Author Topic: best way to dry off ewes? (Read 2694 times)

angusrr · « **on:** July 03, 2017, 06:39:47 pm »

I will be weaning the lambs in a weeks time. all pasture is good quality this year. what do people think is the best way to dry off ewes after weaning?

Fleecewife · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2017, 07:10:07 pm »

The best way, as in the least stressful all round, is to leave them with the dam until she weans them herself, usually done by 5 months. This still gives her time to regain her conformation before going to the tup again.

twizzel · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2017, 08:27:10 pm »

Mine are coming in for a few days on straw and a mineral bucket as we have no bare paddocks either. The lambs were born mid Feb-end of march and ewes going back to ram mid-end September.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2017, 09:48:25 am »

If on good pasture the lambs should be suckling very little now, anyway. I put my ewes on a small area of fairly rubbish grass for a day then let them out onto better grass.

angusrr · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2017, 12:00:41 pm »

thanks,
I have fenced off a shaded corner of a field where grass not so good. how long before I can let them back in together as I am keeping some of the ewe lambs?

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2017, 03:36:24 pm »

As long as possible, or the lambs may try to suckle their dams even if dry which will be painful! Our ewe lambs that are good enough to breed from don't rejoin the ewes until they're 18 months old and due to be tupped.

bj_cardiff · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2017, 08:05:53 am »

I rotate my fields so when its weaning time I graze the field a bit harder than usual, bring the ewes and lambs in, worm, crovect and treat any feet that need doing and put the ewes back out, lambs are kept separate on the best grazing I have for a few months.