The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: shrekfeet on June 21, 2010, 02:20:03 pm

Title: weaning and mastitis
Post by: shrekfeet on June 21, 2010, 02:20:03 pm

Hi folks - what's the general opinion on the age to wean non-intensive lambs?
Also do I need to do anything with the ewes other than seperate them? With cows we always used to put antibiotic in the teat to stop them getting mastitis.
Thanks

Title: Re: weaning and mastitis
Post by: Fleecewife on June 21, 2010, 02:29:47 pm

We avoid any problem by letting the ewes do most of the weaning themselves. Our lambs are born in April, we take out any uncastrated males at 4 months, then finally separate the rest in September, by which time the ewes are winding down their lactation.  This leaves two months for the ewes to get back into condition before tupping time comes round again in November.  Obviously we watch the ewes for signs of problems but have never had any.

Title: Re: weaning and mastitis
Post by: Anke on June 22, 2010, 10:23:45 pm

I put the ewes into a small paddock (with very little grass) and feed hay only for a few days.

Title: Re: weaning and mastitis
Post by: Hellybee on June 23, 2010, 10:19:16 am

yeah we been advised to get the ewes onto thriftier grazing to help them dry up before they go back on good grazing like Anke says to flush them and keep moving them to get them right for tupping  :wave:

Title: Re: weaning and mastitis
Post by: humphreymctush on July 25, 2010, 07:41:33 pm

i feed straw, this is very low in nutrition but has plenty of bulk to keep the digestion working