Author Topic: Early lambs  (Read 4196 times)

Raine

  • Joined May 2011
  • Lincoln
Early lambs
« on: March 03, 2014, 05:30:31 pm »
 :wave:


One of my Badger face welsh mountain ewe's suddenly gave birth to ram twins on Wednesday.  Both seem happy and healthy and have had all the "bad" things done to them.  I've kept them in a stable since just after birth, but wondering when I should let them out. 


The mum is now really wanting to get out, but the lambs prefer the warmth (even refused to follow her out the door).  It's going to be warmer days for the rest of the week and not too cold after tonight at night.  There is no built shelter in the field (as the flock have just moved onto a smaller field with loads of last years grass), but a couple of thick hedges and an area I could bed down with straw (though I know she will probably ignore it as soon as I let go).


I wasn't expecting any movement until early April, so any advice would be great.

Anke

  • Joined Dec 2009
  • St Boswells, Scottish Borders
Re: Early lambs
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2014, 06:41:08 pm »
I would have them outside during the day and bring back inside for the night. The ewe may be tempted to come back in if she know there are some nuts waiting for her inside.

MarvinH

  • Joined Oct 2011
  • England
Re: Early lambs
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2014, 07:04:27 pm »
Id put them out, they will be fine.
Sheep

SallyintNorth

  • Joined Feb 2011
  • Cornwall
  • Rarely short of an opinion but I mean well
    • Trelay Cohousing Community
Re: Early lambs
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2014, 07:29:03 pm »
How about out for the day and back in at night for a few days, then when you know it's going to be a mild night, leave them out?
Don't listen to the money men - they know the price of everything and the value of nothing

Live in a cohousing community with small farm for our own use.  Dairy cows (rearing their own calves for beef), pigs, sheep for meat and fleece, ducks and hens for eggs, veg and fruit growing

Foobar

  • Joined Mar 2012
  • South Wales
Re: Early lambs
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2014, 08:19:39 pm »
Put them out, they'll be fine  :).

Raine

  • Joined May 2011
  • Lincoln
Re: Early lambs
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2014, 08:31:58 pm »
 :wave:
Though my sheep are bucket trained, once she gets out in the field with her lambs, she isn't going to "play fair" to come back in at night!  I may just get her to come back to the food in a couple of days.


My mountain sheep could win awards for their "cross country" prowess (and it is not helped with me being short, fat and asthmatic)!  :sheep: :sheep: :sheep:

SallyintNorth

  • Joined Feb 2011
  • Cornwall
  • Rarely short of an opinion but I mean well
    • Trelay Cohousing Community
Re: Early lambs
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2014, 10:16:35 pm »
Just put them out then  :)
Don't listen to the money men - they know the price of everything and the value of nothing

Live in a cohousing community with small farm for our own use.  Dairy cows (rearing their own calves for beef), pigs, sheep for meat and fleece, ducks and hens for eggs, veg and fruit growing

Me

  • Joined Feb 2014
  • Wild West
Re: Early lambs
« Reply #7 on: March 04, 2014, 09:43:04 am »
Ideally, I make sure the lambs are dry and fed, tailed and out so they spend as little time in the pens of death as possible! Usually sub 24hrs (Lleyn/Lleyn x)

 

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