This is preventative care to help the animals stay healthy.
When we first got our sheep, it was a new experience for us. We had never had any sheep before, but were eager to learn and enjoy all that came with them. This is one of the periodical chores that comes with them.
HOOF TRIMMIMG
The hooves of sheep and goats actually grow, much like our fingernails do. The outer edge of the hooves can have a tendency to grow longer and fold over. Once this happens, dirt, manure, and other debris can get caught underneath it and possibly lead to infection. If the animals are kept in an area with a lock of rock, the edges may wear off by themselves. For us, like many others, we have to trim the hooves though.
Shears, razors, or a sharp knife can all get the job done. Since I am handiest with a razor blade I chose to use one of them. If you look at the photo above, you can see that I am slowly slicing off the excess hoof.
After a bit, a good amount of the excess hoof has been removed. At this time we also clean the hooves and remove all the manure and dirt. Then, we continue cutting off the rest of the extra hoof material. It is important not to go too deep, or you will hurt the animal.
Here is another example of how long the edges can grow. The longer part on the left was folded over already, but I lifted the fold to show the length. I was glad to not only be able to learn how to complete this preventative care, but also that the @little-peppers could learn along with me.
Not only did the @little-peppers learn about the sheep hooves, they also did a great job taking the photos for this post! Thanks children!
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-hoof-care
Until next time…
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Good job pappa pepper! Done like a pro ;)
Did black sheep get their wool trimmed also?
Not until spring, they'll need it this winter.
Amazing. I heard some sheep is modified so they glow in the dark
@papa-pepper. Trimming hooves can be a tedious job. I have found that a dremmel with a grinder attachment works well.
That could speed things up! Thanks!
Here's one for the @little-peppers:
good post friends. I am a newcomer. I hope support from you
Is that ur children's they ever cute
Must be hard to do to trim it.. Salute you pal.
Once they sit still, it gets easier!
Good post friend
@papa-pepper why goat nail cut, I really like about your post.
Good post
Cool my friend,, 👍
I fed some goats for a while, but I never trimmed any hooves.
They look great, and your helpers look happy!
Speaking of taking care of the animals.
I suppose you have a lot of relaxing medicine for New Years right? Because with all of the fireworks animals tend to be really nervous.
In my case we always give relaxing medicine to our dog.
We are out in the middle of nowhere. Probably won't even see any, much less hear any fireworks.
Very good friend.
Upvote and resteem
Looks the have fun for your childrens
So cute
Really its great work.Though it is complex but contain intersesting.Trimming the sheep's hooves very exceptional experience for us.
Thanky you so much for new skilful posting.
Those gorgeous smiles earn a thumbs up from #Healthy-Home!!
Glad ya'll do things together as a family!! Keep up the good work!
Reminds me of trimming a dog's nails. That can be tricky too depending on the color of the nail. If it is light or clear you can see where the flesh starts but if it is black you have to be real careful not to nip it because it will bleed a lot. Great photography by the @little-peppers!
That is the hard and dangerous way to trim hooves.
You should be able to find some "foot rot sheers" in the hardware store.
Handles similar to the proof photo of the secateurs, but with straight blades, like scissors on steroids.
If you leave it too long between trims the smell will tell you why it is called "foot rot".
The feet do actually rot away/get eaten away and the sheep can hardly walk
I'll look into that, and we will keep an eye and nose out for the foot rot.
Have a look at some of the NZ shearing competitions, they may give you an idea on how to sit the sheep so it stays still while you work on it.
about $NZ 18
about $NZ350 [cordless]
Is there enough sheep in the neighbourhood for a pro shearer? or, do you intend to hand shear them or acquire a small shearing plant?
If you do it by hand, your hand will be so strong that nobody will shake hands with you afterwards:)
I couldn’t imagine how much these little-pepper would learn when they grow up. Always great to have a @papa-pepper.
Lol this is so cool av never done dis before ..wish to try Dis sometime..@kingklauz
really interesting. thank you for this sharing of knowledge I discover you on this post and I subscribe to not miss your content. Your work is exceptional and requires patience. Good luck for the future and thank you again.
Take care
P&U
Your kids did a great job taking the pictures.
I had no idea that you have to trim the sheep hooves.
Good to know for the future, maybe one day I will have some which I would love.
Always enjoy learning great things from you @papa-pepper so thanks for sharing these awesome posts.
