The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: JedM on January 31, 2017, 01:51:15 pm
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As the title says ;)
I have a field that hasn't been grazed since September, so it has grass but no goodness in it (I presume).
My in-lamb shearlings are in very good condition, and are in a field that has a bit of rough grazing left.
I don't know whether to leave them there and feed ad-lib hay, or move them to the field with grass? What is less fattening? I get very scared about prolapses and cesareans!!
They are due in March (6 weeks to go)
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What breed and have you had them scanned?
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Give them the grass. It's what they would prefer in preference to hay, and it won't keep indefinitely, so wants eating down ready for the regrowth in spring.
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Thanks, they are hampshire down and I haven't had them scanned. They don't need hard feed yet, and still look big!
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We're in the same position, we only have 6 texels who are already in excellent condition (probably too good) and haven't really had much feed yet. A lovely couple who own a field next to ours have offered us free grazing on a field not graved for years. The sheep love it and have acres to themselves but I worry they are filling themselves up on grass of poor quality rather than the hay they were eating which I could monitor.
I am putting a bit of hay in and then its there if they want it and will make sure I put a lifeline bucket in 6 weeks prior to lambing to give them anything they need.
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Grass is far better for their health than fodder.
The grass at this time of year wont be as good as summer grass but will keep them in finer fettle than othewise, plus they will be moving to graze rather than standing still, which helps keep them fit, as well as less fat on their back.
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you can always offer them a little hay whilst they're in that field, and see if they're interested. That's a good clue as to the quality of the grass.