Rearing triplets

Yes works sometimes if the timing is perfect, not practical outside ,Put a mark on them and see how many you pick up cold or watch them nicking milk else were . As for stocks ,tying up near dogs ,skinning etc gave up all that got better more worthwhile things to do . Each to their own, l'm a farmer not god.

We foster lots of lambs on, both inside and outside, usually pretty straight forward, takes a few mins as passing by.

Every single that rears twins, and every triplet not rearing three is a success. . . . . less work for us, and more money in the bank.

Not sure what other more worthwhile things we have to do at lambing?
 

neilo

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Montgomeryshire
I always bring ewes in to foster, if only to make sure. Always try o take hers off and put two fresh on if I can, but that is very much breed dependant. My old Texel ewes would take another (at birth) no bother, the Highlanders seem much wiser for some reason, even when they've not licked their own lamb. I'm convinced it goes hand in hand with less mis-mothering when lambing naturally out in a paddock.

I won't ever leave a triplet on though, I've had too many problems from it over the years. If I can't foster one on somewhere, I'd rather rear it on the machine and break even on it. If lambs fall in value drastically, then I'd rather 'remove' it from the equation, rather than rear it badly and compromise the rest of the litter and the ewe.
 

digger64

Member
We foster lots of lambs on, both inside and outside, usually pretty straight forward, takes a few mins as passing by.

Every single that rears twins, and every triplet not rearing three is a success. . . . . less work for us, and more money in the bank.

Not sure what other more worthwhile things we have to do at lambing?
I look at the big picture not the small one in front of me , been there done all that , guess it depends how you value your own time /resources how stretched you are at that time of year . But I have watched the sheep - sort of self critized /analysed you can delude yourself. I think alot the interference just doesnt pay especially outside if the weather is against you .inside making sure all lambs are feeding/ colostrum intake is more important and worthwhile than trying to outwit ewes etc, when other stock / crops need your attention .As I said each to their own
 

MJT

Member
I always bring ewes in to foster, if only to make sure. Always try o take hers off and put two fresh on if I can, but that is very much breed dependant. My old Texel ewes would take another (at birth) no bother, the Highlanders seem much wiser for some reason, even when they've not licked their own lamb. I'm convinced it goes hand in hand with less mis-mothering when lambing naturally out in a paddock.

I won't ever leave a triplet on though, I've had too many problems from it over the years. If I can't foster one on somewhere, I'd rather rear it on the machine and break even on it. If lambs fall in value drastically, then I'd rather 'remove' it from the equation, rather than rear it badly and compromise the rest of the litter and the ewe.

Agree on different breeds being harder to fool, had cheviot and aberdale singles lambing this morning, both wet lambs onto cheviot as they are pretty selective on what they'll take to , and aberdale was happy with 2 older lambs covered in fluid!
 

Bones

Member
Location
n Ireland
I always bring ewes in to foster, if only to make sure. Always try o take hers off and put two fresh on if I can, but that is very much breed dependant. My old Texel ewes would take another (at birth) no bother, the Highlanders seem much wiser for some reason, even when they've not licked their own lamb. I'm convinced it goes hand in hand with less mis-mothering when lambing naturally out in a paddock.

I won't ever leave a triplet on though, I've had too many problems from it over the years. If I can't foster one on somewhere, I'd rather rear it on the machine and break even on it. If lambs fall in value drastically, then I'd rather 'remove' it from the equation, rather than rear it badly and compromise the rest of the litter and the ewe.
'Remove' it from the equation , does that mean a tap to the head ?
 

Moorlands

Member
Location
West yorkshire
Triplets never left on here only knackers the ewe and leaves you with scratty lambs.
Ewes have to have a dam good excuse to get away with only rearing one lamb here too cos singles don't pay.
Either get them wet mothered up or if I miss the moment or we have a disaster then it's in to stocks asap then they can't get used to have one or no lambs. Or they will be a pain in arse!
Always remove there own lamb when in stock too and put 2 new lambs on.
Number adopted lambs with a different colour so can keep an eye on them but rarely an issue.
 

scholland

Member
Location
ze3
I didn't want to stick my head above the parapet but after listening to Trevor cook at a couple meetings this week who advocated leaving triplets on I can see his point and after leaving trips on, on a small scale will carry on doing it on a case by case.
You at the grazing conference? Would have liked to go buy couldn't make it.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 79 42.9%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 63 34.2%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 16.3%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 6 3.3%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

  • 1,287
  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
Top