Using swadust in lambing pens

[Jim75]

Does anyone use sawdust in the little pens once they've lambed in there big groups? Have spoken in the past of doing it but discounted for various reasons. Couple folk have mentioned it recently so thought I would ask. Cheers

 

[Downton_shep]

I wouldn't want to put wet lambs on sawdust.

 

[Dave6170]

Dad uses sawdust in pens. But we lamb outside only problems come inside so theyre not used much....... Famous last words!

 

[Bones]

A bit expensive and a bitch to clean out ,but it does work ,

 

[polk_farmer]

Works good in turn out pens once the lambs are dry. But wet lambs get caggled in it.

 

[Jim75]

A bit expensive and a bitch to clean out ,but it does work ,

Would it need to be kiln dried stuff if you were going to do it rather than the fresher stuff for bugs etc? Fresh stuff can be had for free. I'd think kiln dried stuff would put the cost way out compared to the fresh sawmill kind. The lambs getting caked in it has always been our worry but always looking for different ways

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Shavings would be better and mix lime with it

 

[neilo]

I seem to remember reading about someone using pine shavings as lambing pen bedding, which apparently have a disinfecting effect too. Even though I have my own straw, I was considering trying some (if I can find a source) in my few pens.

Edit: This stuff.....
http://www.stockmaxshavings.com/sheep/

 

[Jim75]

I seem to remember reading about someone using pine shavings as lambing pen bedding, which apparently have a disinfecting effect too. Even though I have my own straw, I was considering trying some (if I can find a source) in my few pens.

Edit: This stuff.....
http://www.stockmaxshavings.com/sheep/

Did you get a price @neilo

 

[FE35]

Neighbour used it last year, wasn't a success lambs end up clagged up in it unless they were totally dry. Shavings may be better. In the end we used it with straw on top & it was quite good at making straw last longer

 

[neilo]

Did you get a price @neilo

Not yet, might have a look see locally tomorrow.

 

[Joe]

Use shavings here for pet lambs great job, had to use it for few lambing pens in 2014 when straw was impossible to get total disaster. Sticks to lambs etc

 

[AvonValleyFarmer]

Seen the pine shavings for £9.50 per 20kg, but that was from a horsey place so one would assume it could be got for less.

Never heard of it for bedding sheep before though, might give it a try in the sick bay come lambing.

 

[Bones]

Seen the pine shavings for £9.50 per 20kg, but that was from a horsey place so one would assume it could be got for less.

Never heard of it for bedding sheep before though, might give it a try in the sick bay come lambing.

Around £6 pound

 

[Lazy Eric]

We use pine shavings, find them very effective and handy to distribute from the plastic clad bale. , we paying about 4.30 a bale as we buy by the pallet. We have around 70 pens so the extra cost is absorbed by the ease of use.

 

[Jim75]

We use pine shavings, find them very effective and handy to distribute from the plastic clad bale. , we paying about 4.30 a bale as we buy by the pallet. We have around 70 pens so the extra cost is absorbed by the ease of use.

How much will you use at lambing time? Got about 60 pens to bed up

 

[Gator]

Only used sawdust when I used to forget to turn the tap off

Straw un lime

 

[llamedos]

Used to use it under straw mixed with lime in pre turnout pens if weather was bad. Ok, wouldn't use it in lambing pens.

 

[Lazy Eric]

How much will you use at lambing time? Got about 60 pens to bed up

We lamb around 1300 all inside over about 2 months and use roughly 4- 5 pallets. 240ish bales .. not cheap I know but we have vet students and they find them easy to handle.

 

[Downton_shep]

We lamb around 1300 all inside over about 2 months and use roughly 4- 5 pallets. 240ish bales .. not cheap I know but we have vet students and they find them easy to handle.

What's it like when your getting to the end of lambing or do you clean out after each ewe?