[the two Bs]

I would be very grateful for your advice. I have 4 pet sheep whom I love dearly and do my best to look after them as properly (sensibly)  as I can. The oldest 2 are 8, one of these is prone to bad feet. I graze them on several very small pastures that I rotate them round feeding wise, usually resting one at a time for about 3-4 months of the year. Unfortunately this year my usual organisation went a bit wrong  (I had a knee replacement and then broke my ankle needing surgery too on top of each other).One of my main summer grazing areas has now got very long grass, gone to seed (ie not grazed on this year) . I know this is not ideal for feeding, but should I top it (with as strimmer) (to about 10cm or so) before I let them on it?If so should I leave it for a while after that?  I have tried them on it for an hour a couple of times and they are not mad keen. I have heard they can get bad feet and even bloat. Advice would be very welcome. Thank you so much.

[twizzel]

It’s probably too long for them. Best to get a farmer to flail top it if possible. If they are prone to bad feet it will probably give them scald. I wouldn’t be too worried about bloat though. Grass this year has been difficult to manage for sheep.

[Fleecewife]

Scarlet Dragon's suggestion is a good one.  Strimming just minces everything then the mess lies on the top and rots.  Scything, which is not that difficult once you get the swing going, mows the grass so it can be turned every day with a pitchfork until it's crispy dry, then stacked for hay

[Anke]

For 4 sheep I wouldn't bother saving for hay for winter, and it is raining (finally!!!) in the Borders right now...

[Fleecewife]

For 4 sheep I wouldn't bother saving for hay for winter, and it is raining (finally!!!) in the Borders right now...

I think it's just a fun thing to do, learning about hay making and being a bit self sufficient in hay  , not having to rely on 'a friendly farmer' to rescue us every time we feel feeble. Most people wouldn't bother making their own hay but we do, using very second hand equipment we bought nearly 1/4 of a century ago, so no cost except fuel and twine, and most years we get enough to feed all our sheep for the winter, with organic hay which the sheep love.  Having said that, the rain has started here too so we might not get a crop this year - we just need about a weeks' more growth before we can cut it.  Doing it on the tiny scale the OP has, success or failure doesn't really matter, but making the cut grass into hay is one way of clearing it up 

[twizzel]

Making hay is a good idea but remember the OP has just had a knee replacement and ankle op 

[PipKelpy]

For 4 sheep I wouldn't bother saving for hay for winter, and it is raining (finally!!!) in the Borders right now...

You're lucky! It's been raining here since Friday! If it hadn't have been for a broken haybob, our haylage (mum wants) would have been done in that heatwave! It's still green but now it's longer! Last year I didn't have enough, this year I'm going to have too much!

[Fleecewife]

Making hay is a good idea but remember the OP has just had a knee replacement and ankle op 

I'm sure she can make up her own mind, helps to know the options.  Maybe there's a strong young man or woman in the family who could help out 

[the two Bs]

Thank you all so much for your wise advice. Unfortunately the gate is too small for tractor and flail, but scything sounds perfect. Love the idea of making hay  while the sun shines, but alas, as Anke says, its raining constantly. Also with my leg probably best to wait till next year. I have been looking on line for scythes, as nobody local (from farmers to tree surgeons to people who like landscaping) has one i can borrow. The general response has been "Ooh that's very dangerous you know", but i think this needs to be tempered with common sense and I need one!

However, I am bit confused - they cost from eBay's cheap and cheerful  £20 to more than £160. Any advice as to what to bear in mind?  Also, is sharpening one as difficult as some authors say? If you have a moment, I would value your opinions on this so much. And can I assume I am right that I might survive using one if I read about it/you tube it and am very careful?

Sheep are loving eating the lawn......(i do use them as wooly lawnmowers sometimes anyway.Thank you again

[Fleecewife]

 

  http://thescytheshop.co.uk/

This is Simon Fairlie.  Even if you don't buy one of his Austrian scythes, it's worth reading all the info he puts out.  You will learn how to measure your scythe to fit you personally, how to do the scything most efficiently, how to maintain your scythe including sharpening.  You're left feeling confident and raring to go

[Anke]

We are using the brushcutter attachment on our strimmer for scything long grass for my goats during summer.

[the two Bs]

Sorry its been a while for an update. I am very interested in learning how to scythe and have looked at Simon Fairlies brilliant and extensive website but I a) just don't have the time to put aside right now and, as somebody pointed out, I could be fitter, having had 2 leg ops in a year.
Anke - very interesting -  I was also advised to try the brush cutter attachment on a strimmer by my neighbour farmer and this is what I did in the end, using his. Made a bit of a mess regarding cut down grass, but I then got one of the very strong local lads to rake it thoroughly twice on separate occasions (the cows next door had a lovely treat!)  and it looks not too bad now. I am sure that scything would have been a lot tidier but I think I have got away with it. The weather was kind too.  I am going to try the sheep on it tomorrow!  Again, I am grateful for you all spending the time to help me - and I seriously will look at learning about scything - it is something I had not much thought about before, but it would be useful to have the skill on my ground. all the best!