Feeding old ewes

[Cymro 33]

I'm looking for an alternative to feeding creep feed to old ewes. I still have a bit of grass but quality will be getting low getting into winter. Just need to fatten a little bit to get most out of them.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Urea molasses through lick feeders

 

[livestock 1]

I'm looking for an alternative to feeding creep feed to old ewes. I still have a bit of grass but quality will be getting low getting into winter. Just need to fatten a little bit to get most out of them.

I’ve fed ewes (culls) on brewers grains and sugar beet pellets mixed before now 3/2 ratio or 4/1 ratio. If that’s what you mean

 

[Cymro 33]

Yes just a cheaper way to fatten culls. They are in decent condition but need to put a bit more weight on them without getting over fat.

 

[livestock 1]

Yes just a cheaper way to fatten culls. They are in decent condition but need to put a bit more weight on them without getting over fat.

There’s nothing cheap but ewes don’t need much in the way of quality to fatten them however they will convert very badly
Cake as you say is too dear. The grains are best in a 29t load have you got a few to sell?

 

[Cymro 33]

I have about 500 and been picking into them often lately to keep up with customer demand. Could do with finishing them qwicker than on just grass.

 

[Optimus]

I’ve fed ewes (culls) on brewers grains and sugar beet pellets mixed before now 3/2 ratio or 4/1 ratio. If that’s what you mean

We do the same sometimes.draff,sugar beet an maybe a bit of bread/biscuit in it.

 

[livestock 1]

I have about 500 and been picking into them often lately to keep up with customer demand. Could do with finishing them qwicker than on just grass.

Oh well there’s enough sheep for you to use grains then. They aren’t the fastest thing to fatten anything on I always used to say ok if you’re not in a hurry but ewes are greedy things so will feed on faster than most other stuff. They need to be mixed as above. Sugar beet or wheat feed pellets or such like. Ring KW they will tell you what’s available at what price

 

[Norfolk Hill Farmer]

Oh well there’s enough sheep for you to use grains then. They aren’t the fastest thing to fatten anything on I always used to say ok if you’re not in a hurry but ewes are greedy things so will feed on faster than most other stuff. They need to be mixed as above. Sugar beet or wheat feed pellets or such like. Ring KW they will tell you what’s available at what price

How do you feed the Brewers grains to avoid waste, feed barrier perhaps?

 

[Skintagain]

They are better gone if you are running out of grass

 

[Optimus]

How do you feed the Brewers grains to avoid waste, feed barrier perhaps?

We mix it then put it in the 80/100kg feed tubs.

 

[livestock 1]

How do you feed the Brewers grains to avoid waste, feed barrier perhaps?

We have some feed barriers yes. Just mix it with jcb bucket 5/1 or 5/2 then tip it infront of the barriers. Have some oblong feeders too and tip it in there. It won’t run in hoppers.

 

[livestock 1]

They are better gone if you are running out of grass

If you have a shed spare and time they will be worth feeding at the minute. There’s a huge gap between lean ewes and fit ones. The clever bit is only buying/feeding the ones that will put flesh on. Trouble is getting the grains and having the time.
Grass always wins but it needs to be good grass

 

[Cymro 33]

I usually but them in to fatten from now on. Usually on lamb creep and they do really well on it. But this year all my sheds are full of hay that I made this summer. And the fact that creep is very expensive. Would feeding something from midland feeds be an option?

 

[unlacedgecko]

Alternatively, whole oats and barley through a 3in1 feeder.

 

[Skintagain]

Unless a decent number I can’t see it worth bringing them in. I think you will be spending a pound to make a pound

 

[livestock 1]

I usually but them in to fatten from now on. Usually on lamb creep and they do really well on it. But this year all my sheds are full of hay that I made this summer. And the fact that creep is very expensive. Would feeding something from midland feeds be an option?

I’m using some for cattle it’s best for big stores. Ewes will eat it but £185 ish tipped for the starchy one. Bit dearer for the higher protein ones or in smaller loads dearer.
Oats and barley would be better I think as @unlacedgecko says

 

[Cymro 33]

Alternatively, whole oats and barley through a 3in1 feeder.

Could be a option thanks