Lamb Macs

[Jerry]

Does anyone actually use these?

I lamb out, and a few weeks earlier this year than normal, starting next week. Have used foil to wrap a couple lambs last year till I could get them under cover and think it helped.

Was wondering about lamb macs from Shearwell, do they make a difference in wet weather? On,y a few pennies each so might get some in case we go back to wet gales again!

 

[GTB]

I'm sure they help but when we tried them many years ago they were miles too big for charolais x welsh mountaun lambs.

 

[JohnGalway]

I've used them, lamb indoors now though. When it's cold and wet weather I'd much rather a lamb use their energy growing than keeping (extra) warm if you get me. Plus if the back leg holders break it's a bit of fun watching the little ovine superheroes race around with "capes" on I have been glad to use them on a couple of occasions to be honest. You can get different sizes.

 

[hally]

Brilliant things we have used them for years rarely have a lamb go down in the cold with one of those on. Loads of guys around here use them but get the right size to match your lambs, also we like the clear one as you can still see the lamb if it is hungry or if you have numbered them .
Couldnt recommend them highly enough

 

[GTB]

You can get different sizes.

How times have changed!

 

[Downtrodden Dad]

Use them on most of the lambs unless the weather is good. Cheap insurance IMO.

 

[Nithsdale]

Tried them but didn't think they helped much.

I prefer to work with genetics which stand upto all but the worst weather

 

[Jerry]

Well I have ordered some for Shearwell, no sizing options though. Lambs are normally good sized, Charolais out of Lleyn ewes.

Clear but looks like they have the Shearwell logo on them so mini walking adverts for them!

 

[llamedos]

Yes used them, see the Bleuuuugh d maine thread
I would say they were worth it at the time, the clear ones seemed to last better than the orange ones, they were a bit flimsy and the leg slits too low, so they ripped out easier, but it made lamb national much more interesting, and you could spot the dead ones easier joke!

 

[hinchy]

Brilliant for new borns when pi$$ing it down. Went up to one lamb in the rain last year fearing the worst, it was fast asleep. Woke, stood up and shook itself, the amount of water that flicked off it was alarming. Can only be a good thing provided you don't break the bond with the ewe.

 

[Girlfarmer]

We use the shearwell ones. They're quite generously sized and are the only ones that fit and last longer than a few hours on our texel beltex lambs. Would definitely recommend them after having tried numerous brands.

 

[penntor]

Yes, have used them a lot over the years, clear are best. One word of warning, do not use them on Jacob lambs, the mothers hate them, even the clear ones and will reject the lamb, even when it is removed.
Not had this problem with other breeds.

 

[Jerry]

Do you just put them on lambs if weather looks poor? Assume this is after they have mothered up properly?

 

[JohnGalway]

Do you just put them on lambs if weather looks poor? Assume this is after they have mothered up properly?

Pretty much, had the odd "Oh sh!t! What's that?!" jumpy reaction from ewes, but never a rejection. Did have one slightly bite into one lamb under a foreleg, made the skin a little raw more than anything else, probably a solved issue by now.

 

[foobar]

My BWM ewes hate them, and will rip them off their lambs backs, even if they are clear ones.

 

[hally]

Brilliant for new borns when pi$$ing it down. Went up to one lamb in the rain last year fearing the worst, it was fast asleep. Woke, stood up and shook itself, the amount of water that flicked off it was alarming. Can only be a good thing provided you don't break the bond with the ewe.

Yeah we always mac them at least an hour before they go out

 

[hally]

Do you just put them on lambs if weather looks poor? Assume this is after they have mothered up properly?

Yes there is no point in using them in good weather just creating work

 

[redcoo235]

Get on really well with them. Can be a bit of a pain to get on when you are trying to hold one lamb and get the jacket on the other while its howling a gale! Maybe get one ewe a year that will reject a lamb but never found it to be an issue and we put them on outside lambed lambs. If you get a chance on a really crap weather day feel how dry and warm the wool is underneath, bound to make a difference. Have tried most makes, found shearwell the best and netex the worst. Keep away from the orange ones as you have to write a number on them with a marker pen as you cant see anything below.

 

[JohnGalway]

Can be a bit of a pain to get on when you are trying to hold one lamb and get the jacket on the other while its howling a gale!

Leave one lamb on the floor with it's neck held between your ankles. Frees up both hands to jacket the lamb in your hands, then work on the second fella.

One of the secrets of lambing time, pockets, lots of pockets! And not on the lamb jackets!

 

[Bones]

One of my rams this year was a rouge ,so might be needing a few jackets