The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Maureen on September 28, 2016, 12:48:02 am

Title: extra food for elderly wether
Post by: Maureen on September 28, 2016, 12:48:02 am
Hi everyone, can anyone recommend nuts for an elderly wether?  (Just realised what I have written, but will leave it!).   :innocent:   One of my elderly wethers has lost weight this year , and I want to feed him dry food as an extra this winter, as I do for my elderly ewes.  I have read that rams and wethers should not be fed ewe nuts on a regular basis.
Title: Re: extra food for elderly wether
Post by: SallyintNorth on September 28, 2016, 01:03:41 am
Most general purpose stock blends are fine for rams - ask the vendor.

Otherwise, you can probably get a 'Tup & Lamb' mix.  I feed that to my ewes too, they don't need very high protein.
Title: Re: extra food for elderly wether
Post by: Buttermilk on September 28, 2016, 04:36:39 pm
I would feed grass nuts.
Title: Re: extra food for elderly wether
Post by: Maureen on October 01, 2016, 03:27:06 pm
Thank you for advice

Title: Re: extra food for elderly wether
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 01, 2016, 03:37:33 pm
If you want him to have as long a (good quality) life as possible I'd also recommend giving him access to shelter over the Winter, or perhaps a (large size) dog coat or calf jacket if his fleece quality is poor.  Pneumonia is probably the main risk, especially if you get lots of cold, wet, windy weather.
Title: Re: extra food for elderly wether
Post by: Maureen on October 08, 2016, 03:31:35 pm
thank you Marches Farmer - yes they have a large horse shelter well bedded with straw, and ad-lib hay in the winter.