Author Topic: Creep? (Read 4507 times)

MelRice · « **on:** April 06, 2013, 07:29:07 am »

What do you call creep?...We have 100% snow cover still at moment and my sheep are on ad lib hay with a few sheep nuts morning and eve. Ive tried offering some soaked sugar beet to my two lambs with a few crushed oats in, The mum fed one has a go but bottle fed one wants me!!!!!

sokel · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2013, 07:35:42 am »

Lamb Creep is a much smaller nut/pencil feed for young lambs

MarvinH · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2013, 02:29:48 pm »

Creep feed

Ina · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2013, 03:04:14 pm »

Mel - I don't think there is creep feed as such in Germany, they just seem to have one word for that (Kraftfutter). From what I remember, breeds are generally much larger than here, so even lambs would usually manage the larger size of feed that's also given to their mothers. Anyway, their are so few shepp in Germany that I reckon it would hardly be worth it producing special feed for them. (In case you are wondering why it's called creep - the lambs get fed in a little extra space that's fenced off, but which they can creep into through a gate that's too small for their mothers, so they can't nick their lamb's feed.) Since they are generally larger than lambs here, you might also need to feed them more milk than is generally recommended for typical British smallholders' breeds (often smaller breeds).

You can always ask at your local feed merchant if they sell special "Kraftfutter for Laemmer".

MelRice · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2013, 03:06:29 pm »

....No such thing over here as designated lamb pellets. Sheep pellets are about 1cm cubed max...at the moment I have tried them on soaked sugar beet (mums can eat it un-soaked in smallish quantities + plenty of water) My friend feeds her adults oats....Bunny pellets are tiny any good?

Ina · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2013, 03:11:29 pm »

Sugar beet is mostly carbs; youngsters need protein... You'd need to look at what's in your feed, nutrition-wise.

There's something on bergophor.de that they call Laemmerkraft, which is meant for lambs as well as lactating ewes. Even from my experience it doesn't take long for lambs to cope with "normal" ewe nuts, and that was normal Scottish breeds.

MelRice · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2013, 03:13:38 pm »

Thanks Ina...Yes my sheep are big but many people have little sheep....soay, Hiedesnuke (German heathland sheep) and Blackbellied Barbados.
There are a few fields of sheep (Ive seen 3 or 4 flocks) but mainly they are kept in tiny groups of less than 10. Lots of people have two...as I do.
Borrow a boy for a week or so in the autumn, Spring born lambs....killed for Christmas enough lamb for the two of us for the year at least.

Ina · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2013, 03:18:07 pm »

Yeah, sheep numbers vary greatly depending on location. But there aren't the large flocks like here, which would make specialised feed viable.

Had to read that several times to decipher the English spelling of Heidschnucke, though!

True, they are more like what we have here. But you said yours were larger, didn't you? I would just let them have some of mum's stuff, provided she has enough milk, and there is hay and/or grass.

Bionic · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2013, 03:18:47 pm »

Mel, speaking from a real novice point of view watch that you don't give any ram lambs feed that is meant for ewes as I understand it causes kidney stones or something like that. I am sure someone more knowledgeable will put me right if this is incorrect.
So the creep, or lamb feed, apart from its small size, is suitable for both sexes.

twizzel · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2013, 04:55:37 pm »

Creep is a pellet feed for lambs normally around 18% protein, contains amongst other things a bit of milk powder and beet... I've added a bit of soaked sugarbeet to creep this year due to lack of grass and just gives them a bit more fibre. Be careful with feeding straight cereals it can cause them to bloat and die very easily.

Pipsa · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2013, 08:22:43 pm »

So when I walk to the local "agricultural store" and ask for creep they will know what I mean ?
Any specific makes ? At what age do I start giving creep ?
thank you for your advice.

colliewoman · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2013, 09:54:01 pm »

Quote from: MelRice on April 06, 2013, 03:06:29 pm

....No such thing over here as designated lamb pellets. Sheep pellets are about 1cm cubed max...at the moment I have tried them on soaked sugar beet (mums can eat it un-soaked in smallish quantities + plenty of water) My friend feeds her adults oats....Bunny pellets are tiny any good?

Rabbit pellets contain copper (at least they should do) so personally I wouldn't use these for sheep.
how about the course mix type stuff? Can you get hold of that, cos lambs do love it so