Hi all,
Apologies in advance for sounding like a total newbie!
I'm in need of a little guidance if someone can help me?
We've been on our smallholding now since March, and we have 2 goats (recently posted hoof issues in goats forum), and 3 sheep. The numbers are so low as we only have a 1 acre field (at the moment). All animals seem happy, healthy and integrated with each other very well. I don't intend breeding with the ewes until next year (they are yearlings at the moment)
My question is 2 fold
1) What medication/treatment regime should I follow for the sheep - now, before during and post lambing. What frequencies will they need worming, fly strike treatment etc. (The farmer I bought them off said he would advise, but I would prefer to be more self sufficient in the matter anyway)
2) There are areas of the field that I have electric fenced off to avoid the goats escaping. The grass beyond the fence is lush and green, whilst the main field where they are grazing is starting to look a little tired. I hoped the fact that so few animals grazing it meant it wouldn't be an issue. (The goats mainly forage in the hedgerows anyway). What/how can I treat the grass, and can I do it while the animals are in there?
Next year if we haven't got another field, I will split it in 2 and rotate them between.
I would be very grateful for any help in these matters.
Tim