The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: bloomer on May 05, 2015, 04:00:40 pm

Title: shetlands licking the dry stone wall
Post by: bloomer on May 05, 2015, 04:00:40 pm

whilst sat in the field with the sheep today in the pouring rain trying to decide if one of the ladies was going to lamb or not i got to noticing the sheep all seemed to be licking the dry stone wall, this is an old wall covered in Lichens, were they feeding on these?


They are in a field with plenty of grazing so this behaviour has me confused... does anyone have any experience of similar?

Title: Re: shetlands licking the dry stone wall
Post by: Foobar on May 05, 2015, 04:03:42 pm

Salt/minerals in the wall.  Give them a salt lick (I use red himalayan rock salt).

Title: Re: shetlands licking the dry stone wall
Post by: Yeoman on May 05, 2015, 04:11:30 pm

Mine occasionally lick an old red brick railway bridge.


Gotta love 'em!

Title: Re: shetlands licking the dry stone wall
Post by: princesslayer on May 06, 2015, 08:45:11 am

Mine like a giant charred stump which didn't burn out in a fire. Just an occasional passing lick...yummy.