The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: plumseverywhere on February 18, 2012, 03:28:10 pm

Title: Clean grass for lambs
Post by: plumseverywhere on February 18, 2012, 03:28:10 pm

Orphans aren' t here yet but just planning ahead.   we have a small 'nursery paddock' about 1/8th of an acre with a shed inside of it. This was where last years lambs were bottle fed until chunky enough to turn out.

Its not had any real sheep on it for most of 6 months, i had to overnight 2 ewes there and I had a little ramb in there a few months back but that's it. so I'm thinking of worms  :-\

they'll be tiny when they arrive and i wondered what's the go with worming to protect them?

also, I'll be turning them out into the large field which has only my 2 ewes on it but that will be in a few months from now.

any tips gratefully received!!

Title: Re: Clean grass for lambs
Post by: shep53 on February 18, 2012, 07:32:58 pm

Lambs are not ruminants until 7-8 wks of age ,so while they will nibble grass they are not eating lots so even on  dirty grazing 10-12 wks of age is the common first worming,if you do faecal egg counts from say 10wks you may not have to worm :farmer:

Title: Re: Clean grass for lambs
Post by: plumseverywhere on February 18, 2012, 07:35:55 pm

ah Shep53 - thanks so much. been really worried! thought I'd worked everything out and then suddenly panicked about worms!

Title: Re: Clean grass for lambs
Post by: princesspiggy on February 18, 2012, 08:58:22 pm

just be careful of foxes if they dont have a ewe to protect them xx