When to wean lambs

[Dicky.A]

Nicely got finished lambing. Wondering if I should wean at 10 weeks (mid April) or 12 weeks (start May) or later? To make best advantage of grass. Lambs on creep.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Won’t you just kill them off their mothers? If on creep

 

[Dicky.A]

Running 3 in 1 feeders. Want to nip them up and save on creep bill. Cut grazing competition. Also want to bring ewes in to dry them off, had mastitis problems in past.

 

[unlacedgecko]

If taking significant amounts of creep you could wean at 8 weeks.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

If taking significant amounts of creep you could wean at 8 weeks.

I wouldn’t bother spaning them if eating ad lib creep...just get them killed

 

[MDL POWERUP]

Singles 'should' be gone at 12 weeks anyway and twins at 16 week normally. Kill them off their mothers, still plenty of time before tupping again!

 

[puppet]

We get first lambs away fat at 12 weeks which is late June. Straight off mothers, no creep.
Yours should be eating plenty grass by mid-April and growing without creep. I wouldn't wean them if going fat as they will just bleat for 3 days. Occasional mastitis here but not worth bringing them in even if that would prevent it as I am not sure it does.

 

[wdah/him]

I weaned at 10 weeks last year. Ran the ewes tight and gave the lambs prefeance. I will do the same this year.

 

[MDL POWERUP]

We get first lambs away fat at 12 weeks which is late June. Straight off mothers, no creep.
Yours should be eating plenty grass by mid-April and growing without creep. I wouldn't wean them if going fat as they will just bleat for 3 days. Occasional mastitis here but not worth bringing them in even if that would prevent it as I am not sure it does.

Early lambs won't grow much after 6 weeks without creep as milk drops off and grass is poor. If the grass is there (later lambing) fair enough. But there won't be much about on march in most places. Creep will get them away far faster.

 

[countrylad]

I wean when my youngest lambs hit nearly bang on 10 weeks, unless there are any really late lambers. Then they get weaned in 2 lots (I know I’m a glutton for punishment). If on creep could maybe get away with 8 weeks, but think that would be pushing it. If ewes get mastitis issues then put creep gates in the fields if you need to kill lambs off them. Otherwise like you say, yarded and on straw only for 2/3 days