[andywalt]

As you all know Ive started lambing with 10 ewes which are nicely penned in a barn....

the first set of twins that are a week old now are springing around the pen and the ewe is bright and eating well.....

In the field I have built a small wind break with open roof on one side which I will put some straw under, all look strong, shall i just put then out? and make sure she gets her grub everyday?  what do you all do? im obviously worriying to much?




andy

[ukag0972]

Don't put them out just yet!

We too have lambs which are now nearly 3 weeks old and ours won't be put out till we really have too. The weather can change so drastically at this time of year!!

[andywalt]

ahh ok, I was worried about a change in the weather, after all Feb can be the worst month, I am just trying to gauge what is right? am I being to over protective? what weather would be to extreme for them? so I am relying on all you guys out there to give me some advise on this one as I dont know where the line is? or is it a case of turning them out in April?  I am not really geared up to turn out on some days and not others also not geared up to turn out days and in at night.

[andywalt]

And just to add, the vet after delivering the twins said "Two days and put them in the field" as there is more infection in the pen than the field!!

I realise january is not a month which we choose to lamb but what would you guys do ?

[woollyval]

Hi Andy

Well it depends! I am a firm believer in better out than in...but I'm in the south west...different if up north!
However....the longer you leave them in the more disease build up you can get and more likelihood of problems!

Whai I have done in past for many years is pen lambs with mum for 24-48 hours until all the MOT jobs are done on mum and lambs  banded and suckling really well and looking full of beans. Then i take them in batches to new sheltered field. I would have a hay trolly if this time of year and feed hard feed in troughs. Molassed lick buckets also available.
I don't like leaving lambs and ewes in pens and second choice after turning out would be a big clean barn with a yard.
Sheep and lambs are designed to live outdoors and often we worry too much about them. Every lamb is valuable but sometimes more problems and losses occur from them being inside too long!  

[woollyval]

Oh...and to add...if putting out at this time of year...get lamb macs...fab!

[andywalt]

Im in the southeast so a warmer climate like yourself !! lamb macs yup, ill have to order some, we have a hay rack feeder which we can pull near the little shelter I built, I will get it organised this week when I get some spare time,  thanks

[morri2]

I don't class myself as an 'experienced' shepherdess, but I agree wholly with everything Woollyshepherd has said.  My two little darlings were outside after a few days, just in the small paddock here with access to the sheep shed if they wanted it. Thats how we usually deal with putting the lambs out for the first time here.  However, it is only January so if the weather forecast is bad, I will bring them in.  Cheers. 

[andywalt]

thanks all, thanks Caroline

[Tilly]

Hi Andy


On the farm I am putting all the in lamb ewes out during the day and fetching them in at night.
As the ewes lamb, they are left inside and put into batches- we have a large building so the lambs can run about and the ewes have  hay
ad lib along side their concentrate ration.

Tilly

[Fleecewife]

I would say that as long as there isn't more deep snow down your way, they will be ok outside.  With a well-strawed shelter in the field they can hide from heavy rain or wet sleet.  They don't mind dry cold at all, even many degrees of frost.  So you do need a contingency plan to bring them in if severe snow is forecast, but other than that sheep are best kept outdoors.  For the triplets, put them out once they are well mothered-up, but keep an eye on them - when we kept Jacobs they mostly had triplets and would be ok feeding three for a few weeks then one would start to lag behind the others as it was getting less milk. 

[pikilily]

hi andy - not an experienced shpherd here but - all advice given to me is out, out, out! especially if you can provide windbreaks and shelters.
....as for the Macs, you say you will have to order them...in the interim why not use placky bags (tescos etc)

Just cut one of the bottom corners off for a head hole, then make slits for the front legs near to the oposiste corner, and the handles for the bags work as read legstraps to keep the homemade mac in place. Gok Wan may have something to say,,, but function wins every time in my book!

at least you can get the little darling out. also if you can use the same branded bags for siblings, but vary among the flock then you can see instantly that the lambs are with the correct mum!
HTH Emma T

[Freddiesfarm]

Hi Andy

I've got quite a few sheep and I am lambing all the singles outdoors - doubles and triples indoors and then out after a day or so to bond. 

Lamb macs are good but can lead to mismothering!

Good luck

Freddie

[lachlanandmarcus]

Im with the unless deep snow, better outside persuasion.
The less time they spend inside the better, as long as they are healthy and getting plenty of milk and have some shelter.
However well you clean pens they are still far more likely to pick up bugs indoors than out.

Just my 2p worth.

[andywalt]

thats great i like anyones 2ps worth, gives us all a broad view of the subject its great, will have to wait till the weekend as I have to make a gate in the fence and finish the small shelter !! I will take photos