[vfr400boy]

Had the local shepherd come and check my lambs and fluke my ewes,  3 of the lambs are booked in on Monday and iv sold them in halfs
   The 8 pet lambs he says will have to wait till next spring now , hows best to over winter them hay and a little bit of feed ? I can get sugar beets ? Or will they be ok on grass ?

[SallyintNorth]

They will need hay, probably from around Christmas onwards depending on location, weather, how much grass you have, etc.

A small amount of hard feed will help them through their first winter and mean they will be fit to go sooner come spring.  1/4 to 1/2lb per head per day depending on breed / type.  Make sure it's suitable for male sheep.  Something like Carrs Champion Tup & Lamb.  I have fed it mixed with soaked sugar beet but I haven't fed sugar beet on its own.  It would probably be fine just to keep them ticking over, but others may know more.

You can feed whole fodder beet or turnips, if you can get them, instead of cake. 

[vfr400boy]

Can I give them whole sugar beet ?

[twizzel]

My over wintering lambs just get grass and a feed block for a bit of protein and energy. They only get hay if it snows but have plenty of grass right through to spring.

[vfr400boy]

Ok they is still plenty of grass and am taking the biggest 3 out on Monday,  what block do you use?
   Sorry for all the questions

[twizzel]

I like the Mole Valley green energy block. My lambs graze some rougher grass over winter and have always done well with one of these blocks too as there’s a bit of urea in them to help forage digestability. But they are run on for breeding rather than fattening. https://www.moleonline.com/mvf-mole-lyx-extra-energy-elite-block-22-5kg-1059546

[vfr400boy]

I like the Mole Valley green energy block. My lambs graze some rougher grass over winter and have always done well with one of these blocks too as there’s a bit of urea in them to help forage digestability. But they are run on for breeding rather than fattening. https://www.moleonline.com/mvf-mole-lyx-extra-energy-elite-block-22-5kg-1059546

  Am passing mole valley on Thursday I will grab 2 thanks

[Anke]

I would have some hay just in case, or at least know where you can get some if you need it. If there is snow this winter they will need hay.

[Bywaters]

out of interest, why do they have to wait until the spring now ?

Lots of fat and store lambs being sold at my local mart.

[vfr400boy]

out of interest, why do they have to wait until the spring now ?

Lots of fat and store lambs being sold at my local mart.

They just very small they was pet lambs so have not done as well as the lambs on the ewes , ( maybe my fault as iv never had ophen lambs before) I don't want to sell in the markets  they will all be sold in halfs to family and friends etc , am in no rush as not doing it for the money

[vfr400boy]

And I have some hay lined up all ready at a good price and in small bales off a friend for the ewes , he has a barn full

[SallyintNorth]

Can I give them whole sugar beet ?

I don't know. You can feed turnips (aka swede) whole to sheep (never whole to cattle, whole or chopped to sheep). 

I found something on t'internet which said to always chop any beet for sheep unless feeding fodder beet unharvested from the field.  It seemed to say never to feed sugar beet whole to anything, as it is higher in dry matter than fodder beet and not as nutritious (by 4 to 1 on fresh weight, which surprised me), so they will need to eat more and it's drier.  But I don't know the provenance of that article.

[vfr400boy]

Just taken 3 to the abattoir,  I started setting up a pen with hurdles when the 3 biggest lambs come up to me i slowly opend the trailer n chucked a hand full of pellets in bobs your uncle all 3 and one smaller on straight in no messing! No stress , wish it was always like that

[Richmond]

If you handle animals quietly and regularly they shouldn't really cause an issue being loaded. You prepared well and they trusted you - job done

I loaded my last lot of weaner pigs by throwing a couple of hardboiled eggs into the trailer (their favourite food). They shot up the ramp like the devil was on their tail!

I have to send some more off in a couple of weeks - hope they are as easy ......

[landroverroy]

Sugar beet is ok for them, but it's much harder than fodder (or other)  beet so you will most likely need to chop it. I have one of those old fashioned root choppers which is great.
But if you do feed sugar beet do it slowly as it's higher dry matter, so more concentrated than other roots.