The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: NewLifeOnTheFarm on December 12, 2018, 07:20:38 pm

Title: Feed blocks
Post by: NewLifeOnTheFarm on December 12, 2018, 07:20:38 pm
Thought I would give a feed lick/block a go this year, our local store does their own high energy block, 25kg. How long would people expect this to last for 22 in lamb Shetlands?
Title: Re: Feed blocks
Post by: shep53 on December 12, 2018, 08:16:15 pm
How long is a piece of string ??   It will say on the container ave daily consumption  but depends on hay /grass quantity / quality and any other feed given
Title: Re: Feed blocks
Post by: Buttermilk on December 13, 2018, 08:41:18 am
I have 18 Zwartbles gannets who have cleaned up a lifeline bucket in 6 days.  They are not short of feed as they have access to ad lib hay.  The general lick bucket they have had since tupping has hardly been touched.
Title: Re: Feed blocks
Post by: thesuffolksmallholding on December 14, 2018, 02:40:35 pm
2 weeks tops.
Dozen suffolk mules used to get through a tub every 2 weeks with hay and grass underneath them, saying that your shetlands are smaller and probably more thrifty so I would say would last 22 about the same amount of time.
Title: Re: Feed blocks
Post by: Backinwellies on December 14, 2018, 03:04:06 pm
Depends if they like it!!     either less than two weeks or never in my experience!
Title: Re: Feed blocks
Post by: Me on December 14, 2018, 08:53:29 pm
Leave the lid on and it lasts longer.
Title: Re: Feed blocks
Post by: Buttermilk on December 15, 2018, 01:16:28 pm
I tried putting a lid on overnight but the beggars managed to remove it.  Lifting the bucket out of the field is not an option my back wishes to do.
Title: Re: Feed blocks
Post by: twizzel on December 15, 2018, 05:34:08 pm
I use lifeline buckets pre lambing which can be inhaled by the ewes! Last year I put a Downland optilix energy bucket out with the lifeline, the Downland bucket is a lot harder and slows down the lifeline consumption. Planning on doing the same this year. Downland bucket out from 6 weeks pre lambing, lifeline from 4 weeks.
Title: Re: Feed blocks
Post by: Buttermilk on December 15, 2018, 08:47:25 pm
I am trying a tublix high energy now,