The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: hannermwnci on July 22, 2018, 11:15:17 am

Title: Supplement feeding
Post by: hannermwnci on July 22, 2018, 11:15:17 am

I am down to low amounts of grass now and no sign of rain to encourage growth. I have been giving my sheep hedge trimmings of ash and sycamore leaves etc but am getting short of that. They show no interest in hay at the moment. Is there anything else I could try?

Title: Re: Supplement feeding
Post by: twizzel on July 22, 2018, 01:10:54 pm

If they aren’t eating the hay then they are obviously finding all that they need from grazing. What sort of sheep- ewes, finishing lambs ? I put a feed block out for my lambs that are close to finish, but my ewes and rams just have hay to supplement the lack of grass.

Title: Re: Supplement feeding
Post by: hannermwnci on July 22, 2018, 01:29:56 pm

Ewes.  4 Badger faced mountain sheep and 2 Shetlands with four lambs. They do not look to be losing condition, except one of the Shetlands but she always was slight.

Title: Re: Supplement feeding
Post by: Backinwellies on July 22, 2018, 03:09:35 pm

They don't need anything if they are maintaining condition

Title: Re: Supplement feeding
Post by: hannermwnci on July 22, 2018, 03:25:49 pm

OK Thanks for the advice. I'll see how they fair on what they have.

Title: Re: Supplement feeding
Post by: Fleecewife on July 22, 2018, 06:27:18 pm

Do you have access to willow?  They love that and it keeps the vits and minerals topped up.

Title: Re: Supplement feeding
Post by: hannermwnci on July 23, 2018, 09:59:58 am

Have access to goat willow if that will do.

Title: Re: Supplement feeding
Post by: YorkshireLass on July 25, 2018, 08:27:44 pm

I'd keep offering small amounts of e.g. willow or hay every now and then (weekly maybe?) - just so you'll know if they get to a point where they need something extra.