Practice when buying in store lambs.

farming93

We re buying in some store lambs soon for some silage aftergrass. What are the best practices for managing store lambs that people here have came across? I was hoping to buy decent quality lambs between 30-38kg (price dependant) when we get them home worm dose them and mineral dose them. Can anyone recommend a good mineral dose for store lambs? Also would it be wise to feed some barley everyday if it could be picked up cheap enough?
Thanks

greysides

Consider vaccinating for Pasteurellosis.

Farrell

greysides wrote: »

Consider vaccinating for Pasteurellosis.

Emm, what's that?

greysides

The P part of Heptavac-P, if that explains it. Otherwise it is protection against a form of pneumonia in sheep that can be rapidly fatal.

If they live long enough it'll look like pneumonia but they can die quicker as it also can be a septicaemia.

Store lambs in Autumn are prone to it.

Farrell

Thanks, always wary of buying wealings in autumn for pneumonia, so makes sense. One handling when dosing too.
OP I'd give head start (Osmonds) to stores, as you'll be holding onto till spring.

farming93

Thanks lads. Would either of you have any idea on feeding Barley to the lambs?

Green farmer

Have a good few of this years lambs that I want to move on as their eating into grass that should be set aside for the ewes winter grazing. Their about 40kg +. Was thinking of introducing some meal to get them over the line. What would be the best and or most cost efficient meal to give them. Priced a maize finisher ration at € 7-40 a bag in local merchants today.

Username John

Green farmer wrote: »

Have a good few of this years lambs that I want to move on as their eating into grass that should be set aside for the ewes winter grazing. Their about 40kg +. Was thinking of introducing some meal to get them over the line. What would be the best and or most cost efficient meal to give them. Priced a maize finisher ration at € 7-40 a bag in local merchants today.

Would rolled barley be almost as good, but a bit cheaper? Its high in energy which is what is needed for fattening (I think)
The downside is the risk of acidosis, but feeding with grass I think should reduce this. I don't know what level you could increase the feed to...

Will you be feeding in troughs? (not a creep feeder?)

Green farmer

Thanks John,

I priced the rolled barley as well, came in at €6 a bag, in merchants, but i see a few ads on dd for guys selling it cheaper by going direct, if I could find someone located too far away.They'll be supplemented out in field alright with troughs. ( blue barrels cut in half )

Connemara Farmer

Ye're doing well, bought two bags of intensive lamb creep or some such today in local merchants, €9.50 a bag! Only getting the two to reintroduce lambs to ration before selling Saturday. They'd have already got a taste of it at lambing.

Green farmer

Ooch Con, that ain't cheap.

Connemara Farmer

Green farmer wrote: »

Ooch Con, that ain't cheap.

No, and the other nut was the same price. Anyway, that's off topic

Green farmer

Bought a few bags of hi maize finisher this morning. Their nibbling at it now so hope it'll do the job

Username John

Green farmer wrote: »

Bought a few bags of hi maize finisher this morning. Their nibbling at it now so hope it'll do the job

Let us know how they do...

I was thinking last night, 7.40 is all right. I think lamb ration are around the €9 mark down by us as well...

If you don't mind me asking, how much are you planning on giving them?

Green farmer

This is the first time they've got it so was started out with .2kg per head today, just after checking troughs an hour later and they only half finished it. Give it a day or two and they'll be leaving nothing behind. They still have grass so its just a supplement to keep them moving. ill increase it if needs be. aiming for late 40's weight wise to avoid getting hammered in ring.

I also priced 18% ewe and lamb nuts when there, came in a 6.70 a bag. I though that was good value. I remember paying 7.80 a bag for that a year ago.