The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: waterbuffalofarmer on February 01, 2016, 02:17:41 pm
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I was reading an article about how chicory finishes lambs faster than if they're on grass and flavours the meat nicely too. I am going to try growing a field of it next year for the ram lambs before they go to slaughter, an experiment if you like, the question is where can I buy it from? Could someone point me to a supplier or three?
Thanks
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I bought a grass mix for reseeding my land which contains chicory. I didn't know about the fattening lambs bit but the reason I went for it was because I'd read that it can be a natural wormer? Not sure how true this is but as it was one plant in a mixed herbal ley I thought it wouldn't hurt to try.
My supplier is on mainland Orkney so probably no good for you although they do supply shetland/orkney and highlands. Family run business, the guy is very knowledgeable.
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https://www.cotswoldseeds.com/content/chicory (https://www.cotswoldseeds.com/content/chicory)
available as a straight or as part of a mixed ley.
(also https://www.cotswoldseeds.com/seed-info/chicory-finishing-lambs-effect-carcass-and-meat-quality (https://www.cotswoldseeds.com/seed-info/chicory-finishing-lambs-effect-carcass-and-meat-quality))
I think you have to graze it periodically, not constantly.
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Any of your local seed suppliers will either stock or can get hold of good chicory seed.
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Thanks for that guys I will certainly look into it. I was thinking of trying the herbal ley with it in just for one year as an experiment to see how they do.