Black Sheep Farm Health

Black Sheep Farm Health We are an independent, locally owned dedicated farm only veterinary practice serving Northumberland

Black Sheep on tour 🐮🚍Earlier in the week, we made the trip down to visit John Aynsley to see his herd of 450 performanc...
06/06/2026

Black Sheep on tour 🐮🚍

Earlier in the week, we made the trip down to visit John Aynsley to see his herd of 450 performance-recorded Stabiliser cows. All cattle are either sold or retained as breeding animals, or finished on farm. The enterprise prioritises profitability. The cattle herd is run alongside an arable enterprise.

John was kind enough to show us around and talk to us about his system. There was a lot of food for thought and it was an excellent day out. Thank you to John for having us.

Before we headed home, we all enjoyed a beer and a WestHills Farm Rothbury beef burger!

Thank you to all the clients who came along for the trip!

Red mite alert 🐔As the weather warms, red mite risk increases and it is important to monitor chickens for signs:🐔 Irrita...
05/06/2026

Red mite alert 🐔

As the weather warms, red mite risk increases and it is important to monitor chickens for signs:

🐔 Irritation/restlessness

🐔Increased vent / feather pecking

🐔 Reduced egg production

🐔 Anaemia / pale combs and whattles

🐔 Increased mortalities

Red mite is generally introduced from wild bird populations, but mites can live without feeding for up to 9 months. Get in touch with one of the vets to discuss treating red mite.

How to Wean Lambs? 🐑It is important to consider feed quality and availability. Ideally, all lambs need to be weaned onto...
04/06/2026

How to Wean Lambs? 🐑

It is important to consider feed quality and availability. Ideally, all lambs need to be weaned onto a high quality, high-protein diet.

If you intend on feeding novel feedstuffs after weaning, expose lambs to the new feed source whilst still with their dams.

Although it is not always the easiest option, ewes should be moved away from lambs, rather than lambs away from ewes. This ensures that lambs are left in a familiar environment, and do not struggle with novel foodstuffs or finding water during the stress of weaning.

This should help to minimise the ‘check’ at weaning. Even just 48hrs in a new
environment is sufficient time for lambs to get their bearings, before taking the ewes away to barer grazing for dry off.

Sheep Pathway– CLAIM NOW!🐑📢Now that lambing is finished for another year and ewes and lambs are all at grass, we have to...
03/06/2026

Sheep Pathway– CLAIM NOW!🐑📢

Now that lambing is finished for another year and ewes and lambs are all at grass, we have to begin thinking about worms again. Worm egg counts are a useful tool to monitor burdens in lambs and can contribute towards the first part of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway for sheep.

AHWP funding ends in June 2027– flocks that act now may still have time to claim AHWP twice before then.

If your 12-digit pathway number begins ‘IAHW’, there is no need to reapply, just follow the steps below! Please get in touch with Emili or Claire if you need any help with the pathway.

Preparing for clipping injuries ✂Clipping injuries are somewhat inevitable due to the nature of the job, so its best to ...
02/06/2026

Preparing for clipping injuries ✂

Clipping injuries are somewhat inevitable due to the nature of the job, so its best to be prepared for injuries ahead of shearing. It can be frustrating to pause clipping to attend to these wounds, but they are best dealt with as soon as possible in order to avoid complications.

Simple skin wounds heal best when clean skin edges can be held in place; wounds can be cleaned with an antiseptic and skin staples can be used as emergency first aid to close the skin.

Consider wound sprays, fly-treatments and pain relief once the wound has been closed.

For more complicated wounds, ie wounds involving the pizzle/udder/scrotum/vulva/tendons, deep or long wounds, or wounds that bleed excessively, please phone the office for advice.

The June newsletter is here!This month, the newsletter covers:❗BTV movement restrictions into Scotland🐑 Weaning lambs🐑 C...
01/06/2026

The June newsletter is here!

This month, the newsletter covers:

❗BTV movement restrictions into Scotland

🐑 Weaning lambs

🐑 Clipping injuries

🐑 Sheep pathway- claim now!

https://blacksheepfarmhealth.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/June-2026-Newsletter.pdf

Our tup testing course will be running again this year, promises to be a day filled with learning and cake! 🐑
28/05/2026

Our tup testing course will be running again this year, promises to be a day filled with learning and cake! 🐑

📢Attention clients- please RSVP before the end of today to book your place!
26/05/2026

📢Attention clients- please RSVP before the end of today to book your place!

📢Attention clients- please RSVP before 26th May to book your place!
19/05/2026

📢Attention clients- please RSVP before 26th May to book your place!

SAC has diagnosed inhalation of mineral drench as the cause of death in 3- to 4-week-old lambs at the end of last week. ...
13/05/2026

SAC has diagnosed inhalation of mineral drench as the cause of death in 3- to 4-week-old lambs at the end of last week. This has become a regular feature of late spring and early summer in recent years.

Usually it is 6- to 8-week-old lambs that are affected following handling for multiple management tasks. These can include administration of anthelmintic and mineral drenches, clostridial and/or orf vaccination, tagging, castration/tailing and application of pour ons.

Lambs that inhale mineral drench have difficulty breathing and die very rapidly within 15 to 30 minutes of being handled. Others will die over the next 24 to 48 hours.

Take care when administering oral mineral drenches to young lambs in order to avoid unnecessary deaths ⚠

Address

Unit 4A Rothbury Industrial Estate
Rothbury
NE657RZ

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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