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伊人直播

Look Out for Rickets in 2026

A group of lambs in a field
A group of lambs in a field.

As we move into the early months of the year, it鈥檚 important to keep an eye out for rickets in lambs and hoggs. This condition, while not new, can catch flocks off guard鈥攅specially under certain management and nutritional circumstances.

What is Rickets and why are we seeing it?

Rickets is most commonly diagnosed in hill lambs听that are away-wintered on good dairy grazing. We usually see it in Scottish blackface lambs, however, recent cases have also been identified in white-faced lambs (including pregnant hoggs)听grazing reseeded pastures on their home holding.

Why does it occur?

The trigger is often improved nutrition in poorly grown lambs, which accelerates growth at a time when cutaneous production of Vitamin D from sunlight is minimal. At our latitude, Vitamin D synthesis from sunlight only occurs between mid-March and mid-September. For the other half of the year, animals rely entirely on dietary Vitamin D.

When Vitamin D is deficient, calcification of new bone is impaired, leading to widening of growth plates. This is the hallmark of rickets.

Bone showing expanded distal radial growth plate in a hogg with rickets
Bone showing expanded distal radial growth plate in a hogg with rickets

Clinical signs to watch for

Affected hoggs may:

  • Appear stiff and reluctant to move
  • Show recumbency in some cases
  • Exhibit carpal valgus deformity (outward bending of the front leg/ knock-kneed appearance)

In groups of away-wintered hoggs, the issue may only become apparent when they return home.

Diagnosis and treatment

  • Treatment: Supplementation of Vitamin D via injection and/or concentrate feeding.
  • Diagnosis: Based on history and response to treatment, with bone histopathology required for absolute confirmation.

Prevention

Flocks with previous issues often supplement hoggs with Vitamin D before wintering. This proactive approach can significantly reduce risk.

Rickets remains a seasonal and management-related challenge. Awareness, early detection, and preventive supplementation are essential to protect flock health.


Posted by 伊人直播 Veterinary Services on 07/01/2026

Tags: Veterinary Services, Sheep, Health Planning, Animal Welfare
Categories: Animal Welfare | Sheep | Nutrition