Crutching before lambing

[Norfolk Hill Farmer]

At my son’s insistence, we have crutched all the ewes this year before they lamb. Not too onerous a task with the combi clamp, but yet another job to do with the sheep.
Do other people on the forum do this ? and do they think it is worthwhile ?

 

[CopperBeech]

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I think it's about as worthwhile as chain harrowing all the grassland in the spring

 

[Aspiring Peasants]

Was always told it's better for them to have a bit of wool to protect the udder in cold weather from getting chilled , which increases mastitis risk

 

[CopperBeech]

The advantage I can see, if you can see what’s going on better.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

The advantage I can see, if you can see what’s going on better.

one reason I don't keep NZ Romneys, was I read that they need to be belly sheared prior to lambing (to make sure the lambs can find the teat). I have no idea if this is true. I decided sheep either need lots of wool or no wool, otherwise you are between two stools, all the costs of wool without the sales of a reasonable amount.

 

[pauld]

I do them after they lamb when they are turned out . Worm them and give them a squirt of Clik at same time and this seems to keep the maggots away until they are shorn.

 

[Jonp]

Will only do a few dirty tails after lambing...why make more work?

 

[unlacedgecko]

I pre lamb shear. I'm moving towards a full shedding flock so won't need to do even this eventually.

 

[Six Dogs]

Yes we pre lamb crutch but with Romney’s it would be hell if we didn’t
Then Clik at 4 weeks post lambing and autumn shear everything,which keeps them clean on roots

 

[ritchiekirkland]

Crutch pre lambing, same time as Heptavac , keeps them clean as all the lambing “gunk” don’t stick . X Romney’s though . Easier to see too . Don’t believe in the udder chill myth one bit , mastitis caused by bacteria not the temperature .

 

[copse]

Always do them here as they stay clean until shearing. Would rather do it as ewes come inside than doing it when they have lambs before shearing when I have plenty of other things to be getting on with.

 

[Lincs]

Yes we pre lamb crutch but with Romney’s it would be hell if we didn’t
Then Clik at 4 weeks post lambing and autumn shear everything,which keeps them clean on roots

How late would you autumn shear before going on to roots?

 

[andybk]

yes crutch here , as above early flies/ maggots get attracted to any muck on tail first ,spring grass can make a mess in some , dont take a big chunk off just around tail , they are usually shorn early anyway (may)

 

[Six Dogs]

How late would you autumn shear before going on to roots?

Usually first week of September,it gives your Head a wiggle having ewes full Wool all summer but in the heat of 2018 they were out grazing in the heat of the day

 

[neilo]

Usually first week of September,it gives your Head a wiggle having ewes full Wool all summer but in the heat of 2018 they were out grazing in the heat of the day

We do the same here too, as it makes shearing so much easier. We were reported to, and had a visit from, the RSPCA that summer for having sheep that we hadn’t bothered to shear.

Mrs NeilO sent him to look at a neighbours (shorn) sheep and he went away happy having not seen ours.

 

[CopperBeech]

When we had a couple of thousand mules lambing in May, we used to shear them start of April. Never could understand wanting to pay 60p to crutch the damn sheep, the. Another £1.50 only a couple months later to shear it. And mess about with fly protection etc in between.

 

[Bucks Boy]

Crutch sheep out pre tapping. Particularly ewe lambs. Every sheep in lamb so I think it helps. Sheep then clean all the way through to lambing. Crutch again after lambing then clean till shearing in June.

 

[Bald n Grumpy]

Don't like crutching ewe's until weather warms a bit as a bit of cover helps IMO.
When I've tupped ewe lambs I crutch them and trim in front of the udder when they go to the TUP so when they lamb there is some wool growth but not a lot.
Not having any problems with Romney's not crutched and they didn't get a September shearing this year either

 

[beardface]

Normally crutch when we bolus at scanning. Didn't bother this year as we're lambing a bit earlier and they were clean. Odd mucky one now. Will crutch mucky arses at first wormer and thinking of putting clickzin on ewes then shearing after weaning.