[tommytink]

This has prob been covered many times before, but can anyone give an example of what concentrates they feed their pregnant ewes?

I have two breeds, both native, slightly different sizes. I don’t scan so no clue what they may be carrying. They have ad-lib hay but the fields they’re on is pretty naff. They all feel in decent condition with only two that are a bit skinnier.

I’ve recorded what I fed in previous years. Usually x amount per head taking into account the slightly bigger sheep will take a bit more than the smaller ones. My OH is hammering on about we should be feeding more, as it’s only minimal at the moment, and now I’m worrying I’m starving them!

I am around five weeks away from the majority lambing. I have a sheet that suggests they should be on around 200g a day (I am doing less than this as per what I’ve done before). Increasing to a max of 500g a week before due. That’s for a single, twins a bit more.

Just to recap I don’t know what they’re carrying and I haven’t had my hay analysed. They feel in good average condition, not too skinny/fat. I’m just looking for a rough idea of what you feed

[twizzel]

I am 3 weeks from starting; twins are on 250g/day, triplets on 500g/day. From a fortnight away the twins will be on 500g/day, triplets 750g. So essentially working up to 250g per lamb scanned. This year I got a 19% ewe nut with slightly more energy and soya in it, as a lot of my sheep are expecting triplets. Hoping it’ll help with colostrum quality too. They have a lifeline bucket too, so that does add feed value. Still out at the moment but probably be in by end of the week.


If you don’t scan, feed for inbetween singles and twins?

[Anke]

I have never weighed my sheep feed, but I only feed in the last month before the first ones are due, and it is definitely not more than 200 to 300g per sheep. I feed once a day (morning), when they also get a hay top up. Any that are slow to come to the trough are checked over. I also always have a High Energy molasses bucket in the field (from January onwards, depending on weather). In the last few weeks before lambing they will also drink a lot more water, so buckets need to be filled up and ice removed.


Unless sheep are already very thin or overweight (both can cause pregnancy toxaemia), you are unlikely to overfeed them in the last month, they just haven't got the capacity anymore.


I just feed a standard ewe&lamb mix, and continue to do so for about 4 to 6 weeks post-lambing.

[shep53]

Every year will be slightly different depending on how much grass keeps growing ( this year is fairly good ) the hay quality  ( fairly good last hay time )  so keep condition scoring your ewes , if putting condition on then too much feed  so less concs  , a small loss is ok  or holding steady , so just vary a little the amounts that worked before

[Bramham Wiltshire Horns]

hi Tommy

I have used this since i have had sheep and this has worked really well for me

was fine with Ryelands and now Wiltshire Horns, all good sized lambs and no real issues at Lambing.

adjust slightly with triplets adnd singles

last year I only started feeding at 4 weeks prior and just missed the first couple of weeks.

depending how the weather was

[tommytink]

Thanks all. Going by this I think I’m prob on track but the amount of nuts just doesn’t look like much at the moment! But hay is kept topped up and I have a Lifeline lamb and ewe block in till they lamb. The grass is pretty much non-existent where they are but I do have another field to move them into before lambing. The OH is always big on them getting nutrition and worries we’re not doing it right. Our lambs have been okay before so don’t think we’re doing too badly but always good to know what others do

[shep53]

Your Lifeline provides energy and protein  ( bucket is 12%  block is 18% ) and say they eat 100 gms per day  of a high quality protein  then this allows you to reduce your amount of nuts / mix fed each day

[PipKelpy]

Your Lifeline provides energy and protein  ( bucket is 12%  block is 18% ) and say they eat 100 gms per day  of a high quality protein  then this allows you to reduce your amount of nuts / mix fed each day

I started buying this as it was supposed to be that little bit better than the super energy with fish (for prelambers that is), well my ungrateful toerags either aren't as keen OR prefer the super energy with fish! I bought 4 this year, 1 per cow (they don't like the calf version) and 2 to spread out between the 7 lambers. Also some super energy. They've scoffed all but one super energy (Mary scoffed an 80kg tub in 3 weeks!) but the prelambers, Knickers turned her nose up.at it, Mary half heartedly had hers and the sheep are just nuzzling at the other 2.

I don't know why I bother!