The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: waterhouse on December 16, 2010, 05:51:52 pm

Title: Lambing schedule
Post by: waterhouse on December 16, 2010, 05:51:52 pm

We bought four Dartmoor ewes in lamb recently and had them scanned today.  The results were

50 days gone, twins
80 days, twins
95 days, twins
too big to tell, but due in a couple of weeks

This is not a very helpful scheduling.  One we need to feed up while the others aren't due for up to 3 months

Any ideas on how to schedule, and how to manage individuals lambing.

Title: Re: Lambing schedule
Post by: bamford6 on December 16, 2010, 06:59:40 pm

i have this problem i try and keep the ewes as nere to the house as i can then the first sighns take them in the barn hard iff you havent the room .i had 180 lambs out off 200.this yere . iv just sold most off them  Dartmoor sheep are lovaley breed iv invested in   Embryos 

     http://www.dorpersheepsociety.co.uk/classifieds.html                   part off the Churchill Flock

Title: Re: Lambing schedule
Post by: waterhouse on December 16, 2010, 07:35:54 pm

With only four and such big gaps between the dates I can't bring them all in for 3 months but I also can't bring them in one at a time.

We were told that Dartmoors rarely produced twins, so lightening really has struck in the same place. Also sounds like the ram was taking his time.

Title: Re: Lambing schedule
Post by: robert waddell on December 16, 2010, 07:37:43 pm

pointer sisters springs to mind (need a lover with a slow hand)

Title: Re: Lambing schedule
Post by: Anke on December 17, 2010, 08:02:07 pm

Even with them so far apart, i would bring them all in, and feed the one quite close separate (move her into a pen with hurdles for feeding) from the rest. Given that there is probably no grass where you are either, they are just on hay and some concentrate anyway. The one quite close also needs a booster heptavac injection.

I know it is not ideal, but with a December/January lambing you are looking at keeping them in anyway. If you can build a small fenced off area (even just with hurdles) for them to go out for exercise that would be helpful.

Title: Re: Lambing schedule
Post by: woollyval on December 17, 2010, 09:08:09 pm

Greyface Dartmoors are designed to live and aurvive in one of the most inhospitable climates...Dartmoor!
Thet do have twins...I had a load of them about 12 years back and nearly all had twins! They are prone to getting fat and I would feed ad lib good hay to all and a mug of nuts (and sugarbeet while the weather is so bad) each and not worry about bringing them in until the earliest due to lamb is a week or so away and then bring them in at night if you have the facilities. Once the early lamber has lambed you can shove the others out and after a few days give them all the choice of in or out by leaving the gate/door open. Dartmoor lambs are hardy too and they will all be ok given good feeding and shelter.

Title: Re: Lambing schedule
Post by: waterhouse on December 17, 2010, 11:29:14 pm

Thank you all: this is very helpful.  I'm thinking of bringing the two closest in (we have a lambing shed but no proper barn) and leave the others with our wethers.  Not having a due date for number one other than "soon" makes it tricky!

Title: Re: Lambing schedule
Post by: shetlandpaul on December 19, 2010, 09:22:24 pm

at least your south. i would take her in but don't overfeed you don't want fat lambs. good luck

Title: Re: Lambing schedule
Post by: Freddiesfarm on December 22, 2010, 09:01:08 am

or prolapses from over feeding.....