The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Rosemary on July 30, 2009, 10:16:03 am

Title: Weaning lambs
Post by: Rosemary on July 30, 2009, 10:16:03 am

Is it better to take the ewes away and leave the lambs or vice versa?

Title: Re: Weaning lambs
Post by: HappyHippy on July 30, 2009, 01:40:24 pm

Take the ewes away, leave the lambs where they are.
Found this site too
http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/ansc442/Semprojs/2003/weaning/sheeppage.htm (http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/ansc442/Semprojs/2003/weaning/sheeppage.htm)
Buy ear plugs so you don't feel too sorry for them  ;)
Good luck,
Karen

Title: Re: Weaning lambs
Post by: Rosemary on July 30, 2009, 09:20:58 pm

I'll do the ear tagging and the BTV and get Dickie castrated before weaning. The ewes are hardly suffering by the look of them!

Title: Re: Weaning lambs
Post by: tirdu on August 01, 2009, 08:25:07 pm

Always remove the ewes and leave the lambs in familiar surroundings is easiest  ;D :D

Title: Re: Weaning lambs
Post by: shrekfeet on August 04, 2009, 10:08:56 pm

Bugger, just read the link and realise that my lambs are still with their ewes and some are still feeding. They are obviously grazing well and the ewes are in great condition - But the lambs are around 5 months old! How much does this matter and how will it affect things?

Title: Re: Weaning lambs
Post by: hexhammeasure on August 04, 2009, 11:35:11 pm

If the lambs are over 88lbs (44) kilo's and fat enough ( condition scored) you can take them off their mothers to go to slaughter anytime now. remember that you will need the lambs off the ewes for at least 1 month preferably two months prior to tupping to encourage coming into season

Title: Re: Weaning lambs
Post by: Rosemary on August 16, 2009, 11:52:56 am

Two boys weaned; ewe lamb shortly. Ewes bleating; lambs don't care. They like having access to the trough without Mums!

Ewes don't go to the tup until 5th November, so plenty time.

Thanks for all the help.