What to feed my ewes

valtraman

Member
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

Member
Location
Devon
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

Member
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

Member
Location
Devon
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

Member
Livestock Farmer
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

Member
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
 

valtraman

Member
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
 

primmiemoo

Member
Location
Devon
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.

Member
Livestock Farmer
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.
 

neilo

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Montgomeryshire
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

Member
Livestock Farmer
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.....
 

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