[JEP]

hi I was looking at getting some lambs in spring time is there a minimum number of lambs I have to have as I have seven acres but I only looking at 2-4 lambs  is that expectable or do I have to have a big flock many thanks john

[Fleecewife]

Do you mean how many to keep all the grass eaten?   2-4 won't eat down 7 acres and you would be better to keep that number in a smaller area of your land, partitioned off, so they graze what they have well down, before you move them onto the next bit.
From the point of view of whether the sheep will be content, anything above one will be fine, so they can have a mini flock.  Practically, it's better to have at least 3, just in case one dies.
 

[JEP]

sorry for the confusion I was meaning the minimum number of lambs that can be kept thanks john

[colliewobbles]

sorry for the confusion I was meaning the minimum number of lambs that can be kept thanks john

Work on about 4-5 per acre - 4-5 sheep is roughly 1 grazing unit.

For comparison a cow is equal to 1 grazing unit and general rule of thumb is to graze 1 grazing unit/acre.

[smudger]

Lower stocking rate reduces worm burden and other nasties but you would have to use excess grass for hay or other stock. A vet reckoned at 1/acres you'd probably never have to worm or deal with foot problems nor vaccinate. I think 3 / acre is more the commercial norm which allows for a follower till weaning. Up to 6 for smaller / hardy / native breeds but the more sheep, the more input and costs required.


what was on the land before?  I cut all my fields for haylage before I brought anything onto it to 'clean' it of worms.

[colliewobbles]

Smudger - 4-5 per acre is definitely the commercial norm - I only know because we have recently been doing a farm tenancy application and I have the numbers coming out of my ears!!   

[smudger]

Aaaah but then there is commercial and then there is commercial :


but the more sheep, the more input and costs required.
[/size][/color]
[/size]And as my earlier post re pink eye/ flystrike, the more problems you will eventually see.[/color]

[/size]Where's stevehants? On holiday? He'd have summit to say...[/color]

[SteveHants]

Hahahaha.


3/ac +followers in summer, max (that isn't to say I dont rotate the grazing so there are actually more than that on any given area at any one time)


1.5 in winter.


Less sheep = more profit.

[colliewobbles]

Aaaah but then there is commercial and then there is commercial :

Well - that's according to the John Nics Farm Management handbook which, I understand, works on the most common ratios.

[Fleecewife]

It depends on the quality of the grazing      Rough hill in an LFA is not going to support 6 sheep per acre, whereas juicy rich Cheshire grass might.

[SteveHants]

Lowland Hampshire grazing wont support that either, specially when it starts to burn off in summer....




You'd have to be very careful having 4-5/ac in summer, because anything goes slightly wrong with the weather etc, you suddenly have a massive feed bill etc - plus...where will you graze said sheep in winter?


3/ac summer, 1.5/ac winter breaks down very niceley to give you half your farm to make hay/summer graze cattle etc and let the sheep on it all over winter...

[colliewobbles]

It depends on the quality of the grazing      Rough hill in an LFA is not going to support 6 sheep per acre, whereas juicy rich Cheshire grass might.

Yes - that's very true, of course we have been working on lowland grazing in Norfolk   

[Calvadnack]

I think what JEP is asking is the minimum number of lambs that would make the LAMBS relaxed and happy.  I would always have 3 of anything, just in case you lose one, you've then still got a pair and no panic about finding a friend.  But I've found that a group of 5 appears to make them most relaxed as a proper flock.


Is this what you're asking rather than stocking density ??

[JEP]

thanks Calvadnack  you have got my question spot on that was what I was asking
many thanks john