Author Topic: Lambing in May (Read 8069 times)

ladyK · « **Reply #15 on:** April 19, 2015, 11:28:13 pm »

I have Soays and lambed end of May last year. Fly strike immediately after birth was a real problem - maybe not dupridingly given the bloody gunk on their backside. Two ewes with twins got struck, one ewe (but not her lambs), and on the other set of twins both lambs (but not their dam) - in both probably on day 2 or 3. Horrible, but they all recovered well.

This year my lot decided to get started a whole 7 weeks earlier!

kelly58 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 20, 2015, 10:07:50 am »

Will shear their back ends once they have lambed to lower the chance of Fly strike, as l mentioned earlier l am doing them with spot on next weekend when they get their Hep P jag.
Thanks for the heads up

Im not feeding them at present havent done for a while, they are in good condition.
They have field shelters in each field so l dont worry about wet and windy days, just needed someone to confirm if l had to give them any feed before lambing.

crofterswife · « **Reply #17 on:** April 20, 2015, 01:00:11 pm »

Hi, We always lamb our blackface in May and feed a little sheep crunch and oats. We have vitamin blocks out too.
we are in the north west of Scotland and our grass is only starting then. Never had a problem with too big/ fat lambs.

kelly58 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 20, 2015, 01:21:34 pm »

Thanks Crofterswife, more my end of the country, will keep an eye on their weight.
My Boreray originate from your Black face crossed with the Ancient tan face.

crofterswife · « **Reply #19 on:** April 20, 2015, 01:36:03 pm »

Should clarify only feed when we take them off the hill to lamb. They do have vitamin blocks all winter though.
The Boreray sound really interesting. Do they reach the same size as the Blackface?

kelly58 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 20, 2015, 02:49:02 pm »

Mature ewes weigh 28kg, standing 22" at the withers, Tups obviously bigger.
Dont know about your blackface ?

crofterswife · « **Reply #21 on:** April 20, 2015, 07:18:01 pm »

Our mature Blackie ewes can be 40 kg and be about 30" to the shoulder. As you say the tups are much bigger.
So guess the Blackies are a bit bigger.

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #22 on:** April 20, 2015, 07:19:53 pm »

I keep Lleyn sheep and lamb them in early April, I feed them at least 3 weeks before they lamb and they always have a lick in with em. Good lambing so far this year tons of twins and singles, only 2 gave triplets.