Clover too young to graze lambs?

[Boydvalley]

Got offered this today. Not grazed young clover this time of year. Hardly any grass. Would be worried in the summer. Lambs are on red clover at the moment but much older stuff with some grass in it. Thoughts appreciated.

 

[Bury the Trash]

What are you worried about ?

 

[Boydvalley]

Bloat

From your reply maybe I shouldn’t be!

 

[Bury the Trash]

Bloat

I don't ever remember sheep blowing on clover.
And They will be used to it.
Pulpy kidney might at times have raised its ugly head , if they haven't been jabbed for clostridials.

 

[Boydvalley]

Lost a few in the past in the middle of summer on young stuff. Always seem to be when the grass had nearly gone hence the question

 

[neilo]

I’d get it grazed, before a frost curls it up. If you don’t want to, i’ll Send some down to help you out.

 

[Boydvalley]

I’d get it grazed, before a frost curls it up. If you don’t want to, i’ll Send some down to help you out.

You’re too kind

 

[Dkb]

Just make sure their not hungry when your letting them in

 

[Badshot]

Had trouble with redgut through the last summer of sheep here, too much clover.
May not be an issue this time of year though

 

[cotswoldcs]

Looks great, quite envious in fact. How about strip/block grazing with an electric fence to utilise it better and restrict intake initially.

 

[Skintagain]

Bloody hell that looks well! I will bring some lambs/ewes/guinea pigs/rabbits/eat it myself if @neilo doesn't turn up

 

[Bury the Trash]

Ive been putting out the odd bale of hay in a red clover grazing lot, its been so wet for a month they seem to like somethjng dry to chew on .

 

[dogjon]

Had trouble with redgut through the last summer of sheep here, too much clover.
May not be an issue this time of year though

What is redgut?

 

[Badshot]

What is redgut?

Redgut is a nasty condition.

Basically you find the best lambs dead, no symptoms, just suddenly dead.
They need more roughage than clover can provide, but my problems were through summer not autumn.

 

[andybk]

often graze clover the same this time of year , they will do well on it (make sure vax is up to date) first frost most will disappear over night . if you can a bale or two of hay will help to give some fibre but not essential .

 

[andybk]

What is redgut?

intestinal torsion another name , rich easily digested protein getting into intestine causing gas buildup , soya will do the same when lambs on milk , often why you loose the bottle lambs at 5 weeks old , before rumen working properly .

 

[Boydvalley]

How do you diagnose redgut. Post-mortem

 

[andybk]

How do you diagnose redgut. Post-mortem

knife , intestines are bright red from haemorrhaging . usually the best ones