The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Rosemary on August 16, 2009, 11:50:49 am
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I'm moving our ewes (and lambs at some point) into a rented field. It hasn't "officially" been grazed by sheep in eight years but some of the sheep in the next field used to come through before we fixed the fence 5 weeks ago. It's a six acre field and there would have been no more than a dozen lambs on it at any one time, probably over the last three months. It should, therefore, be reasonably worm free, yes?
I thought I woudl worm our sheep before I move them over but what's the timing? I know there's something about letting the wormer work for 24 hours. So should I worm the sheep and leave them on their current grazing for 24 hours OR worm and move immediately? Or something completely different?
Pigs are sooooo easy!
Thanks
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bring the sheep into the pens and leave them to stand for a couple of hours to 'empty out'. Then worm to the correct dosage and keep them in-bye for 24 hours before moving.
Having said that lots of people just get on with it and move straight away. so I don't think too many people will be worried about the practicalities
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Dont rely on the grazing being worm free either, a cut of hay or silage helps REDUCE worm burdens on pasture but will never eliminate it.
The worst enemy of your sheep is another sheep - lambs are likely to have contaminated the pasture especially if the worming regime of their owner is to the same standard as his fencing.