This post is very important to me, this post has helped me a lot. Thank you so much for sharing this important post with all of us
@orginalwork
MY last post latest post contains a free gift happy new year
Hoof trimming is important to keep animal away from infection excellent tutorial @papa-pepper keep sharing. In the end i wish @papa-pepper and all steem family members a very happy new year
a very good post my pal,
their happiness is also happiness for us too,
it's both child @papa-pepper yes.
I'm lucky to have LOTS of rocks in my soil so every time they climb and descend the hillside they are keeping their hooves trimmed by scuffing on the rocks. It works quite well and I rarely have to touch their feet.
Nice post. Thanks for sharing. Trimming of animal hooves is something I have never done before, but since I love animals so much I look forward to having the opportunity to try it. I upvote you.
Great post @papa-pepper. Believe it or not I've actually done this before many times when my family had a small farm so I have a huge appreciation for this post.
That's interesting, I never knew they trimmed sheep and goat hooves, and I use to raise cattle. I never had sheep or goats, but my ex-g/f had 2 miniature goats as pets. I knew that horses required hoof attention.
You've got the life there. I have a little farm on 10 acres, but I've had to rent it and move to the city over medical problems. I hope someday I can go back, but I'm getting older, so I don't know. I hate living in the city. Gimme the country life any day. That's where I was born, and where I wanna die. I had a pond with lots of fish in it, in my back yard. I could shoot my guns when I wanted, ride my 3-wheeler and 6-wheeler, and go out at night and see more stars than many city-dwellers probably ever knew existed. Not to mention the quiet. It was like I was the only person on the planet at night.
Thanks for your post.
I hope that you get back there before too long. Thanks for the encouragement.
Thank you, and you're welcome.
Teaching kids animal husbandry at a younger age is a good idea because you can help them become more responsible adults. And who knows they may come to rely on these practical skills at some point in the future and will look back to their childhood and relish this time of the learning. I guess you can also considered this type of teaching as planting good seeds for the future. Thanks.
quite an experience it must be for the sheep @papa-pepper
.
Wow! This is the first time I'm hearing about hoof trimming,probably because we don't do that in this part of the world (Nigeria). I think I've learnt something new from you?
It's great job papa. I big appreciates for that.
Great research
This heals my heart, after witnessing stray dogs in Lebanon poisoned convulsing in agony. The compassionate human gene must spark somewhere to balance out this living duality.
Happy New Year @papa-pepper @little-pepper @mama-pepper and to all members of the peppers homestead. Enjoy with your family!
oh this is my first time to see a such thing even on photos..thanks alot for sharing this experience with us..and wish you a very happy new year :)
Good @papa-pepper you so pay attention to its condition ..
https://steemit.com/steemit/@luzclaritareyes/i-am-new-to-steemit-luz-clarita-reyes-introduce-your-self
Hay my friend likes to see tame people with animals because not everyone can .. I am inspired with your style .. I also do not want to lose with you just now I have posted my photo with contact lansug with venomous animals try you see @papa-pepper in @ suhady but still timid too
Hmm. It's great to see the @little-peppers learn to be great farmers.
I bet they'll be better farmers than you. I hope to start a farm in 2018. It's always been my dream to rear animals and grow crops.
I have to dedicate time to learning though.
I hope I can try this out. I've lived in the city all my life.
I'm only 26 and I just want to try out things before I get old and rusty.
I want to rear cows and sheep. Then I'll have a couple of crops.
The fact that tomatoes (staple food in my country) are expensive during rainy season makes me go crazy to try something out.
Seeing a farmer like you succeed motivates me too.
Well done Papa Pepper! Thanks for the motivation
Love this post! I am hoping to get goats next year!
Those beautiful babies helping you! Warms my heart!
Good job on the hoof trimming! Can't wait until spring when we get to see you do the shearing! 😉
Great job! At first I thought the first photo was your kiddos holding you in a head lock! haha
Sukkot '17...@TheMyrrhMaid showed us how to trim hooves. I got to participate and I have to say it wasnt as hard as I thought. The hard part was wrangling the sheep down!
Great post! We keep a flock of Shetlands and catching the sheep is the most daunting part about trimming. I find the actual trimming enjoyable, almost like picking a scab. HA! Just kidding, sortof... LOL. love your blog! Newbie minnow here, @schoonercreek
definitely a job for the hubby!