[Nelson International]

I have a crystalix tub for my ewes/ewe lambs - it’s supposed to be 20 days worth for 20 sheep, but I only have 4 of them and they’ve gone through it in about 6 weeks I think.

Is this a problem in itself, or is it likely indicative of a lack of nutrition in the rest of their diet?

They’re in a field that’s still fully green, and I’ve been supplying them with hay for the last few weeks (they don’t seem very interested, unlike the ewe & ram that are together for tupping). They also get a small amount of cake as well. They also have access to water (but don’t seem to drink much if any).

[twizzel]

My sheep pig too when they have buckets. After the first week their consumption does tail off though. I found putting them away from where they congregate in the field helped reduce consumption, and not letting it empty- they will gorge then almost the novelty wears off if there’s always a bucket out.

[shep53]

Since these are non pregnant , have plenty of grass  , not hungry enough to eat hay and are getting some nuts why do you feel they need Crystalix as well , like giving a child sweeties

[Womble]

Which type of Crystalix is it?   Ours will gorge on the red buckets, but eat the black (mineral only) buckets much more slowly.

[Anke]

There should be no need to feed non-pregnant sheep anything other than (plenty of) hay during the winter, once the grass runs out.


I use the red Crystalix buckets for the pregnant girls after Xmas usually (once tup has been removed), but only if it is proper winter weather.

[SallyintNorth]

If you’re wanting them to have minerals, you can give those in different forms - drench, bonus, rock salt, mineral-only lick, free access powder, injection even.  It sounds like yours aren’t needing feed, so no need to give them a lick with a feed value.  They’re not late pregnancy either, so don’t need the sugar.

Which said, it can be a good idea to let ewe lambs have a little extra through their first winter, so long as they don’t get over-fat.  I’d give a few nuts or a feed-and-mineral lick, though, not both.  And it’s a bit early to start giving feed, really, if they’ve still got green grass under their feet. 

What type of sheep are they?  And where are you?

Which Crystalyx is it you’re giving them? 

[Marches Farmer]

Do you have badgers in your area?  Do you put the lid on the buckets overnight?  If yes to the first and no to the second that may be why your lick buckets are disappearing so fast.  Badgers have a very sweet tooth (and can spread bTB via their sputum).

[bj_cardiff]

I find that with all of the recent rain the molasses is a lot softer and the sheep can scrape it up more easily with their teeth. Since I moved the lick inside my sheep aren't getting through it so fast

[crobertson]

We must be lucky, our crystalyx has lasted our 14 ewes about 9-10 weeks. They looked really well on the garlic one as seemed to consume it slower so that might be a good option and as others have said it is always worth putting the lid on at night (we don't but don't have a problem with badgers).

[Nelson International]

If you’re wanting them to have minerals, you can give those in different forms - drench, bonus, rock salt, mineral-only lick, free access powder, injection even.  It sounds like yours aren’t needing feed, so no need to give them a lick with a feed value.  They’re not late pregnancy either, so don’t need the sugar.

Which said, it can be a good idea to let ewe lambs have a little extra through their first winter, so long as they don’t get over-fat.  I’d give a few nuts or a feed-and-mineral lick, though, not both.  And it’s a bit early to start giving feed, really, if they’ve still got green grass under their feet. 

What type of sheep are they?  And where are you?

Which Crystalyx is it you’re giving them?

They’re Nelson/texel crosses, and we’re in the hills in South Wales (not proper altitude but high enough to make a difference). I’ve heard rumours of badgers, but none within a couple of miles.

We had a worm issue earlier in the year and they didn’t seem to be putting on weight, but it sounds like I’ve started spoiling them. The current bucket is basically done so I’ll replace it with a mineral only lick I have in the shed.

Thanks all.