The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: ejbhereford on May 11, 2018, 06:14:30 pm

Title: Weaning lambs
Post by: ejbhereford on May 11, 2018, 06:14:30 pm

Just wondering when people start weaning lambs. My first bunch are 9 weeks now and eating and drinking independently and I have a patch of grass away from my main holding that really needs grazing!

Title: Re: Weaning lambs
Post by: pharnorth on May 12, 2018, 08:31:48 pm

I did mine about 10-12 weeks as one set was triplets wanted them off the ewe sooner rather than later.

Title: Re: Weaning lambs
Post by: SallyintNorth on May 12, 2018, 10:09:51 pm

Off ewes, you mean?  I've never done that earlier than four months, unless the ewe was finding it hard work.  Then not before 10 weeks.

Title: Re: Weaning lambs
Post by: bj_cardiff on May 13, 2018, 05:55:45 am

I usually aim for 12 weeks. If the ewes are looking a bit ropey I will pull a few ewes out earlier.

Title: Re: Weaning lambs
Post by: Fleecewife on May 13, 2018, 11:56:37 am

Why do you need to wean them?  Do you need the ewes to be doing something else?  If you leave them be then the ewe will wean the lambs herself at around 4 to 5 months, and certainly in time to have a couple of months to recover before she goes back to the tup.