sheep housing

Thomas Drennan

In a recent post a person suggested putting woodchip under straw that the bed will stay dry longer ,but I was told before to avoid wood chip as it would lodge in their hoofs any advice and don't suggest that you only use 2" chip as no wood chip will come an exact size , and next is a shed size 32x22 large enough for 25 ewes .

AntrimGlens

Thomas Drennan wrote: »

In a recent post a person suggested putting woodchip under straw that the bed will stay dry longer ,but I was told before to avoid wood chip as it would lodge in their hoofs any advice and don't suggest that you only use 2" chip as no wood chip will come an exact size , and next is a shed size 32x22 large enough for 25 ewes .

I've used woodchip regularly for the past few years for bedding ewes at housing, as you say it's not all an exact size. This chip would be recycled doors, window frames, pallets, formica and that type of stuff mixed with processed timber such as scaffolding planks but wouldn't contain any shredded trees or that type of timber.

It would be a max of 2 inch and there has been the odd occasion when i had to catch a ewe to pull a bit from between her cleats. I've never had any stab through the cleat up into the foot or through the sole and never gone lame from being on it.

I'd be hesitant to put it under straw as once the straw gets wet and dirty it becomes quite matted and not much urine will soak on through to the chip. If the ewes are on a deep bed of woodchip they will paw the ground before they go to lie down to make a hollow for themselves and this causes the chip to be constantly turned over and prevent any matting or caking of the top layer. If the shed is open sided and rain gets in just turn the chip with the linkbox or by hand and you'll have fresh stuff underneath.

I only bed the sheds here with one or the other, straw or chip; never the combination of the two.

gazahayes

Was talking to a man at a stand at the tullamore show about using peat for bedding ewes. was thinking of using it this year have a neighbour who hoovers peat off the bog so should be good soakage in it anyone every use it or heard of anyone using it?

Thomas Drennan

Well if you don't replace the chips does their not be an overpowering stench after a while and will the ewes not get very dirty do you think a 2 span hayshed 33x22 would be big enough to winter 25 ewes and would their be a time limit on the length of time I could keep them in

AntrimGlens

Thomas Drennan wrote: »

Well if you don't replace the chips does their not be an overpowering stench after a while and will the ewes not get very dirty do you think a 2 span hayshed 33x22 would be big enough to winter 25 ewes and would their be a time limit on the length of time I could keep them in

Ewes are only on the chip for max of six weeks and then it's piled up for couple years to decompose before spreading as it needs time to rot down. Can't say I've ever noticed a smell off it. Ewes would be as clean as the ewes on the straw but then I bed them in about 18 inches of chip.
I'd say your shed would be okay size wise as long as you bed them regularly and if they're fed dry fodder.

Thomas Drennan

You say put down 18" of chip to house for 6 weeks at max at which time the chip is removed and you finish by saying bed them regularly so I'm a bit confused am I to top up the chip with fresh chip , and finally is hay sufficient up until I introduced meal 5 to 6 weeks before lambing

AntrimGlens

Just noticed that was a bit confusing, i was meaning bed regularly if using straw. I reckon the hay should be sufficient enough as long as its decent enough quality. Also depends on what the ewes are carrying, litter size wise. Singles should be fine, but multiples might need a bit more attention, you could either feed meal earlier or throw an energy bucket in with them, but you'll find they'll eat them like sweeties.

AnFeirmeoir

I would say 2 bays for 25 ewes would be ver comfertable for them. You could fit as much again in there.

Thomas Drennan

Thanks for the advice would I be better to leave ewes scanned with a single lamb out as I won't need to feed them meal prior to lambing would you go along with the advice I got about using woodchip because it seems a good idea for soakage and it cuts down on alot of bedding

MayoAreMagic

I think dry sand is a better bet than woodchips. The chips stick in their fleece and I dont think it lasts as long as other beddings. Ive read that chips actually take minerals out of the ground when it is spread, while obviously sand is good for the ground.

ganmo

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

I think dry sand is a better bet than woodchips. The chips stick in their fleece and I dont think it lasts as long as other beddings. Ive read that chips actually take minerals out of the ground when it is spread, while obviously sand is good for the ground.

I think teagasc found that out after they did all that work on standoff pads for cows

case5130

AntrimGlens wrote: »

Just noticed that was a bit confusing, i was meaning bed regularly if using straw. I reckon the hay should be sufficient enough as long as its decent enough quality. Also depends on what the ewes are carrying, litter size wise. Singles should be fine, but multiples might need a bit more attention, you could either feed meal earlier or throw an energy bucket in with them, but you'll find they'll eat them like sweeties.

Just wondering how regular would you be bedding the straw ... Have seen it get very matted here over the years