The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: fgaskell on August 05, 2021, 08:00:48 am

Title: What type of licks do sheep need?
Post by: fgaskell on August 05, 2021, 08:00:48 am
 Hi all,
I dont  suppose anyone could tell me what lick are a must have for sheep?
just so they cover all of the  needs!
thanks.
Title: Re: What type of licks to sheep need?
Post by: Rosemary on August 05, 2021, 09:08:50 am
Ha, you'll get a hundred answers.

Mine have a Himalayan salt lick and a mineral block all year; in the six weeks before and the four weeks or so after lambing, they have a high energy feed block (Harbro Vitality). If the weather is bad in winter, I might give them a Harbro Forage Booster.
Title: Re: What type of licks to sheep need?
Post by: Fleecewife on August 05, 2021, 12:05:24 pm
Commercials?  Primitives?  North Ronaldsays? Breeding stock?  Family pets?
What sort of ground are you on?  Whereabouts do you live?  What known deficiencies are there in your soil? 
What are your sheep eating currently? Grass only? Grass and hay and sheep nuts?


Supplements for animals should be tailored to their specific needs not given just-in-case.
Title: Re: What type of licks to sheep need?
Post by: mab on August 05, 2021, 12:50:29 pm
Yellow rockies - the ones that don't have copper I think.
Title: Re: What type of licks to sheep need?
Post by: Anke on August 05, 2021, 03:29:15 pm
Mine (Shetlands) don't get any mineral licks, but I give them a drench a couple of times per year (just before lambing and at weaning/before tupping). One with copper once and one without the other time.


Crystalix High Energy one during harsh winters (all sheep), and in the last 6 weeks before lambing (ewes only) - but this is mainly for energy (they are made mostly of sugar/molasses) to prevent pregnancy toxeamia.
Title: Re: What type of licks to sheep need?
Post by: Buttermilk on August 05, 2021, 06:43:06 pm
Mine have access to a salt block and I give a mineral bolus every 6 months.
Title: Re: What type of licks to sheep need?
Post by: fgaskell on August 23, 2021, 04:58:31 pm
Quote from: Buttermilk on August 05, 2021, 06:43:06 pm
Mine have access to a salt block and I give a mineral bolus every 6 months.
Where do you get your mineral bolus from??
Thanks
Title: Re: What type of licks do sheep need?
Post by: twizzel on August 23, 2021, 05:22:29 pm
Country supplies store, but you need someone to show how to bolus a sheep (your vet or a farmer) otherwise you can cause serious injury.


For what it’s worth I use Mole Valley feet and fertility lick buckets all year round, Downland Optilix energy at tupping (same as crystalyx) and Lifeline pre lambing.