1

Sheep / 9 ewes to shear Northamptonshire

« Last post by Farmernick on Today at 11:51:51 am »

Hi,

Is anyone available to shear my wife’s small flock in the next few weeks? Total of 9 ewes, based just outside Kettering.

Cheers,
Nick

2

Crofting / Re: DIY haylage

« Last post by JFW67 on Today at 08:41:13 am »

Thanks you Vetch.
I’d seen a couple of these but it’s the difference between silage and haylage that is my stumbling block.  I’m not clear enough on the process difference between the two.
Thanks again.

3

Sheep / Re: Keeping a ewe that had mastitis separate - how long?

« Last post by JFW67 on Today at 08:38:47 am »

Thanks for the reply Sally and Twizzel.

Her udder still feels a bit odd but no sign of any discharge for weeks.

Twizzel - Why sill she be a potential risk in the future?  Is this because she will be more prone to mastitis or residual bacteria from the bought?

Thanks again.

4

Crofting / Re: DIY haylage

« Last post by vetch on Today at 08:33:39 am »

First a caveat - I have not done this, but did do research into small scale silage making and there are several good PDFs online - though these are aimed at silage making in less economically developed countries. I used the term "small scale silage pdf". Black bags and using a vacuum to remove air should be sufficient for ensiling.

5

Sheep / Re: Keeping a ewe that had mastitis separate - how long?

« Last post by twizzel on Today at 06:51:34 am »

I agree with sally, as long as it’s not oozing any infectious liquid. But dont breed her again, she will be an infection risk to the other ewes and likely get mastitis again.

6

Sheep / Re: Dilemma

« Last post by SallyintNorth on Today at 12:49:36 am »

Update: She lambed twins yesterday afternoon in the sunshine

 

7

Sheep / Re: Keeping a ewe that had mastitis separate - how long?

« Last post by SallyintNorth on Today at 12:48:53 am »

If she's had antibiotics and the udder is now uninfected, I'd say she can go back with the others. 

8

Crofting / DIY haylage

« Last post by JFW67 on May 21, 2024, 09:29:17 am »

Hi all,

Anyone tried successfully to do haylage by hand in small amounts?

We have a 2 acre field planted as a woodland (four years ago) with a 3m grass margin around it.  At times I have my (small flock) of sheep graze it with an electric fence protecting the young trees.

The grass margin is good and I feel, if possible, it would be worth cutting and baling up for haylage for the sheep to have in late winter.

Given it would be a fairly un mechanised process I would aim to do it in small amounts either using a scythe or pull behind mower with my quad.  Scythe seems wiser since I can better. O troll the amount cut at any one time.

Questions:
How long should the grass be?
Is it better cut in long lengths or chopped up?
How long should it lie before packing into bags?
I have heavy grade black bin bags to put it in -  I have read both it needs very firm compression to remove air and that a vacuum will suck out enough air to work.  Any comments?

Any input appreciated

9

Techniques and skills / DIY haylage

« Last post by JFW67 on May 21, 2024, 09:27:33 am »

Hi all,

Anyone tried successfully to do haylage by hand in small amounts?

We have a 2 acre field planted as a woodland (four years ago) with a 3m grass margin around it.  At times I have my (small flock) of sheep graze it with an electric fence protecting the young trees.

The grass margin is good and I feel, if possible, it would be worth cutting and baling up for haylage for the sheep to have in late winter.

Given it would be a fairly un mechanised process I would aim to do it in small amounts either using a scythe or pull behind mower with my quad.  Scythe seems wiser since I can better. O troll the amount cut at any one time.

Questions:
How long should the grass be?
Is it better cut in long lengths or chopped up?
How long should it lie before packing into bags?
I have heavy grade black bin bags to put it in -  I have read both it needs very firm compression to remove air and that a vacuum will suck out enough air to work.  Any comments?

Thanks for any input.

10

Sheep / Keeping a ewe that had mastitis separate - how long?

« Last post by JFW67 on May 21, 2024, 08:49:25 am »

One of my ewes had mastitis which was treated.  She has been kept separate from the other lambs and mothers because I was told potentially bacteria could spread from her to others via lambs stealing from other ewes.

She has been separate, with her lamb and two other yearlings, for about 7 weeks now.  This is possible to maintain but makes juggling pasture space very problematic, effectively putting one field out of action.

Any suggestions/advice on returning them to the flock?