The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Helen Wiltshire Horn on April 13, 2015, 08:09:52 am

Title: Horned lambs getting stuck in the fence
Post by: Helen Wiltshire Horn on April 13, 2015, 08:09:52 am

I hope that someone can offer some advice.  Last year for about a month my WH lambs got stuck in the stock fencing.  They pushed their heads through presumably to nibble some grass in the adjoining field and couldn't release themselves because of the angle of their horns.  It was extremely frustrating and I had one particuarly stupid lamb who used to get stuck 3 or 4 times every day and it isn't easy to release them by yourself.   Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to stop this happening?  I was thinking of putting up 3 strands of electric around the field for the month or so that it seems to be a problem.  Any other ideas?  You would have thought they would learn but they don't seem to! 
Helen

Title: Re: Horned lambs getting stuck in the fence
Post by: Marches Farmer on April 13, 2015, 10:19:05 am

Our Badger Face lambs do this quite often, irrespective of whether or not the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence.  I just check them three times a day and haul them out until their heads become too large to get through.

Title: Re: Horned lambs getting stuck in the fence
Post by: devonlad on April 13, 2015, 11:19:44 am

Same here. Our wilts lambs do it too.  We do the same as MF. Electric strand sounds like a poss plan but I wouldn't guarantee it will work

Title: Re: Horned lambs getting stuck in the fence
Post by: Tregwyr on April 14, 2015, 12:09:30 am

Not a good idea to use electric fencing with horned sheep, I don't think it is permitted under the DEFRA welfare code. If they do get stuck they will get shocked continually and that could have really bad consequences.

You could supplement the stock fence with green barrier plastic netting like the stuff builders use it's quite cheap and can be fastened to the stock fence with cable ties.

http://www.orbitalfasteners.co.uk/en/products/1m-x-50m-green-temporary-plastic-barrier-fencing-mesh (http://www.orbitalfasteners.co.uk/en/products/1m-x-50m-green-temporary-plastic-barrier-fencing-mesh)

Title: Re: Horned lambs getting stuck in the fence
Post by: Herdygirl on April 14, 2015, 07:34:42 am

We use windbreak mesh, there is nothing for lambs to stick their heads through,its quick to put up you just tack it onto the fence post and there is the added bonus that it is pretty cheap.

Title: Re: Horned lambs getting stuck in the fence
Post by: Helen Wiltshire Horn on April 14, 2015, 10:12:25 am

Thanks for your replies.  I will investigate the temporary plastic fencing and cable tie option. 
Helen