What to feed my ewes

[valtraman]

My ewes due to lamb mid feb onwards normally would start giving them 18% rolls a month before depending on weather and there condition etc , they are in good nick just now and thinking I should be giving ten some kick buckets or something just now to keep energy levels up ? What’s my cheapest way ?

 

[primmiemoo]

Have you scanned, or will you be scanning?
Single bearers and roly-poly doubles can drop a point in condition if they're a 3 or more now without harm, ime. If you have enough grazing, then carry on as normal without supplement for them - although an ad lib mineral might be appreciated - with the usual caveats about weather, etc.

Triplets could have a supplement, though. Depending on weather and field conditions with you, maybe a lick next month to lead in to the 18%, and bring feed up a notch?

 

[valtraman]

Have you scanned, or will you be scanning?
Single bearers and roly-poly doubles can drop a point in condition if they're a 3 or more now without harm, ime. If you have enough grazing, then carry on as normal without supplement for them - although an ad lib mineral might be appreciated - with the usual caveats about weather, etc.

Triplets could have a supplement, though. Depending on weather and field conditions with you, maybe a lick next month to add to the 18%?

They will be to get scanned hopefully before Xmas . Was just thinking something to keep there energy up. I’m not really short of grass so they should always have a bite ahead of them

 

[primmiemoo]

I've only ever used a sugar beet lick or sometimes sugar beet nuts when there might be a need for energy this sort of distance from lambing, but that's considered a bit expensive. There's molasses, and there was pot ale syrup which might be cheaper.

 

[Mc115reed]

My ewes due to lamb mid feb onwards normally would start giving them 18% rolls a month before depending on weather and there condition etc , they are in good nick just now and thinking I should be giving ten some kick buckets or something just now to keep energy levels up ? What’s my cheapest way ?

I’m due too start 28th January (scanning this weekend) all my ewes are a 3 in score I would think looking at them going too score when I scan too make sure ... I’v got some nice fresh seed grass they’re on so hoping too not feed corn or anything mid January but triplets will get a high energy bucket when I split them at the weekend...
Twins will get a fresh field of seeds and singles will follow the twins on the aftermath of there fields, ill leave singles outside until the first one lambs if weather is good, might even lamb them outside

 

[valtraman]

I've only ever used a sugar beet lick or sometimes sugar beet nuts when there might be a need for energy this sort of distance from lambing, but that's considered a bit expensive. There's molasses, and there was pot ale syrup which might be cheaper.

I had thought of molasses never used it before . How do u feed it? Sounds a messy job

 

[le bon paysan]

I had thought of molasses never used it before . How do u feed it? Sounds a messy job

If you use molasses put it in a bucket ball feeder.




But they tip it over, not if you put it in an old tyre just bigger than the bucket.

 

[hendrebc]

If you think they need something offer them some hay. Give them something dry in their bellies to slow the grass down on its way through. Silage would work but it goes off it they don't eat enough.
If there is enough grass for them they likely won't eat much but they won't eat it for fun like they would blocks or mollases.

 

[Skintagain]

As above some hay if only to eek grass out as something dry in their bellies to keep them warm.

The way lambs have been fleshing off grass here it is plenty good enough for ewes.

I would drop crustalyx in just before you scan at Christmas in your situation so none go down with stress.

 

[ford4000]

Grass will be good enough for them now. We start lambing end of February, start on silage in a month, nuts 4 or 5 weeks before they are due

 

[valtraman]

My ewes last year were super fit at scanning thenpersistent rain and storms took the condition out of them and I suffered a bit with twin lamb disease as a result . Trying to avoid that this year

 

[michael N123]

Plenty of people selling fodder beet round here we don’t start feeding them until the grass runs out tho

 

[primmiemoo]

My ewes last year were super fit at scanning thenpersistent rain and storms took the condition out of them and I suffered a bit with twin lamb disease as a result . Trying to avoid that this year

It's no fun when that happens, I know. BCS usually gives warning, so it might be worth your having Beetlick in stock, just in case of sudden drop. It keeps in the tubs ~ although it will disappear like toffees under mob attack as soon as lids come off.

 

[Estate fencing.]

My ewes last year were super fit at scanning thenpersistent rain and storms took the condition out of them and I suffered a bit with twin lamb disease as a result . Trying to avoid that this year

I had that same problem with a big bunch of mule yearling. Very fit at scanning but the weight just fell off them in feb and just couldn’t keep them going. They where still very lean until October, they never really did there lambs and put having a massive amount of mastitis down to them being so lean. Last winter was so hard on ewes.

 

[Estate fencing.]

Iv bought 150 tones of beet this year to keep the young sheep going.

 

[spin cycle]

Iv bought 150 tones of beet this year to keep the young sheep going.

how much a tonne out of interest

 

[valtraman]

Seems a wet winter is harder on the ewes than a cold one

 

[Estate fencing.]

how much a tonne out of interest

£25 delivered. It should keep 1000 young ewes and ewe lambs going the right direction. Old girls are going onto cover crops and don’t lamb until May.

 

[neilo]

Seems a wet winter is harder on the ewes than a cold one

Definitely, but feeding fit sheep now, just in case we get another freak winter like last year is a nonsense. Your mistake (& most other people’s, myself included) last year, was failing to get enough energy into them during those relentless storms in February.

If you’ve enough grass to keep a nice bite in front of them right through, then let them use it. It’s no wonder there’s little money in sheep if every wants to feed them expensive sweeties all winter.

 

[Mc115reed]

Definitely, but feeding fit sheep now, just in case we get another freak winter like last year is a nonsense. Your mistake (& most other people’s, myself included) last year, was failing to get enough energy into them during those relentless storms in February.

If you’ve enough grass to keep a nice bite in front of them right through, then let them use it. It’s no wonder there’s little money in sheep if every wants to feed them expensive sweeties all winter.

How long before lambing would you wait too start feeding corn if you were on good quality grass and plenty of it? Mid January lambing.....