Mineral Blocks can cause Salt Poisoning in Sheep

Last Sunday I went to Tractor Supply in Marinette, WI to buy some supplies. While there, I picked up a sheep mineral block.

When I set it out, I was careful to see that the sheep had plenty of water. I knew they would overdo it on the mineral block and they'd be thirsty.

The next morning, the water supply, which I thought was more than enough, was empty, and some of the sheep were showing symptoms of salt poisoning. Though I didn't know that at first, I was too busy filling all the water troughs and making sure all the sheep got a drink.

The info on the internet was grim. Salt poisoning is 50% fatal. Or more than 50% fatal, depending on which information source you read. And there isn't much to do to treat other than give them water in small amounts throughout the day--- too much water at once can be bad.

Sure enough, I lost 2 ewes that day--- including Rilla, one of my best older Dorper cross ewes, and her purebred Shetland mother, Nadezhda. Yesterday evening, I found another ewe dead.

The good news is that my most valuable Dorper cross ewe, Sarang, recovered even though she was rather badly affected.

I've decided, as a result of this experience, that my sheep get plenty enough minerals from all the weeds they eat. They don't need mineral blocks, especially if they can cause results like this in spite of precautions.

Ram Lambs for Sale

We currently have the following ram lambs and wether lambs (neutered ram lambs) for sale. They are not registered, but are purebred Shetland:

Ram lambs:

#360--- a twin moorit (brown) ram lamb, $115
#470--- single black krunet (krunet means 'white mark on head') ram lamb, $100

Wether lambs:
#467---- white wether lamb, $70 SOLD!
#450--- black with small horns, $70
#452--- black with larger horns, $70

Located in Menominee, MI. All sales cash only. Contact by phone 906-374-0130. We will also be having some unregistered female Shetland sheep for sale.

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