Fat Ewes

[devonbrion1998]

Hi all
Ok I have left my main ewe flock out on some good grass this winter along with a molasses feeder
I bought them home today, lambing in 4/5 weeks, and was shocked to find just how fat they have got, I normally would start feeding now
Could do with your thoughts on feeding going forward, should I stop the molasses and or ewe rolls?
Just a bit concerned about what to expect at lambing, never lambed any such tubby sheep

 

[Six Dogs]

Depends a lot on your breed of sheep-frequently have Romney BCS 4-5 after a winter on roots with no problem-for us it’s better to have that condition then as spring summer grazing can be poor.
Other breeds might struggle with lambing problems

 

[devonbrion1998]

Yes, They are Welsh mules and Suffolk mules would be a good BCS 4-5, not knocking it, as you say could get a dry spring/summer
Just wondering should I get them off the treacle and feed fewer rolls?I normally get them home this time of year and feed them up Pre lambing

 

[sticky]

Are they inside or out?
What is their diet?

 

[devonbrion1998]

Are they inside or out?
What is their diet?

They came home today and out in another good field of grass, probably won't need hay with the amount of grass for a while
just thinking of the concentrates? possibility of lack of milk versus overweight ewes

 

[Bokey]

Twin lamb disease in older fat triplets could be a problem to if you stop concentrates lack of of room left in gut to get enough forage in sometimes damned if you do an damned if you dont

 

[Skintagain]

I had very similar. Mine have been on silage and beet but very similar situation. Stopped the beets. Then Gave them crystalyx buckets at 7 weeks Pre lambing to keep them from twin lambing and let them slim down a bit, then started concentrates at 3 weeks out. They came in this week in nice condition

 

[neilo]

If they are in forward condition like that, and you've got grass to feed them at this time of year, I wouldn't dream of giving them any hard feed yet. My ewes that are due on March 1st haven't seen any yet, but I have taken pity on them this weekend and brought them under cover on some 13ME silage we have a few bales of. They'll be out on turnips again tomorrow though, so I can get the shed cleaned out.

Concentrates aren't compulsory, as long as you have some good quality forage, which their condition would indicate you have. Leave them out and start to trickle a small amount into them a week or so before housing (assuming they will be housed for lambing?), just to transition the rumen.

 

[devonbrion1998]

If they are in forward condition like that, and you've got grass to feed them at this time of year, I wouldn't dream of giving them any hard feed yet. My ewes that are due on March 1st haven't seen any yet, but I have taken pity on them this weekend and brought them under cover on some 13ME silage we have a few bales of. They'll be out on turnips again tomorrow though, so I can get the shed cleaned out.

Concentrates aren't compulsory, as long as you have some good quality forage, which their condition would indicate you have. Leave them out and start to trickle a small amount into them a week or so before housing (assuming they will be housed for lambing?), just to transition the rumen.

Great.. Il save the cake for nearer lambing, I normally let them lamb in a small sheltered paddock, then fetch them in for a few days then back out weather allowing

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Like @neilo says. But I’d keep on with the molasses. Keep the energy up. Grass in February isn’t usually very pokey. Nice problem too have when corn is £££.

 

[Jerry]

If they are in forward condition like that, and you've got grass to feed them at this time of year, I wouldn't dream of giving them any hard feed yet. My ewes that are due on March 1st haven't seen any yet, but I have taken pity on them this weekend and brought them under cover on some 13ME silage we have a few bales of. They'll be out on turnips again tomorrow though, so I can get the shed cleaned out.

Concentrates aren't compulsory, as long as you have some good quality forage, which their condition would indicate you have. Leave them out and start to trickle a small amount into them a week or so before housing (assuming they will be housed for lambing?), just to transition the rumen.

I’ve not used hard feed for ewes in a few years now. Turnips give them all they need right up to lambing.

lambing starts tomorrow potentially, hopefully not tonight!!



Moved first singles onto bare grass weeks ago and they hate me I’m sure. Just a bit of average haylage to fill them up.

Trips moved onto good grass 3 weeks ago with lifeline buckets freely available.

First cycle Doubles joined them 7 days ago.

second batch of doubles still in turnips but will start transitioning them 10 days before lambing.

Outside lambing still needs a good plan

 

[Sir loin]

Hi all
Ok I have left my main ewe flock out on some good grass this winter along with a molasses feeder
I bought them home today, lambing in 4/5 weeks, and was shocked to find just how fat they have got, I normally would start feeding now
Could do with your thoughts on feeding going forward, should I stop the molasses and or ewe rolls?
Just a bit concerned about what to expect at lambing, never lambed any such tubby sheep

have they been scanned?

 

[devonbrion1998]

have they been scanned?

No, I didn't bother as there's only 40, But I can guess what your thinking

 

[neilo]

Like @neilo says. But I’d keep on with the molasses. Keep the energy up. Grass in February isn’t usually very pokey. Nice problem too have when corn is £££.

That depends on the grass. If it’s regrowth since September/October then it might surprise you. I’ve heard of it regularly analysing at 11-12ME and 20+% protein, so every bit as good as a lot of concentrates.

The issue I normally have with grass in February is having any quantity of it, not quality.
If you have it, make use of it. Doing so actually increases Spring growth too, as the dairy graziers will tell you.

 

[Further a field]

I m glad someone starter this thread my ewes are fat too .they ve been on a diary farm all winter and have only had grass I bring them home 2 weeks before lambing and give them a little some corn from there onwards and increase it after they lamb for a week or too before the go back to the diary farm for the summer. It seemed to work last year ..my ewes are 3/4 texel