The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: JFW67 on March 27, 2022, 09:19:57 pm

Title: Safe drinking trough for ewes with lambs
Post by: JFW67 on March 27, 2022, 09:19:57 pm

Hi All,

I am totally new to lambing.

My welsh black mountain sheep have started lambing.  (All going very well and stress free so far)

Stupidly, I did not consider watering arrangements for the field I am keeping the new lambs and mothers in initially.
I have an old bathtub I am intending to move into the field to use - Simply sitting on the ground, levelled and stabilised.

Is this a safe option - I don't want to find a few drowned lambs in it!

Useful comments gratefully accepted.

John

Title: Re: Safe drinking trough for ewes with lambs
Post by: twizzel on March 27, 2022, 09:29:36 pm

I’m not sure ewes would manage to drink out of a bath, would it be too tall? I have a trough similar to below, it’s great for sheep.


https://www.moleonline.com/jfc-dt30sf-easy-access-water-trough-30-gallon (https://www.moleonline.com/jfc-dt30sf-easy-access-water-trough-30-gallon)

Title: Re: Safe drinking trough for ewes with lambs
Post by: Richmond on March 28, 2022, 08:48:30 am

Depends how many sheep you have. We only have 11 and they just drink from buckets. They never seem to knock anything over  - when they have a run around they tend to just leap over them - and it's quick and easy to scrub and refill a couple of buckets.
Like Twizzel I think a normal bathtub would be too high for most sheep and it would be an onerous task keeping it clean.

Title: Re: Safe drinking trough for ewes with lambs
Post by: JFW67 on March 28, 2022, 04:21:57 pm

Thanks for the replies.  I think i'll stay with the bucket option in the short term.

Thanks again

John