The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Orinoco on December 31, 2017, 07:53:16 am
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Hi
I wonder if anyone can give me a little advice, I have one of this years lambs which has only been seperated since putting mum in with the ram so 2 months now and has been fine bouncing around and eating until the last 2 days when she has gone off her food and is shouting at the sheep in the other field.
I don't think its anything to do with mum been in a separate field, but I am concerned she is off her feed for no obvious reason.
The breed is Ouessants and they have a stable to go in over night, plenty of hay and grass and fed twice a day on top.
Thanks for any advice.
K
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On heat.....they do not need supplementary feeding this is a non commercial breed evolved over many centuries to survive on marginal grazing with no additional care. Do NOT over supplement you won't get a hand in to manoeuvre a single lamb and the breed should only lamb singles.....
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Having read the previous thread on feeding I will clarify for those who may not quite understand the difference between feed and supplementary feed . Hay ( good quality) should always be available. Ouessants don't like thick stems and mine will pounce on second cut thin stemmed hay in preference to top quality first cut so think when you buy your hay...
Ewe lambs not with the ram should be on grazing ( and there are too many kept on too small a parcel of land to be able to rotate grazing sufficiently) and hay plus mineral block with trace elements a highly energized block is not necessary.
Ewes expecting lambs should be on good grazing and free access to hay . Depending on the year and the time before lambing I may add some supplementary feed but this is not ewe nuts but a lower protein mix to keep condition especially if the weather is very poor or in freezing temps . The breed does not condition score as commercial breeds but stores fat in their belly . if you have concerns over your sheep check their weight and all over condition.
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Thanks
OK so we shouldn't be adding in additional food, but would this account for one of them only been off their food (which they all love but might not be getting anymore), and acting out of character?
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You missed kanisha's answer to your question - "on heat" - your gimmer has her mind on reproduction not feed.
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lol - she's calling for a ram :)
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You missed kanisha's answer to your question - "on heat" - your gimmer has her mind on reproduction not feed.
This. She'll be eating quietly again tomorrow ;). (And likely doing this again in 17 days' time)
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unless of course they can get together .... :o :love:
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Yep, I did miss the answer and soo funny, so busy looking for problems to worry about didn't stand back and look at the actual signs that where in front of me. Ta guys.