The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Bionic on July 25, 2013, 10:40:32 am
-
I have 4 lambs of which 2 are rams born 19/3/13 and 16/4/13, so the youngest one is just over 14 weeks old.
The older ram (Taffy) is rarely with his mum these days but the younger (Tomos) spends quite a lot of time sitting with his mum and does have the occasional feed from her. They are both eating creep and grass well.
Am I ok to wean them both together at the end of this month?
I plan to leave the two ewe lambs to wean naturally so won't be removing them.
-
I'm glad you asked that question...I have the same sort of situation...
-
Yes but, taking just two lambs away ... will they be on their own? Having only two young ones together they may fret more. I would be tempted to wean all the lambs in one go, so that they feel like they are still in a flock, so to speak. You can put the ewe lambs back with their mums after a couple of weeks.
An alternative would be if you have a next door field that they could go in where they can still see their mums through the fence, then they will be reassured by their presence.
-
At 14 weeks if they are eating creep and grass I would certainly wean them.
Put them as far away as possible from the ewes and they will soon settle.
-
Generally I'd advise 4 months old for weaning, but if they're eating creep well they should be ok.
If you had a dry ewe you could keep with them that would help settle them, but they will settle quickly on their own as they have each other for company. And it's not a fretful breed ;) and is a greedy one ;)