[Jamie12]

Had my girls scanned today, 18 singles, 6 twins, 5 empty (two weren't tipped) and one surprise who wouldn't come in for love nor money!.
I had planned for seperate into groups, but the horse are still in the paddocks I wanted to use. They are in a 20 acre field, with reasonable amounts of graze though the quality isn't great. Ewes are in good condition, maybe a few are a little over fat. Should I be feeding? The landlord has been sheeting hay for the horses in the sheep field and they haven't been that bothered with it, they have a crystalyx bucket also. Will they be okay all together? I will move them into the field with the poly tunnel closer to lamving. What is best to do with the empty girls? A few have Been lame repeatedly, one I think has reobosrbed as she got tangled in string (bloody landlord  ) but otherwise they seem nice big girls with the exception of the lame one that I couldn't catch!. When vaccinating with covexin should I do the empty girls anyway?.getting nervous now!.

[Marches Farmer]

I vaccinate all my breeding stock when I give the ewes their booster (Heptavac).  If the ram was in for two cycles or more I'd think seriously about keeping the barreners, particularly one suffering from persistent lameness, unless you want pet sheep.  At lambing minus 6 weeks I start feeding 50g per ewe twice a day then increase to 100g twice a day at minus 5 weeks.  I then split them when they get their booster at minus 4 weeks and feed them according to how many lambs and/or their condition.  All this is very dependent on breed, age, condition, weather, shelter, quality of grass and feed (I use 18% protein), spread of lambing dates .....  Getting it right is one of the most delicate taks of shepherding.

[Jamie12]

Thanks, I think 'lamey' will become freezer soon!. My head says get rid of any barren, though a few local farmers have said keeprthem in case they come right. Fingers crossed all will be well!.

[Backinwellies]

When are they due to lamb?   Your ewe expecting twins will need more feed than those with singles (not much point scanning unless you do this).

check this doc...http://www.eblex.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Booklet-Year-Round-Feeding-the-Ewe-for-Lifetime-Production.pdf

[Jamie12]

Thanks, my tablet won't let me open the document. Will print it off when I get access to a laptop. My issue with splitting off is that there is five fields, three are being used by non rent paying horsey people who refuse to move. Hoping to get girls seperated soon. Hoping the twins can go into a small pony paddock across the road

[Womble]

^ That's a really good document Backinwellies. Thanks for sharing!  .