Author Topic: Bringing ewes in ??? (Read 2213 times)

crobertson · « **on:** March 04, 2017, 09:57:21 pm »

How far advance do folks bring their ewes in before lambing ?

This is our first time lambing our own and I was thinking of bringing them in the week before they are due (they were sponged so I know exactly when they are due). A couple of books I have read recommend bringing in 2 weeks beforehand but I think ours would either go stir crazy or enjoy the easy feeding as several are looking quite heavily pregnant.

I'm not sure if this changes any decisions but the field is particularly wet and muddy this year, this week I've noticed 2 with shelly hoof (1 very lame, 1 not lame) so hoof wise they don't seem great this year whereas normally we have no problems (would bringing them in be more beneficial).

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2017, 12:22:09 am »

Quote from: crobertson on March 04, 2017, 09:57:21 pm

How far advance do folks bring their ewes in before lambing ?

This is our first time lambing our own and I was thinking of bringing them in the week before they are due (they were sponged so I know exactly when they are due). A couple of books I have read recommend bringing in 2 weeks beforehand but I think ours would either go stir crazy or enjoy the easy feeding as several are looking quite heavily pregnant.

I'm not sure if this changes any decisions but the field is particularly wet and muddy this year, this week I've noticed 2 with shelly hoof (1 very lame, 1 not lame) so hoof wise they don't seem great this year whereas normally we have no problems (would bringing them in be more beneficial).

I think a week before is respectable enough, like you say weather conditions are not too good, as are feet. Personally my opinion would be yes, bring them in. It would help prevent any early births or abortions or such due to the atrocious weather we have been having lately. However this is just my opinion.

bj_cardiff · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2017, 07:04:13 am »

If you have the space and conditions out are bad I'd bring them in now. My lambing shed has horses in at the moment so they need to go out so the sheep can come in, so I would want them in for around a week before lambing starts.

pharnorth · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2017, 10:06:05 am »

I agree a week before. Trouble is the sheep didn't and dropped one early last Sunday. The rest are still looking at me. The early one is good and strong but I had to lure the ewe through 3 gates back to the barn with the other ewes.

landroverroy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2017, 10:12:39 am »

It's not a lot of fun for sheep, especially heavily pregnant, outside in the cold and the wet.
Believe me - they will not go stir crazy! They will enjoy being able to relax inside on a nice dry bed instead of having to find somewhere to lie down that is out of the wind and not waterlogged.
Surprisingly, of my mixed bunch, the first ones to take advantage of being able to go inside are my Welsh Badger Faced and my Herdwick.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2017, 10:49:44 am »

Bring 'em in. Ours are due to start on Thursday. We brought them in last Thursday when they were dry, before a day of lashing rain all through Friday. One fourth-time lamber is lambing down as I type, so four days early.

crobertson · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2017, 10:52:06 am »

Thanks for that, I think I will bring them in next weekend (two weeks before lambing) they lambing shed is ready and we only have 6 to lamb so don't need huge amounts of space. They didn't seem to enjoy trudging across the muddy field to their feeder this morning, especially lugging their big bellies with them !