Keeping Sheep Condition

Aye-up,

Me again......

We have a bunch of TX x Mule ewe lambs that we bought last summer to run round and hopefully sell as breeding ewes this summer. They keep the grass down and cause minimal work so fit in well.

A few weeks ago I thought they were in good order. They handled well, had grown nicely and I remember thinking most of them could go to Farmers Fresh if we needed the cash flow!

Today I've put my hand on them and they've gone back a bit.

They are on permanent pasture with fodder beet every day. I know the grass isn't too clever this time of year but I was surprised how they've lost a bit of their shine.

Am I not feeding enough protein, or is it just to be expected? I don't want them slipping too far back. What would be a good, cost effective way of keeping them ticking over?

I'll remember all your advice when I make my first million. I'm sure it won't be long now.......

Cheers, Pete
 

jemski

Member
Location
Dorset
Mine had a high worm count last week, which suprised me but probably shouldn't have as the grass is still growing. I'd get a fec done and check for fluke too.
Fodder beet hasn't really got enough protein to finish lambs.
 
No, I don't want to finish them, but I still don't want them dropping down a peg.

We gave them Dectomax last week and we wormed/fluked them back in late October after a count revealed a slight need to do so. I don't remember the figure.

They've not got skinny and they look very well, I was just surprised they had dropped back.
 

Man_in_black

Member
Livestock Farmer
Do you want to finish them, I thought you were really storing them over winter so they could be moved on and sold next Summer? In which case as long as they aren't "starving" or full of parasites then it doesn't matter if they get a bit rangy in my book.

Losing too much condition now though can have lifelong effects. Ewe lambs not receiving adequate nutrition now will never reach full potential as shearling (18month old) ewes & have less of a response to future management (e.g. flushing)
 
Losing too much condition now though can have lifelong effects. Ewe lambs not receiving adequate nutrition now will never reach full potential as shearling (18month old) ewes & have less of a response to future management (e.g. flushing)


That's what I was afraid of.

you'll be in trouble @GTB ....if bobo gets here:D:D:D

i reckon bit of protein.....put a feedblock out...that'll tell you how hungry they are;)

They have a molasses based bucket out. They haven't touched it for weeks on end. Each time it rains I tip it out and that's all that gets used!
 

beardface

Member
Location
East Yorkshire
Personally I wouldn't worry unless there looking worse for it. I always find ewe lambs that are run a bit lean over winter fill out like mushrooms in spring/summer especially if sheared early. Whereas ones that are fed over the winter tend to go backwards faster in a dry summer and never look aswell the following backend. Would be a different story if they were in lamb though.
 
Losing too much condition now though can have lifelong effects. Ewe lambs not receiving adequate nutrition now will never reach full potential as shearling (18month old) ewes & have less of a response to future management (e.g. flushing)

Well I said rangy. It's too easy to forget they go through a teenage phase. They get bigger ie heavier but lose cs points - it's a store period.
 

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