[Bionic]

I have been trying to work out how to kit out the 'maternity wing'.
I will only have 2 ewes expecting at the same time so will make pens for them both.
Are they ok with hay in hay nets?

[lachlanandmarcus]

I really wouldnt use haynets ever with sheep, they will likely hang themselves (lambs) or break legs (ewes), there isnt really a safe way to use them for sheep, they need a fixed mesh hay rack (wee ones you can hang onto the pen is ideal or if not available just have the hay on the floor in a corner.

[Hazelwood Flock]

You could use hay bags, a simple design is to cut a hole 2/3 of the way down an empty feed bag, fill it with hay, tie the top and hang it in the pen. Old hessian peanut sacks work well too 

[SallyintNorth]

Hay nets are not ideal for sheep, far too likely to get their silly feet (or the lambs their heads) stuck in them.

Better is a hay rack, made from a flap of weldmesh, 2" squares are ideal, strapped to the top of the lambing hurdle.  Or fashion a way of strapping the hay to the outside face of the pen so she pulls it through the slits in the hurdle.  Or, with just two to lamb, make a gap between the side hurdles of the two pens and push hay down into the gap for the two ewes to share.

Lambs will get themselves hung with the slightest provocation.   Remember to cut the loops of any strings you use to tie hurdles, etc...

[Foobar]

I've used haylage nets (not hay nets, haylage nets have smaller holes than hay nets) without any issue.  I hang them along the top of the hurdles, so they are out of reach of any lambs.  I also tie them tight to the hurdle, top and bottom to prevent them swinging around, and keep them filled up.
Beware, I have had older lambs (6months+) use these as launching pads to get themselves out of their pen before, but my ewes are more concerned with their babies than escaping.  So I only use them at lambing.
Get a big one and you can straddle it across a hurdle so that it feeds two pens.

[ScotsGirl]

I've used hay eats with sheep and goats but they chew through them so won't last long. Feed bag sound a good idea, I might try that one. Mole Valley had an offer on racks to hang over hurdles.

[Bionic]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I am still exploring the options at the moment but will avoid hay nets.
Sally

[daveh]

If you have Tim Tyne's book there is a photo of some wooden hay racks he made. I used his design estimating sizes from the photo. Like him, I made them so they would fit over the wooden hurdles I made, also inspired by the book. As I'm using mine outside at the moment I made some lids to keep the hay dry and stop it blowing away.


Regards, Dave

[ZaktheLad]

I find flexi tubs very handy for putting hay in for the ewes whilst in individual lambing pens.  They can be purchased in medium or large size and are great for hay as they are nice and deep but give easy access for the ewe.  Also there's no chance of lamb(s) being hurt or trapped by the tub.  They can be purchased for a similar price to a hay net with a lovely choice of colours  .   I have used the sheep hurdle hook on hayracks in the past too, but find that the ewes kept pushing them off, even when I tied them to the hurdle.  The other good thing about flexi tubs is that once you have finished with them in the lambing pens you can use them for a huge variety of other uses around the farm or garden.   

As you only have the two ewes you could also try a laundry basket like the one shown - either on the floor in the pen or tied to the side of the hurdle at a suitable height!  A cheap option and practical!

http://www.tesco.com/direct/laundry-basket-green/211-0508.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=211-0508

[kaz]

I use all sorts in my sheep pens, but not hay nets. I have the proper hay bags, that are normally taken with you for sheep showing. I find the best ones are the ones that are supposed to fit over the top of the hurdle, which I don't do.
I tie them to the hurdles very securely, and if you have a pen joined to another, the adjacent pen can also eat from the same rack.

[colliewoman]

There is something that appears to be tailor made for the job, and thrown away by the hundreds.....




Freezer baskets.
Never lave one in a skip/fly tip/mate's shed/recycling center. Far too useful for the sheepages!

[smee2012]

We made one out of some old pallets. Works quite well and the sheep seem to like it.

[Bionic]

There is something that appears to be tailor made for the job, and thrown away by the hundreds.....

Freezer baskets.
Never lave one in a skip/fly tip/mate's shed/recycling center. Far too useful for the sheepages!

CW, thats a great idea. I don't have freezer baskets but do have a wire veg rack that I don't use now. I am sure I can adapt the trays from that.
thanks.

[norfolk newbies]

Thanks CW, that is BRILLIANT.
I have 2 or 3 which I kept, as they 'might be useful'. OH fed up of them, especially as plastic wrap coming away in parts and therefore they look not so nice for storing food.
 
I knew it was worth keeping them.
 
Just have to figure out a way of using bailer twine ( without loops) to keep them attached to the pens...
 
Jo

[ZaktheLad]

You could use some of those black plastic tie strips instead of baler twine - the ones that you thread the long end through the small eye and then pull tight