The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Marches Farmer on January 27, 2013, 09:52:43 am

Title: I must be going soft ....
Post by: Marches Farmer on January 27, 2013, 09:52:43 am

My ewes are 8 weeks off lambing but I looked at the fields yesterday afternoon, which are as wet as fields can be without being flooded, not helped by 30cm of snow melting in less than 24 hours, then looked at the weather forecast, which was for very high winds and 9 hours' heavy rain overnight, and I listened to the little voice in the back of my mind that said, "Bring 'em in the shed." 

Now off to justify my softness by putting them through the race while they're dry so I can check their feet and condition score them .....

Title: Re: I must be going soft ....
Post by: YorkshireLass on January 27, 2013, 11:24:21 am

Well, you don't want to poach up your fields do you?  :innocent:

Title: Re: I must be going soft ....
Post by: Pedwardine on January 27, 2013, 03:02:27 pm

Absolutely. I listen to the little voice quite regularly.

Title: Re: I must be going soft ....
Post by: Bramblecot on January 27, 2013, 03:14:09 pm

Marches- it's not just you! ;D   
I cracked yesterday and brought 12 ewes home from their swamp.  I hosed the mud off their legs and some are quite sore - just too much time in mud and cold? ???   
But last night they were curled up in the stable, laying down on straw with their eyes closed, blissfully calm.  8 weeks until lambing so they will get TLC from now on...this lot are mainly first-timers. :fc:

Title: Re: I must be going soft ....
Post by: VSS on January 27, 2013, 03:54:15 pm

Not bring soft. If you are feeding them anyway, and they are wading around up to their bellies in mud, they are as well off in as out. Lots of people locally have brought their ewes in well ahead of lambing.

Title: Re: I must be going soft ....
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on January 27, 2013, 05:41:47 pm

Mine are all out in the snow but they are Shetland and it isn't too muddy and they have a massive round bale of our hay which they looooove and a big water bucket and mineral lick - if they didn't have that and I was in your position I would bring in sheep too!!!

Title: Re: I must be going soft ....
Post by: Blinkers on January 27, 2013, 06:51:30 pm

Bringing our gang in on Tuesday/Wednesday.    I love it when they're all in and tucked up in the straw happily cudding away.  Bliss.

Title: Re: I must be going soft ....
Post by: goosepimple on January 27, 2013, 07:53:16 pm

Good for ewe.  If you didn't do it, it would still be niggling you when you go to bed  :D

Title: Re: I must be going soft ....
Post by: Mammyshaz on January 27, 2013, 09:44:02 pm

Your not being soft at all. Sometimes that little voice in the head is just niggling us about something we aren't too comfortable with. Once we follow the advice we feel much more settled.