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Author Topic: Small flock problems  (Read 4660 times)

Liz Kershaw

  • Joined Aug 2014
Small flock problems
« on: April 30, 2016, 10:54:50 pm »
I have a small flock of 8 Ryelands which includes twins born last week (doing well). There is another ewe pregnant and due on the 10th. So far, I have been keeping the ewe and her twins separate from the rest of the flock and bringing them inside the stable at night (flock is 3 X 2 year old ewes, 1 ewe and her wether twin aged one). I have two questions: can I mix the small twins in with the established flock? And if I do, will this help with predator problems? Apart from foxes, we discovered a badger sett on our land today.
« Last Edit: April 30, 2016, 11:04:54 pm by Liz Kershaw »

pharnorth

  • Joined Nov 2013
  • Cambridgeshire
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2016, 11:13:42 pm »
Probably best in at night but should mix ok providing you can manage the predator risk.

Liz Kershaw

  • Joined Aug 2014
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2016, 11:26:18 pm »
Thank you - how long can I keep bringing them in at night? It's not very difficult to do but part of me feels they should be going out soon. The local gamekeeper has been having a go at the foxes but not sure how much of a threat the badger(s) will be?

Brandi

  • Joined Oct 2012
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2016, 07:00:12 am »
I would be bringing them in at night too, badger is a real threat and cannot of course be controlled in same way as fox population

Slimjim

  • Joined Apr 2013
  • North Devon
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2016, 08:45:51 am »
I don't think you can rely on the other sheep to protect the lambs at any time. I too have a small flock and both foxes and badgers nearby. For a start, I keep the new lamb families in for 4-7 days then in at night for at least another week. I don't think there is any shame in mollicoddling the lambs in this way if it means they stand a better chance of surviving.

BenBhoy

  • Joined Aug 2011
  • Nottinghamshire
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2016, 09:00:04 am »
It's horses for courses, they can pick up things being indoor that wouldn't be a issue outside.

I lamb outside, touch wood this year no issues although do have badgers about.


Marches Farmer

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Herefordshire
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2016, 09:20:18 am »
I'd tend to err on the side of caution and bring them in at night until the lambs can at least run to Mum in a sensible manner.  A very hungry badger or fox won't be dissuaded by the ewes so there's no guarantee.

Bionic

  • Joined Dec 2010
  • Talley, Carmarthenshire
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #7 on: May 01, 2016, 09:21:38 am »
Liz, I have a small flock of Ryelands too.

Although we haven't lambed this year, previously I brought the girls into the stable when they were due and kept them there for a bit after lambing.

If the weather was good I put them out during the day but kept them in at night for about a week.
Life is like a bowl of cherries, mostly yummy but some dodgy bits

Sbom

  • Joined Jul 2012
  • Staffordshire
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #8 on: May 01, 2016, 10:52:38 am »
Ours lamb outside so have a mix of fresh lambs, older lambs and unlambed and we only bring in anything not thriving.
Do you have a problem with foxes taking lambs? If not I'd just leave them out, it's where they are designed to be!

Hellybee

  • Joined Feb 2010
    • www.blaengwawrponies.co.uk
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2016, 11:33:08 am »
If they're strong and like lightening they go out in field after a few days, if they're small or with a young mother, first timer, they hang about til we feel bond is better, on yard or in our case slopey garden and barn, til  lamb a bit stronger.  So depends on the individual i suppose :thinking:  the only ones we have locked down now are  two teeny ones and they're Dams and five ewes with three sets twins n teo singles four days old a piece. Everyone else is out in field waiting for routine and even then they have half a barn too plus lighting if lambs wanna cuddle up out of the rain.  We also tend to socialise lambs before they go out the field. 
« Last Edit: May 01, 2016, 11:36:06 am by Hellybee »

waterbuffalofarmer

  • Joined Apr 2014
  • Mid Wales
  • Owner of 61 Mediterranean water buffaloes
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #10 on: May 01, 2016, 11:41:36 am »
I lamb all of my sheep outdorrs between April and may. We used to have a fox problem,but not anymore. Do you have any other fields away from where the badgers are that they could go in? As long as the lambs are quite strong and can run quite fast they shouldnt  be too much of a threat, havibg said that though badgers can run very fast. I dont know whether there is a permanent soloution to this
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Marches Farmer

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Herefordshire
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #11 on: May 01, 2016, 11:46:45 am »
Yes, there is and we all know what the answer is!

pharnorth

  • Joined Nov 2013
  • Cambridgeshire
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #12 on: May 01, 2016, 01:12:24 pm »
I have a small flock of Ryelands too.  We lamb inside because we can. My thinking is with a small flock the pneumonia/ill joint risks are less as low density and lots of ventilation and the predator risk slightly higher as a small flock for foxy to pick off. Probably fanciful but it helped me sleep at night. 200% lambing and none lost to predators. If only it was scaleable!

Liz Kershaw

  • Joined Aug 2014
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2016, 01:36:59 pm »
Thank you so much for your helpful replies - the indoor pen only has the. Twins and mum in it and the ventilation is good. So far I have been bringing them in at dusk and letting them out at 6ish. The lambs are sturdy and can run - one week old today.

Anke

  • Joined Dec 2009
  • St Boswells, Scottish Borders
Re: Small flock problems
« Reply #14 on: May 01, 2016, 02:43:08 pm »
Since losing a lamb to a badger (probably but not proven - we have a very active badger set on site and fresh tracks most mornings) a few years ago, I always bring my new families into a smaller enclosure at night time, still outside (my lambing shed has been taken over by the goats full-time.., so all sheep activity is done outside anyway.) but easier for them to pair up. I also feed in there, so the ewes are queuing up from 7pm onwards...

Not had any problems when the ewes are actually lambing, but mine a Shetlands - well suited to living and lambing outside. Not sure Ryelands are though... if they are very woolly on their faces, it helps to cut away some of their wool from their cheeks so it helps them to see their lambs and probably also any predators (I found that with the Bowmonts... forever losing their offspring)

When I have bottle lambs they tend to be in the goat field, and live in a pen in the goathouse, and will stay inside at night for quite a long time...

As pharnorth said - it helps me sleep at night...

 

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