The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Imafluffybunny on April 17, 2015, 12:01:56 am

Title: Sheep not interested in hard feed
Post by: Imafluffybunny on April 17, 2015, 12:01:56 am
My ewes with new lambs are not interested in their feed, they are in a field that the grass is coming through, not bare but certainly not long!
The lambs are between 2 weeks to 4 days, I am presuming the grass is enough as they are not eating the feed. They have a Rockies mineral lick in the field too.
Sheep newbie so don't know whether i should be concerned as I know they need the extra calories etc whilst feeding.
Title: Re: Sheep not interested in hard feed
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 17, 2015, 12:05:21 am
The lambs are too young for feed.

Are the ewes new to you?  Have they had hard food before?  Have they had this hard food before?
Title: Re: Sheep not interested in hard feed
Post by: Imafluffybunny on April 17, 2015, 08:55:28 am
Oh yes I am aware the lambs won't be eating the feed  :)

No the ewes are not new to us, they were fed a few weeks before lambing, since being back out after lambing they are becoming more and more disinterested in the feed.
My concern is they are feeding very young lambs to be just eating grass.
Title: Re: Sheep not interested in hard feed
Post by: devonlady on April 17, 2015, 09:59:32 am
My ewes are becoming disinterested in their ewe nuts, rolled barley etc. They come running when they see the bucket but, if no digestive biscuits are forthcoming,prefer all that lovely sweet grass that is coming up :yum: :yum: If the lambs are well and growing and happy then don't worry.
Title: Re: Sheep not interested in hard feed
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on April 17, 2015, 08:05:28 pm
Have you tried sugar beet pellets? my sheep absolutely love em and they help milk yield in cows too, but they contain a lot of energy.
Title: Re: Sheep not interested in hard feed
Post by: Hellybee on April 18, 2015, 06:02:06 am
They sound as if they are happy with Dr green :)
Title: Re: Sheep not interested in hard feed
Post by: Sbom on April 18, 2015, 09:41:51 am
We don't feed either before or after lambing  :) sheep are designed to eat and survive on grass and do so very well if left to it!
If they don't want nuts they must be getting enough from grass alone, I'm sure they aren't deliberately not eating it to panic you !
Title: Re: Sheep not interested in hard feed
Post by: Rosemary on April 18, 2015, 01:58:46 pm
Ours left some feed in the troughs this morning so the grass must be coming. I can't see it but it must be there  ;D
Title: Re: Sheep not interested in hard feed
Post by: Je on May 31, 2015, 08:49:05 pm
I wonder if you may be selling on some ewe lambs?
Title: Re: Sheep not interested in hard feed
Post by: Backinwellies on June 01, 2015, 12:22:42 pm
Don't worry they will eat what they need ..... don't really need extra when There is enough grass (and this doesn't have to be enough for us to See!)