Author Topic: Creep feeder (Read 3241 times)

Daisys Mum · « **on:** April 11, 2017, 07:59:34 am »

Having spent a few days puzzling over how to give creep feed to my lambs I have come up with the idea of turning a ring feeder upside down, off now to try it. If anyone has any better ideas please tell me. Having lambed a month earlier this year my grass isn't as far on as I would have liked and as this is going to be my last lambing I don't want to buy a new creep feeder.

Buttermilk · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2017, 08:55:51 am »

The ewes will put their heads in and try to reach the creep, so unless the feeder is fastened to the ground they will push it until they reach the food. You will also need to cover the creep feed to protect it from the weather and birds.

I have a hurdle pen with a some lamb rails on one side. The first year the rails were home made with slats of wood but I bought a purpose made one last year. It is tied to the fence so the ewes cannot push it around and is under cover to protect from the elements.

Daisys Mum · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2017, 09:05:05 am »

Quote from: Buttermilk on April 11, 2017, 08:55:51 am

The ewes will put their heads in and try to reach the creep, so unless the feeder is fastened to the ground they will push it until they reach the food. You will also need to cover the creep feed to protect it from the weather and birds

I will tie it to a fence and I have a cover which fits over the top, if it doesn't work I'll try a hurdle pen!

Old Shep · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2017, 04:01:16 pm »

How old are the lambs? You may be better giving concentrates to the ewes so the lambs get better milk if they are younger than 6-8 weeks old.

landroverroy · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2017, 04:38:37 pm »

Quote from: Old Shep on April 11, 2017, 04:01:16 pm

How old are the lambs? You may be better giving concentrates to the ewes so the lambs get better milk if they are younger than 6-8 weeks old.

Afraid I must disagree with that.
If the lambs are old enough to eat creep feed, which presumably they are, then it is far more efficient to give them the creep feed direct than to have it converted by a ewe into milk.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2017, 04:44:04 pm »

Might this depend on the individual system? I never feed creep - both breeds are native and will be weaned at around 16 weeks. Breeding quality will go onto good grazing, the rest to market as stores. Grass quality is good enough to finish freezer lambs by November.

Daisys Mum · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2017, 05:58:23 pm »

Quote from: Old Shep on April 11, 2017, 04:01:16 pm

How old are the lambs? You may be better giving concentrates to the ewes so the lambs get better milk if they are younger than 6-8 weeks old.

Lambs are just 11 days old, they are Zwartbles and big strong lambs that are already picking at the feed that the ewes get so I just thought it would be a good idea to get them onto their own food. Grass is growing pretty well but worried that this cold snap may slow things down.

farmershort · « **Reply #7 on:** April 11, 2017, 06:38:15 pm »

Can I ask why you're creep feeding at all? A 100% grass fed product sells and tastes better.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #8 on:** April 11, 2017, 08:59:54 pm »

Quote from: farmershort on April 11, 2017, 06:38:15 pm

Can I ask why you're creep feeding at all? A 100% grass fed product sells and tastes better.

The OP opened with

Quote from: Daisys Mum on April 11, 2017, 07:59:34 am

Having lambed a month earlier this year my grass isn't as far on as I would have liked

mowhaugh · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2017, 09:13:15 pm »

I've often used half a ring feeder tied against a fence, works grand.

Daisys Mum · « **Reply #10 on:** April 14, 2017, 08:44:37 am »

It's working really well, lambs not terribly interested in it yet but a few are going in and having a nibble, they seem to like mums course mix better.