feeding ewes

[spark_28]

whats the best bag feed to keep condition on ewes and for milk production? place is so sodden just now that grass just wont do it, only feeding 20 so even putting out a large bale is a waste of time.

currently feeding harbro pencils plus a few slices of hay (6 pound a bale) a day just to keep them going. Id normally outwinter them on the hill but their new sheep so having to keep them locked up.

also whats better out of silage or hay?

 

[spin cycle]

how about feed blocks?.....less wastage perhaps?

 

[An ancient git]

Purchased compound feed will be a massive cost where you are .... When do you start to lamb there ? That would make a diff to comments that you receive . Hay or 'oldish' silage is all a bit academic in the equation . They just need plenty of forage , and play with cake to balance up a bit ....

 

[spark_28]

Purchased compound feed will be a massive cost where you are .... When do you start to lamb there ? That would make a diff to comments that you receive . Hay or 'oldish' silage is all a bit academic in the equation . They just need plenty of forage , and play with cake to balance up a bit ....

im paying 320 for a tonne just now which is ok compared to previous prices. would cost me 60 for a big square bale but have the problem of getting it into the croft, crap access. Best croft to keep them in, more space and better shelter.

think what im doing just now, a bucket a day plus a few slices of hay is the best plan for now, just wondering can i get a better standard of bagged feed.

 

[An ancient git]

Ask for an ingredients list .... they should be in 'descending' order .... If list looks like something recognisable (also depends on the order ) then likely ok . If you've never much heard of it , it's likely to be a cheap crap filler ! My feed has Wheat , Barley , Soya , Rapemeal , Sugar beet , molasses ,plus soya oil , vits and mins ..... so know it's half useful !! Proof was in last season results . But guess , in Western Isles , that type would be much more than £320/t . I do buy some hay in , but make own BB haylage ...... Your cost base for that would make me squirm !!

 

[spark_28]

60 pound for a big square bale.
6 pound for a small bale

winters are so so f**king wet now its depressing and taking conditon off the ewes quicker. lambing too early i think, next year ill push it back to may.

 

[An ancient git]

Serious quality bought meadow hay , 4 stringers x 8 foot in shed @ £30 . Won't depress you with cost of my own totally contractor done 5'6'' haylage ! I lamb about 23/3>10/4 here , in line with grass usually starting off on a zero-N fert system and ground dry enough . Guess , in your part of the world , this would equate to lateish April ?? Some Crystalyx type EEs may help , and likely not too much ool with Mainland prices ? When are you lambing , and can you finish lambs , or just need to sell as strong stores .... And what type of ewe /Ram used ????

 

[spark_28]

Serious quality bought meadow hay , 4 stringers x 8 foot in shed @ £30 . Won't depress you with cost of my own totally contractor done 5'6'' haylage ! I lamb about 23/3>10/4 here , in line with grass usually starting off on a zero-N fert system and ground dry enough . Guess , in your part of the world , this would equate to lateish April ?? Some Crystalyx type EEs may help , and likely not too much ool with Mainland prices ? When are you lambing , and can you finish lambs , or just need to sell as strong stores .... And what type of ewe /Ram used ????

normally sell late August, lambs will be pure lleyn or lleyn x texel. lambing last week in march.

 

[An ancient git]

Sounds a bit early up there .... Maybe a cycle later would be cheaper and easier , and the ewes may milk better ? Lambs could well make same sizes , but guess you have to ship out to certain dates ... Got Lleyn and LleynX myself and a lot depends on the size of ewes ; Lleyn can vary a lot !!