[kellybee]

Hi folks, this is a first ever post from a new sheep owner. We have land with ponies and chickens etc, and yesterday we picked up two ewe lambs - southdown crosses. They were born this spring, and have been out at grass all summer.

There are not even vaguely tame though, and we wanted to start hand feeding them a little every day so that they are 1) easier to bring in and 2) so the children can make friends with them.

They have a paddock with a field shelter and himalayan salt lick. It has longer grass in the horse-poo corners and is still weedy around the boundaries, as well as having enough grass on the rest of the paddock for grazing.  I have been shown how to trim their feet, and given a date for their next wormer etc. I've ordered a large bale of meadow hay to put into the field shelter before the ground gets too wet to drive it in.... but having had a look at the feeds available I am just flummoxed.

We obviously wont be breeding from them this year, I think they'll have enough to eat to keep them going over winter and therefore its just to help us to tame them a little. What kind do you think we ought to buy? I've seen ewe feeds, coarse mixes, all with the protein content of 15% and upward. Anyone have a suggestion for a specific "Heygates sheep coarse mix" or something I can ask the local feed merchant for? With thanks!

[Buttermilk]

I feed grass nuts

[Hellybee]

Grass nuts, or coarse mix or some creep.   

[Womble]

What are grass nuts? 

[landroverroy]

 As you're wanting to hand feed - get something that's pelleted - it's easier and there's less waste. It doesn't matter what you get - just get the cheapest stock nuts or sugar beet pellets.

[Buttermilk]

http://www.northerncropdriers.co.uk/products/graze-on-grass-pellet

Years ago when visiting the MMB bull unit at Whenby we got told grass nuts were the only feed other than grass and hay they fed to any of their Bulls.

[Womble]

Thanks Buttermilk. I'd honestly never heard of grass nuts. What do they have that hay doesn't then?

[kellybee]

As in... The same grass nuts I use for my horse? We use the ones from Northern Crop Driers. I've got loads of those if that's what you mean?

Thanks for this, much appreciated.

And grass nuts are just freeze dried pelleted grass - it's the only thing that seems to keep weight on my horse. Are they ok to feed dry?

[Buttermilk]

Less lignin.  The grass is cut 4/5 times a year and quickly dried and pelleted so they are made from younger grass than hay and do not lose as many nutrients with the shorter drying time.

[Hellybee]

Just watch that they don't get any feeds with copper in them 

[Buttermilk]

I feed them dry to the sheep.

[devonlady]

Digestive biscuits!! They will soon love you!

[Talana]

I would give small amount Lower protein ewe nut 15 /16 %  just to get them used to eating them ( they also contain correct vitamins and minerals so will do them some good as still growing)  Next winter when in lamb they need the ewe nuts building up to 18% starting 6 - 8 weeks before lambing and early stages of lactation -til plenty spring grass.
There are lots of other options for titbits as others have said -
Oats, chopped carrots swedes, sugar beet pellets or even soak it first so you know the right amount. Only small quantitys of grass nuts as too much can cause bloat. Enjoy your sheep

[Marches Farmer]

I recommend a copy of the Sheep Book for Smallholders by Tim Tyne.  What were the Southdowns crossed with?  Our crosses are as docile as their sire.  Are the sheep in the same field as equines?  If so, bullying could be taking place when you're not around to see it and would make the sheep on edge.

[kellybee]

The book is on order, we bought it online a week ago. They will be on rotation in summer but for now they have half an acre for over winter.... never in with the ponies - not worth the risk when we have the space and paddocks to keep them apart, and an unpredictable pony who is aggressive with the others at feed times. I'm not sure what the cross is but mum was a registered Southdown and dad is a Southdown cross - il ask tomorrow. Thanks again