The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Andrea on October 21, 2012, 08:40:48 am
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hi, i'm new to this so any help would be great. I have three six month old sheep. what and when do i give them feed. there on grass and hay at the moment I think there ready for slaughter
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If they are ready for slaughter, then I'd be getting them away rather than incurring the cost of bagged feed.
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Ditto. I'd have been sending away commercial tup lambs around now (I've swapped to primitives so won't be yet).
What breed are they, whereabouts in the country are you, do you have grass for the next week or so before you can get them sold/to the abattoir?
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They are cross texel shetland and we are in nottingham east midlands they have plenty of grass but have been told they need hard feed thanks
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Well I give mine sheep coarse mix generally but you can get finishing nuts for a bit of extra fattening before you send them off.
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I live in Somerset and i will be sending my shetland X castlemilk moorit wethers off next month without hard feeding if I can.
We have very good grass, and I know most would hang on to them for a bit as they are smaller than your average sheep BUT they are in good condition and as my husband won't eat them I prefer a smaller joint. Also one of them is a horrible butty thing and I don't keep trouble for the fun of it!
If you think they are ready, send them in!
Having said that, they certainly aren't going to say no to a little extra feeding :D :sheep:
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thanks everyone. that was very usefull. think i'll keep them on grass for the next month then send to slaughter.
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Sounds like a good plan :thumbsup: