TexX ewes - which Tup to use?

[Ysgythan]

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Got our pures in yesterday. Stabiliser keeps the bed dry and we’re trying to use sawdust and straw this year.

These have been in a few weeks now. Sawdust covered with straw on turn in. Another lot of sawdust and another of straw is all they’ve had since. The Texels in the other pen have had more, but rain blows in to their pen when it’s rough. Really chuffed with the results, although of course, I declare the interest.

 

[Nithsdale]

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These have been in a few weeks now. Sawdust covered with straw on turn in. Another lot of sawdust and another of straw is all they’ve had since. The Texels in the other pen have had more, but rain blows in to their pen when it’s rough. Really chuffed with the results, although of course, I declare the interest.

Looks very good! What sort of depth is the sawdust in the bottom, and then how much ontop of the first layer of straw? Will you keep layering sawdust then straw each time you bed?

 

[TexelBen]

Those are 2 fine looking beasts

I was thinking of using Cheviot on the Lleyns, but decide against it... Breeding pedigree

We've put our Cheviot with the lleyn ewes, one objected and made a bid for freedom and settled with the Texel [emoji31]

I'm just hoping they're not twice as crazy!

 

[Ysgythan]

Looks very good! What sort of depth is the sawdust in the bottom, and then how much ontop of the first layer of straw? Will you keep layering sawdust then straw each time you bed?

Just a covering, an inch or two. Throwing sawdust over straw means it disappears into the bed so you don’t get the clean look of a fresh bed of straw, but it mops up the moisture. I’m theory it will alternate, but we take the shavings when they’re available from the carpenter so may put straw more often if we haven’t got any.

 

[Nithsdale]

So, with new baby lambs imminent and winter not buggering off I decided some carpentry was due. Dad bought a lamb heat box about 25 years ago but it pretty much fell to bits last lambing. So, incase the weather is crap I got some ply sheets and a 2"x2" batton bought. An attack with the chainsaw and Tex screws later, a new box was born

Just need to rob a pair of hinges off an old door and the lid will be attached.


This also arrived today... I'm feeling a little more organised this year.

I had tried to pick up one at a farm sale... hopefully cheap
But they come in 2 condition types at sales - completely knackered, or like brand new. And both were making a lot more than I have just paid for that!! last farm sale, I didn't see any sell for less than £300.

 

[Bill dog]

Nice bit of woodwork ! Does the floor lift out to clean should it get filthy ?

 

[Nithsdale]

Nice bit of woodwork ! Does the floor lift out to clean should it get filthy ?

Cheers.

No it's fixed in. If/when it fails I'll just sit the next floor in...

I'll just blast it with the pressure washer and spray with Sorgene5 if it gets dirty. That was my practice with the old one which seemed to do fine

 

[Bill dog]

Sounds like a plan.i don’t have a warming box , but thought if the weather stays pants, I thought I could blast a pen with the diesel space heater !All due safety precautions will be considered! And ignored

 

[Nithsdale]

Sounds like a plan.i don’t have a warming box , but thought if the weather stays pants, I thought I could blast a pen with the diesel space heater !All due safety precautions will be considered! And ignored

We dont have an Aga/Range so need something... sometimes a heat lamp just isn't enough. I had a half thought about a Solway Recycling plastic one, but at £300+ I baulked. I then thought I'd get another wooden one. Same price as a plastic

£64+VAT bought 4 sheets of 9mm ply and 1 length (4.8m) of 2"x2" undressed batton. (I should have gotten 2, as I ran out of batton to support the floor, but I had spare wood to make do). I had the fan from the old box and took some rough dimensions.

Very easy to throw together, I did that this afternoon. I then put a thin plank at the top on the back sheet (see pic. 2) to give strength and stop flex - this is where I will attach the lid hinges.

54"x24"x30" (LxWxH). Vented floor is 12" off the ground for the fan and leaves 18" ''standing height" for the lambs. Holes are 20mm and all done free hand... I couldn't be bothered plotting them all out individually

 

[Bill dog]

Very nearly worth putting it on the home bodge engineering thread ! But there are too many new bits involved. I fear you would have got more brownie points if you had used old pallets and string for that thread !
Smart job

 

[Nithsdale]

This weather is a scunner! I don't think rainfall is that excessive now, but the ground just isn't getting a break/chance. Fields are totally sodden and grass is at a minimum gitters everywhere.

I'm not feeling the excitement of expectation this year... but sound the bells!!!
The first Suffolk lambs are here!!

Although I knew I could get something early it was still a pleasant surprise this morning, especially as nothing looked like doing yesterday! She's an older, home bred ewe (2012 born) - will be 3/4 lleyn or purer

Into the other batch of commercials and could see one away by herself, so got them fed and set off to see. I had a handful hop a dyke in December, obviously I missed this girl when I sorted them out a fortnight ago. Same story as girl above, home bred (2012 born) 3/4 or purer lleyn.

Both mothers seem proud of themselves, lambs are happy enough. Full bellies so I'm happy.

 

[Nithsdale]

It was all going so well...

I'm sure I'm missing something, but can't put my finger on it

 

[AftonShepherd]

It was all going so well...

I'm sure I'm missing something, but can't put my finger on it
View attachment 636034

Better now than in a week or two!

What causes the light and dark patches in your photo?

 

[polk_farmer]

Better now than in a week or two!

What causes the light and dark patches in your photo?

UFO's?

 

[AftonShepherd]

UFO's?

Possibly. Saw similar patterns about here a couple of summers ago ...

 

[Nithsdale]

Better now than in a week or two!

What causes the light and dark patches in your photo?

It's been on its way out for a while... I had chosen to ignore it


The cheeky answer would be that the dark bits are called shadows
I can't really see what you mean, though? Apart for the blueish arc below the trailer? The photo was taken facing towards the sun so it's just light distortion off the lens I think...

 

[AftonShepherd]

It was the shadows I meant. Not all that far away from you but not seen them for a while. Especially today.

 

[Nithsdale]

Ahh sorry, I get you now!! I was too busy looking to see something else

Aye, it's been a good day - got quite warm this afternoon for a while.

 

[Bill dog]

It was all going so well...

I'm sure I'm missing something, but can't put my finger on it
View attachment 636034

Did the axle shear off, or just the wheel ? Either way , Nae joy

 

[Nithsdale]

Just the bearings... although the stub axle is pretty worn getting and could do with being replaced.

Luckily the weight goes all onto the back corner of the trailer, so I just dragged it home She's repaired and running tonight again