The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Hillview Farm on July 06, 2014, 09:05:22 am
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I recently got some old shetlands ( don't worry I didn't pay for them) the lady classed them as semi retired. Now they have lambs at foot which isn't helping, they are only about 6 weeks so too early to wean really.
I'm not planning on breeding from them again, they are going to do some conservation grazing.
There is one ewe who I can't put out conservation grazing as she is just too thin for the public eye! She has a single at foot, bags of milk and on the colder mornings I find her shivering. She's on some feed and there is shelter under trees but sadly sheared! Is there anything else I can do? I want to knit her a jumper!!
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On the Shetland Isles you will sometimes see a ewe with an old jumper on, front legs in the sleeves, fair isle patterns down her back ;D You could do that and cover with a giant polythene bag if rain is due.
Sounds as if she needs more food to help produce all that milk. Have you checked her teeth? If she's not able to eat normally then her condition will drop. Watch out for calcium deficiency.
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We had an old ewe once that became a pet and bought her a cheap, waterproof dog coat on eBay (large size). Worked a treat! I'd be inclined to offer creep to the lambs to take the burden off the ewes.
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Dog coat sounds a good idea :thumbsup:
I forgot to ask - how old is old ie what age is she?
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May have to get her a coat!
she is 9 years old, has no lower front teeth but is eating well. They are all on 1/2kg each per day.
I've managed to find her and a friend a home with a friend of mine where they will be stabled at night and get a lot of TLC once they are weaned. The lambs are eating a good amount of cake too!
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if lambs are heating plenty of creep then i would be tempted to start trying to offer them grass and water and then in a fortnight or so really buckle down and wean them properly as by the sounds of it the lamb is putting a massive burden on the ewe and the poor old ewe is suffering from it
Cheers Ed
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If she's no front teeth she maybe can't graze very effectively, so perhaps she would appreciate some hay or straw to munch on.
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If she's no front teeth she maybe can't graze very effectively, so perhaps she would appreciate some hay or straw to munch on.
She would appreciate that :yum: In fact though, once all the front teeth have gone, sheep can graze remarkably easily - if they bite you it's like being savaged by a gummy tortoise :roflanim:. I have several ancients, up to 18 yo, and they happily munch away, as long as they have their molars, and no abscesses or the like. The most difficult time is when they are in the process of losing front teeth, so have some gaps and some wobblies. If possible it's best to pull out the wobblies when they're teetering (which doesn't seem to hurt) to give some firm teeth they can pull the grass with.
By the by - 9 yo isn't really old for Shetlands - they will happily produce a few more crops.
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Young ed- They are out in the field so they are eating grass. the ewe came skinny and hasn't lost any more condition.
sally- Once we FINALLY get our hay cut I'm more than happy to offer some hay!
Fleecewife- she is just like a gummy tortoise! They seem very happy even without front teeth and they are defo grazing well! I believe with some food and time (will wean the lambs early but not yet as they are just too small atm) I think they will go on to produce a few more crops. :) otherwise very healthy girls :)
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Can you still get false teeth for sheep?