Author Topic: Small flock problems (Read 4673 times)

shotblastuk · « **Reply #15 on:** May 02, 2016, 11:27:37 am »

If you can run a few lines of electric fencing low to the ground around your enclosure this can help in deterring Badgers. We have a badger sett above our sheep fields. They're on the move soon, they don't know it yet but they're going to be evicted.

Foxes, we have loads of rabbits this year so it reduces the risk of taking lambs to a degree. 'Eliminate' them to reduce numbers unless you're near to one of those urban fox release plan things then eliminate them as well.

Joeysmallholder · « **Reply #16 on:** May 02, 2016, 01:33:07 pm »

You need 2 alpacas, they will guard your livestock.

Liz Kershaw · « **Reply #17 on:** May 03, 2016, 04:07:28 pm »

They went out last night into a fenced paddock (although badgers can of course dig...) and was ok with the whole thing until the farm next door told me they lost all the poultry in their orchard to an unknown predator while everyone was having lunch! Another sleepless night ...

SophieYorkshire · « **Reply #18 on:** May 03, 2016, 04:15:02 pm »

Don't risk it. I've lost 3 week old lambs to the fox this week. B*stard.

Coximus · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2016, 08:29:01 am »

Badgers will happily take lambs up until about 7-10kg. Seen it, seen the mess. Depends how hungry they are but they dont kill cleanly.
Vicious things.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #20 on:** May 04, 2016, 09:45:42 am »

And badgers will quickly dispose of any weak lambs, up to any size really.

Liz Kershaw · « **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2016, 11:38:09 pm »

Mine are staying in the fenced paddock for now. Ewe 2 is due in a few days so she's in with them too. I haven't got a way to weigh mine ... How much is a 10 day old twin ram Ryeland likely to weigh?