The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: sweet_lfa on July 22, 2012, 02:16:12 pm

Title: Sheep per acre for treading
Post by: sweet_lfa on July 22, 2012, 02:16:12 pm

Hi, we recently had a two acre field reseeded and would like to get some sheep on it to tread it down and graze it.  My question is, how many sheep would be best and how long should they be kept on it?

Title: Re: Sheep per acre for treading
Post by: omnipeasant on July 22, 2012, 10:39:18 pm

What do you mean by treading down? Haven't heard of this before.

Title: Re: Sheep per acre for treading
Post by: Mallows Flock on July 22, 2012, 11:50:24 pm

I know of people who use this method but not with sheep...... with calves... and use beween 2-3 calves per acre -  but you have to ensure they have enough feed and water access... prob best to give a cattle farmer free grazing access over the summer in return for borrowing a few calves' hooves for free!

Title: Re: Sheep per acre for treading
Post by: sweet_lfa on July 23, 2012, 07:37:41 am

That's interesting as I have been told by about four different people that sheep are the way forward for treading!  Apparently Capability Brown also used sheep for treading down earth during landscaping. 

Oh well, will do some research on the internet.

Thanks.

Title: Re: Sheep per acre for treading
Post by: Sylvia on July 23, 2012, 07:43:16 am

I've only known sheep to be used,their little hooves do the job perfectly.

Title: Re: Sheep per acre for treading
Post by: kitchen cottage on July 23, 2012, 07:50:13 am

I'm doing this on my front paddock!  about an acre and a half, I have 7 lambs on it and they are not getting through the grass, the wet weather has led to an amazing growth spurt!! ;D
 
*Finally, something I knew the answer to..... ;)

Title: Re: Sheep per acre for treading
Post by: sweet_lfa on July 23, 2012, 08:58:05 pm

Thanks folks.  I think we'll aim to borrow half a dozen sheep and see how we get on  :)

Title: Re: Sheep per acre for treading
Post by: Smashy and gang on July 24, 2012, 10:47:31 pm

Oooh, you can have ours for a while if you like ..... if you're anywhere near Oxfordshire and have a trailer ....