Are we the only ones really struggling to get our ewes back to any sort of condition post lambing? I'm looking to sell some on (with lambs at foot) but they are so low condition I wouldn't be prepared to sell yet - they almost feel like skin and bones (they have lots of wool so don't LOOK bad, but when you catch 'em and cop a feel it is a different story!
Lambs are growing well and putting on weight fast (a few stragglers) so I wonder if they are just sucking everything out of mum. We are feeding like crazy - rough mix, molasses, mineral licks, the last of our hay and haylage - just wish the grass would start growing! This time last year we were having problems keeping it under control, this year it barely seems to have got started (and what is there is wolfed down the moment it shoots by hungry mouths!).
If I were to score them they are mostly under 2, some by an almost embarrasing amount that I almost feel cruel but they are leaving rough mix in the trough they can't eat! No real signs of scouring or worms so I don't think there is a problem at that end. I know sheep have a disproprtionately large baby compared with other mammals so is this just the normal state of things post lambing when the grass is in short supply?