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Lawns on wool? #369318

Asked October 11, 2016, 12:34 PM EDT

I have a small flock of Shetland sheep that I've started feeding high-quality round bales of chopped hay with lots of seed heads intact. Those seeds apparently have permeated their wool to the extent that, now the rains are coming, they are germinating and creating a small lawn on their backs. I haven't seen this in the past, so I figure it's a result of having switched to chopped hay and round bales (where they climb around in it). The question is whether or not this is a problem and, if so, how should I go about dealing with it. Herbicide? Shearing? Lawn pruners?

Benton County Oregon

Expert Response

You will need to trim the top layer of fiber off of them. As far down as you will need to get the roots of the plants off of them. The roots are what will cause excess moisture to be able to penetrate down to the skin and cause additional issues. I would also recommend that you find a way to adjust how they are eating the hay so as to not throw a lot of seeds/hay on top of themselves or you will have pretty naked sheep by mid winter. After trimming the fiber down, make sure they have a place to be out of the weather when it is rainy and windy to help them stay warm during the inclement weather.
Chrissy Lucas-Woodruff Replied October 12, 2016, 1:10 PM EDT

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