and you should too
It’s the time of year that I start getting calls about St. Croix seed stock that include questions about whether or not I vaccinate. I love that people are interested and have lots of questions. Talking sheep is one of my absolute favorite past times. Those questions are a good indicator that the potential customer has done some research and will be more likely to succeed with sheep.
There are two questions that get under my skin a little bit – or rather, the reaction that some have to my honest answers gets under my skin. One of those questions is “Do you vaccinate?” As soon as I hear that question, I know how the conversation will probably go. I also know it will lead to the second question: “Do you feed any grain?”
The Vaccination Script
- CUSTOMER: Do you vaccinate?
- ME: Yes. I vaccinate all my sheep using BarVac CD/T. Lambs get their first dose at around 6-8 weeks and their second dose about 3-4 weeks later. All sheep get an annual booster.
- CUSTOMER: Oh. We don’t believe in vaccinating. We don’t want those chemicals or mRNA in their system. Can you just not vaccinate the lambs we want to buy?
- ME: No. I work the entire group and there is no way for me to know which lambs will be yours at that age. Also, there are no mRNA-based vaccines licensed for animal use. The CD/T vaccine is made with the deactivated clostridium bacteria.
- CUSTOMER: <awkward silence for a few seconds> Okay. We will think about it.
- ME: Have you ever witnessed an animal dying of tetanus or enterotoxemia? Those are two excruciating causes of death that I hope you never experience.
- CUSTOMER: No, but we will keep our farm really clean so we won’t need to worry about diseases.
- ME: Do you know how sheep get infected with tetanus or enterotoxemia?
- CUSTOMER: <awkward silence for a few seconds> Not really.
- ME: <sigh> Clostridium perfringens bacteria live in the gastrointestinal tract of all sheep. They only become problematic if the sheep over-eats and upsets the balance of all their naturally occurring bacteria.
- CUSTOMER: <interrupts> Well we are doing 100% grass fed with our St. Croix sheep, so we don’t have to worry about that.
- ME: <sigh> While avoiding concentrated feed dramatically reduces the risk, sheep can and do over-eat pasture. This is especially true in the spring or when turned out onto a particularly succulent paddock.
- CUSTOMER: <crickets>
- ME: Clostridium tetani lives in the soil. It’s everywhere. Again, it is usually not problematic but it is opportunistic. Any sheep with a wound of any sort is susceptible. That includes navels of newborns, castrations, scratches from rough forbes, scuffs on the heads of rams that have been fighting, etc. I encourage you to visit reputable websites about sheep management and veterinary care before you decide not to vaccinate. The Maryland Small Ruminant page is particularly useful.
- CUSTOMER: <awkward silence for a few seconds> Okay. We will think about it and let you know.
- ME: <knowing they will probably not call back or use the information I gave them> Okay. Thank you for your interest in my sheep.
Why I Vaccinate
I vaccinate for CD/T to protect sheep from enterotoxemia (overeating disease) and tetanus caused by the toxins of Clostridium perfringens types C & D and Clostridium tetani. It is the only universally recommended vaccine for sheep and it costs less than fifty cents (50¢) per dose. It is part of my overall approach to caring for the flock.
As a child, I witnessed a calf dying of tetanus on a relative’s very nice farm. I can still see it if I allow the memory to surface. It was horrific. I never want to see that happen to any of the animals in my care. If any of you had seen it, you would feel the same. I will gladly spend $1.00 per lamb and 50¢ per adult each year to prevent that.
This vaccine has been around for years. It is not experimental. CD/T vaccines aren’t part of a conspiracy to introduce mRNA into livestock. It contains de-activated bacteria strains of clostridium and carrying agents. It is really that simple. Most importantly, it helps to prevent excruciating deaths.
I will continue to unapologetically vaccinate all my sheep for CD/T, regardless of popular opinion. I’m happy to discuss the issue to help others understand, but I will not bend on this. Please do not make that request.