The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: raygezer on December 19, 2011, 08:02:19 pm

Title: wet weather
Post by: raygezer on December 19, 2011, 08:02:19 pm
Hi all its another question due to this real wet weather we are having ,would it be ok for me to house my sheep in an open three sided barn until they have lambed in march and the weather improves as the paddocks are getting water logged quite badly all advice welcome Many thanx
Title: Re: wet weather
Post by: jaykay on December 19, 2011, 11:22:38 pm
They should be ok as long as they have enough space. The critical thing for sheep is air movement, plus some exercise.
Yeh, my fields are getting pretty trashed  :-\
Title: Re: wet weather
Post by: SallyintNorth on December 19, 2011, 11:48:01 pm
Plenty of clean straw bedding too - if the bedding gets thin and they are kept in for a while, then you will start to see foot problems.  You can't tip heavily pregnant sheep up, so it's best to avoid the problem occurring.
Title: Re: wet weather
Post by: humphreymctush on December 20, 2011, 12:44:38 pm
Lots of people inwinter their sheep. There are lots of advantages. You may want to set up a feed barrier so that the sheep can stick their heads through to eat their hay but cant trample it. A normal steel gate turned upside down works quite well.
Title: Re: wet weather
Post by: raygezer on December 20, 2011, 07:55:49 pm
Thanx for the replies  ill give it a few more weeks then they can come into the barn ,once again many thanx and a Merry Christmas to all
Title: Re: wet weather
Post by: princesspiggy on December 20, 2011, 08:44:11 pm
is a 14ft x 14ft big enough for 5 small ewes to stay in? or do they need more space?
Title: Re: wet weather
Post by: SallyintNorth on December 21, 2011, 09:36:04 am
is a 14ft x 14ft big enough for 5 small ewes to stay in? or do they need more space?
They'll be fine.  Just make sure that what's under their feet is fresh and dry. x
Title: Re: wet weather
Post by: princesspiggy on December 21, 2011, 03:41:58 pm
thanx sally.
im thinking they may lamb early as the ram escaped and got in with them. i think i will bring them in soon.
 :wave: