The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: waterhouse on November 23, 2010, 07:42:14 pm

Title: Bit the bullet and bought 4 ewes in lamb
Post by: waterhouse on November 23, 2010, 07:42:14 pm: which means we can freeze the boys we bought earlier this year. Apparently they were running with the ram from mid August which makes them due in January. Steep learning curve to be climbed by us as they teach us what they're doing!

Is it worth having them scanned?
Title: Re: Bit the bullet and bought 4 ewes in lamb
Post by: Rosemary on November 23, 2010, 08:54:22 pm: I would say yes. It will cost you more than it would someone with a big flock, but I like to know if they are in lamb or not and if they are, whether it's a single or multiple birth we're expecting. The scanner that did ours said she could tell singles from multiples reliably but it was hard to reliably tell twins from triplets, as the third foetus is often hidden. If they aren't in lamb they won't need any additional feeding in springtime.

You should get it done soon as additional feed will be needed from six weeks prior to lambing if there are multiple births.
Title: Re: Bit the bullet and bought 4 ewes in lamb
Post by: daddymatty82 on November 25, 2010, 09:59:48 am: a week/2 weeks to get them scanned for 6 weeks of feed. if its just a hobby ten me personally i would not scan them if its for business and and a couple of hundred breeding stock then yes scan them but alot of people can spot a pregnant ewe and if they been in with a tup for that long there is a high chance of being in lamb (if they played ball) so depending on there history,age, ten only scan if there is any worry them not being in lamb imo.
Title: Re: Bit the bullet and bought 4 ewes in lamb
Post by: Rosemary on November 25, 2010, 10:05:53 am: Cost me £20 for three last year. Worth every penny IMHO
Title: Re: Bit the bullet and bought 4 ewes in lamb
Post by: waterhouse on November 25, 2010, 06:19:55 pm: I think we will get them scanned so that we have an idea what's coming and when it is likely to hit!
Title: Re: Bit the bullet and bought 4 ewes in lamb
Post by: Rosemary on November 25, 2010, 07:37:34 pm: Our vet's doing ours when he comes to dehorn the calves :)
Title: Re: Bit the bullet and bought 4 ewes in lamb
Post by: andywalt on November 25, 2010, 10:06:18 pm: Dont forget the ewes come into season only when the nights get cold, I brought a small flock that had a ram with them before i got them, i know we are in kent but the nights didnt get cold until the 1st week in september so we are not expecting any lambs until the 25th ish of January...famous last words.....
Title: Re: Bit the bullet and bought 4 ewes in lamb
Post by: OhLaLa on November 26, 2010, 11:19:59 am: Aw - just had to say how cute they are! Remind me of the sheepdog in the Wil-e Coyote cartoons.......

:D
Title: Re: Bit the bullet and bought 4 ewes in lamb
Post by: waterhouse on November 26, 2010, 07:01:22 pm: Quote from: OhLaLa on November 26, 2010, 11:19:59 am
Aw - just had to say how cute they are! Remind me of the sheepdog in the Wil-e Coyote cartoons.......

:D
Or Dougal from the Magic Roundabout. I thought they'd have legs....