Author Topic: Over weight ewes. (Read 2729 times)

moprabbit · « **on:** May 29, 2016, 10:42:04 am »

Just had my 4 pet sheep sheared. I knew they were a bit on the plump side but didn't realise how fat they were! What's the best way to slim them down - they're 6 years old and don't have lambs. Thank you!?

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2016, 11:55:11 am »

Put them on poor grazing with no other feed. It is, however, incredibly difficult to get condition off a ewe that's not lambed and often difficult to get an over-condition ewe in lamb. Twins every year is the best solution for a svelte ovine figure.

Jullienne · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2016, 01:02:30 pm »

agree with [member=27063]Marches Farmer[/member] poor grazing is the best option and yes you should see some of my ewes with twins, they put it all into the bag and sometimes I need to feed them extra, although with all this grass they're looking good. Have they been bred before at all and if so how long since the last time?

moprabbit · « **Reply #3 on:** May 29, 2016, 01:47:22 pm »

Thanks for the replies. They've never had lambs and certainly won't be now! Poor grazing is the problem, the field they're in is really lush and needs to be continually cut to keep it down, but it just hasn't stopped growing. I was hoping they'd lose some condition over the winter but with it being mild the grass just kept on growing and so did they! They don't have any other feed apart from a few odd cabbage leaves. I think I'll just have to fence off a very small area and try that. The only drawback is it'll get covered in droppings, so I'll be out poo picking no doubt!

silkwoodzwartbles · « **Reply #4 on:** May 29, 2016, 04:28:10 pm »

Sounds like you need to grow the flock

Bionic · « **Reply #5 on:** May 29, 2016, 05:08:10 pm »

When I was in New Zealand earlier in the year I noticed that they strip graze their animals (not just sheep) until the earth is just about bare.

They are on quite small patches before they move on.

shep53 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2016, 06:02:26 pm »

Called Rotational Grazing , very heavily stocked area for 1 to 7 days then move on to the next

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2016, 10:45:46 pm »

Quote from: moprabbit on May 29, 2016, 01:47:22 pm

They don't have any other feed apart from a few odd cabbage leaves.

Don't underestimate the nutritional value of cabbage leaves. Hereabouts, the tup breeders used to fitten their tups for sale on cabbages - no cake, just cabbages.

moprabbit · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2016, 10:22:10 am »

Thanks for that Sally. I didn't realise that. Have you any ideas of what I could give them as a treat but won't make the situation worse? Thanks.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2016, 08:54:03 pm »

Tricky! What about grass pellets? Just a few by hand. Or maybe celery? I've no idea if celery is okay for them - but it's something I use in my own dieting! Lol

moprabbit · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2016, 10:38:34 pm »

Thanks Sally! Don't know if they like celery but I'll certainly give it a go! I'll also look at the nutritional value of grass pellets - they would be handy just to have a few in a pocket for special treats!