Starting feeding silage or hay to in lamb ewes

k mac

Have ewes and hoggets 7 weeks from lambing that i will be starting on meal next week, have them scanned so will meal feed accordingly and have chrstlx buckets with them. Problem is they are out and have only a tiny picking of grass so am wondering will they need more than the meal. I have poor quality silage i could feed them, but have heard before starting them on silage or hay now, could cause issues with prolapse, and its not advisable to change their diet at this stage.

kk.man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058282552/starting-feeding-silage-or-hay-to-in-lamb-ewes

IMO its ok to change their diet now however i wouldn't go with the poor quality silage, it can cause you loads of problems.

k mac

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120192131#Comment_120192131

thanks i thought as much with the silage, plus as i have small numbers there would be alot of waste with silage.

Kevhog1988

Hays a better bet. Less chance of listeria. I always feed hay or haylage.

Jimbo789

I have a group of hoggets separate from the older ewes. They have a lot of flesh on them, much more than the older ewes and I don’t want them to get too overweight leading to lambing difficulties or prolapse.

They are 7 weeks from lambing and have just run out of grass now. They will be lambing outside and just getting meal from 4 weeks before lambing.

I will be starting them on Crystalyx buckets now and either hay or silage. Which would be better for just maintaining them without them getting too fat?

Jonnyc135

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120205968#Comment_120205968

Maintenance would be my opinion over feeding them with good condition will lead to prolapses galore. Last week or 2 before lambing good meal of about +18% soya meal and they'll be fine.