The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: dixie on April 27, 2011, 02:22:44 pm

Title: Sheep grazing where pigs have been
Post by: dixie on April 27, 2011, 02:22:44 pm

Hi I ma struggling for grazing thanks to this dry spell! I have a small paddock which had 2 adult pigs in last summer, will it be safe for the sheep? I am concerned that the copper in pig feed/manure could be in the ground? anyone know anymore info? thanks :sheep:

Title: Re: Sheep grazing where pigs have been
Post by: dixie on April 27, 2011, 02:46:41 pm

Thank you, I thought maybe if I put them in there for a week or 2 to give them some fresh grass, in the meantime I am waiting for rain so I can fertilise the rest of it, if it will ever rain again!!

Title: Re: Sheep grazing where pigs have been
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 27, 2011, 03:14:30 pm

Some sheep are more susceptible to copper than others, texels are particularly susceptible, which makes them popular in these parts where we are desperately deficient in it.

I don't know about sheep following pigs but generally isn't it a good idea to rotate, as each species then nullifies the worms and so on of the previous?

Title: Re: Sheep grazing where pigs have been
Post by: ellisr on April 27, 2011, 03:32:05 pm

If the grass has grown back after the pigs then most of the manure etc will have worked into the land also. It must have been a good number of months since the pigs were there for the grass to have grown back enough to graze sheep on it

Title: Re: Sheep grazing where pigs have been
Post by: poppajohn on April 27, 2011, 03:56:52 pm

Should be fine, just worm in case. Coppers necessary anyway as are so many other things!