The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Stanlamb on October 03, 2012, 11:54:01 am

Title: Feed recommendations for ewes at tupping time
Post by: Stanlamb on October 03, 2012, 11:54:01 am

Hi

First post with a very basic question.  What sort of feed would be best for ewes pre and during tupping?  Grass is in very short supply so they'd probably be best with something but we've never had to feed at this time of year before now.  What sort of mix does anyone use or recommend?

Thanks

Stan

Title: Re: Feed recommendations for ewes at tupping time
Post by: Fleecewife on October 03, 2012, 11:58:44 am

Hi Stan. 
What breed are your ewes and whereabouts in the country are you, as these will govern their tupping-time feed needs?

Title: Re: Feed recommendations for ewes at tupping time
Post by: Stanlamb on October 03, 2012, 12:31:12 pm

Thanks for replying.  They're a mix of Suffolk, Dorset and mules!  And we're up North.

Thanks.

Title: Re: Feed recommendations for ewes at tupping time
Post by: Fleecewife on October 03, 2012, 02:31:47 pm

Ah then I'm not qualified to answer as I keep primitives, but there will be plenty of other people with the knowledge you need coming along shortly  :sheep: :)

Title: Re: Feed recommendations for ewes at tupping time
Post by: Mallows Flock on October 03, 2012, 07:29:32 pm

Pre tupping, i would say good quality energy lick (here i go on a lick bender again - I should be a sales rep) and good quality hay... enough to fill their bellies and give them good nutrition and energy but without putting on too much condition to over-score them prior to the tup going in (i.e getting too fat to produce eggs), without costing a bomb and without them catching and by being fed heavily risking twin lamb disease!
Hope that helps :o)

Title: Re: Feed recommendations for ewes at tupping time
Post by: shep53 on October 03, 2012, 07:32:47 pm

You could ask 100 sheep keepers and get 100 different answers.  Depends what condition now ? how long until tupping ? may need high protein  for a fast improvement  , how much grass and how good is it ? sheep need to improve or hold  condition ?  high energy licks help on poor grazing .  Have you googled condition scoring sheep so you know were your sheep are now and what to aim for . Sorry no one size fits all :farmer: