[Kitchen Cottage]

I introduced my lambs to pasture too soon... and now are scouring... I've put them back in the coral today and have fed them nuts and hay.  I am going to put them out for 3 hours tomorrow... but I work during the week.  Can anyone think of a way to introduce them gradually or when they will go out normally.  They are wormed and I am going to dag the pooey ones tomorrow.... I am assuming the non pooey ones would be okay if put on the grass, its been a week and they are fine.

Advice would be gratefully received.  They aren't bloaty and otherwise are fine.

[jaykay]

It may be the grass - and it may be Nematodirus. When did you worm them? What is the history of the pasture?

If Nematodirus you could lose them if you delay in worming them again. Personally, that's what I'd do, with a different wormer, if you haven't done it since they started scouring on that pasture, unless the pasture hadn't had sheep on it for a year.

If good reason to believe it's not Nematodirus then hay and water, followed by limited access to the grass, as you're planning, should help.

[Mel Rice]

Have you got an electric fence? You can put it across the field so that they only get a small strip of fresh grass daily as you advance the fence . The first day or so the area will be tiny but it will increase. I wouldn't bother with the nuts either. If you think they need more food just hay will soak up the greenness.

[Kitchen Cottage]

the field hasn't had sheep on for about 20 years.  Its land I bought from my neighbour and I seeded it against last autumn so it is looking, frankly, lush.  They have been given panacur prior to coming here, they are from my city farm.  The farm has no grass at the moment. Its in a town park and too much grass competition for then number of animals. I have an electric box, but only wire I've used for sheep.  I can create a stock fence area though.  The farm I bought them from are sure its exposure to the grass.  I think that's more likely? 

[wonderwooly]

hi I find that making sure they have had enough to eat on the older dryer pasture before moving for rotanal reasons that day, makes and marked difference, ie wait until the afternoon on a sunny day, i know its not always possible but I guess you could as you say give the hay then turn them out, don't be to worried or to eager would be y advice.
good luck

[jaykay]

If the pasture has not been grazed for 20 years then it's not worms. Good!

So yes, it does sound like just exposure to lush grass and the advice given to restrict their access, and otherwise stick to hay, sounds good.

[Bramblecot]

I had to put mine on lush grass this week (it seems tobe all or nothing at the moment).  But I also put out a couple of bales of old hay.  Some of them congregate around the bales and nibble at it so I suppose they are controlling their own intake.  The magnesium lick and bucket are used a lot too.  About 5 out of 50 have had green bums  so not too bad. 

[Kitchen Cottage]

They have all dried up since they were kept in yesterday.  I gave them hay last night and this morning before I let them out.  I'm dividing the field, because half is not as good and I'll give them until 4 then take them in.  Now, of course, I just have to deal with their squitty bums! 

Thanks everyone