The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Jon Feather on March 06, 2016, 06:48:30 am

Title: Feed crops for sheep???
Post by: Jon Feather on March 06, 2016, 06:48:30 am
Now we have the shetlands we are thinking of growing some feed crops to feed them through next winter.  Things like turnips, swedes.

Is this a good idea and what other veg crop do you suggest??
Title: Re: Feed crops for sheep???
Post by: Hillview Farm on March 06, 2016, 07:25:29 am
Forage rape and turnips mixed. Kale,  beets and so on.

Plenty of people do it but I would have no idea how much you would need to grow per head.
Title: Re: Feed crops for sheep???
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 06, 2016, 02:57:33 pm
In this part of the world, swedes are turnips ;)

BH hasn't been able to grow turnips for more than 7 years here, it's become so wet.  :(  But he used to always grow some.  The fat lambs used to finish on them, then when the lambs had all gone, the ewes would go onto the field to clean up any remaining turnips; they'd be in late pregnancy by then.  I'm afraid he's been no help at all in suggesting how many acres for a given number of sheep!
Title: Re: Feed crops for sheep???
Post by: Jon Feather on March 06, 2016, 03:33:47 pm
We only have 12 sheep and maybe 18-20 after lambing  :thumbsup: so we will only be sowing a bed or 3 in the veg garden.  We just thought it would give us another option when the short of grass.