat them appropriately.