Author Topic: What should ram lambs eat? (Read 8287 times)

Fleecewife · « **Reply #15 on:** July 12, 2013, 12:31:03 am »

Thanks funkyfish - forgive my elderly brain

Bionic · « **Reply #16 on:** July 12, 2013, 07:48:30 am »

thankyou all for your suggestions.
Fleecewife you are right in that they spot the blue bucket and will come running before they know if anything is in it. Perhaps I will put some stones in for the rattle

By the way I have Ryelands

Ladygrey · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2013, 08:39:51 am »

Mine all come for the bucket still and the last time they got any feed was in March!
As soon as they had lambed then they have had nothing since, lambs haven't had anything either, the grass is more than good enough for them at the moment.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2013, 10:30:24 am »

I agree. I've extended this to training to call and they all gallop up the field without a bucket in sight. Also agree on grass, unless they're Continentals or their crosses you're trying to finish for the lamb market. Cheap to finish is the big advantage of native breeds.

Foobar · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2013, 10:45:05 am »

Mine can't always hear (or see) a bucket from a distance, especially if it's windy, so I too just call them now (a rather extended "Commme on!"), and they come running. It's very handy. My neighbours must think I'm a loon though

.
They associate it with moving to fresh grass so are always very keen.

(And in answer to the original question, defo grass

.)

EP90 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2013, 11:45:36 am »

Just out of ‘geeky’ interest, what is in Ewe feeds that upsets the boys. What’s the benefit that it’s put in Ewe feed?
I have two ram lambs on grass, so it’s only to increase my very limited knowledge of sheep rearing.

Foobar · « **Reply #21 on:** July 12, 2013, 12:00:33 pm »

I think it's the calcium:phosphorous ratio (which needs to be 2:1 or greater), and the added magnesium.
However, (being a geek

) I collate the analysis of all the feeds that I've used on a spreadsheet and I can't find one that has Ca:P ratio of less than 2:1. So maybe it's more about the magnesium levels.

Ahh yes.. see here:
http://www.heygatesfeeds.co.uk/urinary-calculi/

shygirl · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2013, 12:37:43 pm »

it usually says on the label not for rams etc.

shep53 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 12, 2013, 12:48:06 pm »

Calcined magnesite ( magnesium oxide ) is normaly added to prevent staggers

shygirl · « **Reply #24 on:** July 12, 2013, 12:52:57 pm »

what does it do to the rams again? i cant remember but does it give them kidney /prostrate stones or something?

EP90 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 13, 2013, 02:04:32 pm »

Quote from: foobar on July 12, 2013, 12:00:33 pm

I think it's the calcium:phosphorous ratio (which needs to be 2:1 or greater), and the added magnesium.
However, (being a geek ) I collate the analysis of all the feeds that I've used on a spreadsheet and I can't find one that has Ca:P ratio of less than 2:1. So maybe it's more about the magnesium levels.

Ahh yes.. see here:
http://www.heygatesfeeds.co.uk/urinary-calculi/

Interesting point about castrating increases the risk of stones. Informative site aswell, thanks.

17AndCounting · « **Reply #26 on:** July 13, 2013, 05:20:27 pm »

We only give our sheep a little food from the bucket every now and then at the moment - enough to remind them it's worth running for the bucket really!

Pomme homme · « **Reply #27 on:** July 13, 2013, 09:56:33 pm »

Broad bean pods, coarsely chopped. It's a win-win solution. We go crazy for the young broad beans. The ram lambs do the same for the fresh pods. Is this a symbiotic relationship?