Lambing 2017

stantheman1979 · 13-02-2017 06:11PM

Everyone has their own opinion and what works best for them. Suffolk lambs are good when they get going but the Charolais are easier lambed and have more life in them. They're lighter boned and generally kill out better. Saying that I would keep a Suffolk over the Charolais every time when choosing replacements

charolais0153 · 13-02-2017 07:06PM

stantheman1979 wrote: »

Everyone has their own opinion and what works best for them. Suffolk lambs are good when they get going but the Charolais are easier lambed and have more life in them. They're lighter boned and generally kill out better. Saying that I would keep a Suffolk over the Charolais every time when choosing replacements

Ya meant to add that its a lot easier manage Suffolk with one twenty ewes rather than 600

Willfarman · 13-02-2017 09:36PM

Here in north Wexford it was always Suffolk country. When I was a chap enniscorthy sheep mart was going strong and it was very unusual to Se any lamb without a jet black head.
But dear god the hardship my mother and father used to get at lambing with every other ewe needing assistance and every other lamb needing bottling or tubing.
Once ya get rid of the black you'd never go back!!!

Username John · 13-02-2017 09:59PM

Willfarman wrote: »

Here in north Wexford it was always Suffolk country. When I was a chap enniscorthy sheep mart was going strong and it was very unusual to Se any lamb without a jet black head.
But dear god the hardship my mother and father used to get at lambing with every other ewe needing assistance and every other lamb needing bottling or tubing.
Once ya get rid of the black you'd never go back!!!

We used to have Suffolk ewes and a Suffolk ram... lot of help needed at lambing...

Changed to a Hampshire ram, less help needed but still wasnt great...

Changed to Lleyn ram, no help at all needed...

We still had Suffolk ewes, as I like them. Good meaty, milky ewes, lovely to work with...

But, like Charolais said - we only ever had hobby numbers. So twas easy to manage em...

I know some lads are mad about the Hampshire, but I think on Suffolk he wasn't super. It all depends on what ewes you have too...

stantheman1979 · 14-02-2017 09:42AM

Walked into the yard this morning and was sure i heard a newborn lamb. Searched the ewe shed, no sign. Checked a shed where ive hoggets and dry ewes fattening. A charolais ewe lamb which was missing for weeks that turned up in my neighbours and he brought back over a few weeks ago. Never seen a ewe lamb lamb this early in my life. I had her marked to go to the factory on wednesday and all. Its more than likely a cheviot lamb she has which doesnt sit well with me but sure hes alive

Oldira · 16-02-2017 12:12PM

When is the best time to tail and castrate the lambs? Is it too soon a day or two after birth?

rangler1 · 16-02-2017 02:05PM

Oldira wrote: »

When is the best time to tail and castrate the lambs? Is it too soon a day or two after birth?

That's when we do it, put the rings on and tag them at 24 to 36 hrs old and let them out about two hours after

Green farmer · 16-02-2017 03:57PM

Last year I tailed then in the spot as they popped out. Worked well, they didn't even notice it.

Oldira · 16-02-2017 04:12PM

rangler1 wrote: »

That's when we do it, put the rings on and tag them at 24 to 36 hrs old and let them out about two hours after

Are you expected to tag new born lambs? I thought it was only when leaving the holding?

ganmo · 16-02-2017 07:18PM

Oldira wrote: »

Are you expected to tag new born lambs? I thought it was only when leaving the holding?

Leaving the holding or the middle of December. rangler records performance etc so needs to identify the lambs

stantheman1979 · 16-02-2017 07:44PM

rangler1 wrote: »

That's when we do it, put the rings on and tag them at 24 to 36 hrs old and let them out about two hours after

+1 Same as ourselves. Lambs get tailed, castrated, tagged,number sprayed, marked, replacement ewe lambs get ear notched also.

MayoAreMagic · 17-02-2017 11:55AM

I find the earlier the better with the tail rings - shortly after birth and they don't even notice. Furthermore, you get a quicker removal when the wool is wet as it parts like hair and the ring gets down onto the skin.

You have to be careful with the vector though. If you put it on them too young they can stagger for a few hours. They appear drunk and maybe a bit depressed (like myself on a Sunday morning)

mcgiggles · 17-02-2017 11:58AM

In peoples experience do triplets go earlier than singles or doubles tipped around the same time? Have a trip that isn't due until March but have a feeling she will go before end of Feb..

arctictree · 23-02-2017 11:06AM

First lambs this morning. Brought them all in yesterday cause of the forecast. Most that could go wrong with this ewe did! Prolapsed a couple of weeks ago and lambs (2) were stuck in her this morning. Just the tail sticking out. She's also a bit lame so not standing very well. Anyway nice pair of live ewe lambs!

Username John · 23-02-2017 12:57PM

arctictree wrote: »

First lambs this morning. Brought them all in yesterday cause of the forecast. Most that could go wrong with this ewe did! Prolapsed a couple of weeks ago and lambs (2) were stuck in her this morning. Just the tail sticking out. She's also a bit lame so not standing very well. Anyway nice pair of live ewe lambs!

Dont keep em

Good to hear it all finished up well though.

Dickie10 · 24-02-2017 02:10PM

only 12 ewes left to lamb, the first started 16 days ago. cant believe how quickly they went through them. at the moment i have 98 lambs from 56 ewes, i lost 8 lambs which is a bit annoying, i could have saved 4 of them maybe. hows mortaltiy rate going with people?

charolais0153 · 24-02-2017 05:10PM

Dickie10 wrote: »

only 12 ewes left to lamb, the first started 16 days ago. cant believe how quickly they went through them. at the moment i have 98 lambs from 56 ewes, i lost 8 lambs which is a bit annoying, i could have saved 4 of them maybe. hows mortaltiy rate going with people?

Had a small bit of abortion at the start and lost ten. Lost a lamb really annoyingly cos we went in for the dinner a small bit early and nothing was sick and after a while went out and a couple was after having a lamb but was dead from a scum around its mouth. Lost two lambs during Doris when one was taken and another died. A bit annoying but bound to happen. 108 lambs from 62-63 ewes.

Oldira · 24-02-2017 05:23PM

charolais0153 wrote: »

Had a small bit of abortion at the start and lost ten. Lost a lamb really annoyingly cos we went in for the dinner a small bit early and nothing was sick and after a while went out and a couple was after having a lamb but was dead from a scum around its mouth. Lost two lambs during Doris when one was taken and another died. A bit annoying but bound to happen. 108 lambs from 62-63 ewes.

Whats are you supposed to do with dead or still born lambs? Surely not pat a tenner to the knackery for each one? Are you allowed to bury etc on your own land?

charolais0153 · 24-02-2017 06:12PM

Oldira wrote: »

Whats are you supposed to do with dead or still born lambs? Surely not pat a tenner to the knackery for each one? Are you allowed to bury etc on your own land?

When the knackery lorry comes you'd fire them up,

J.O. Farmer · 24-02-2017 07:50PM

Oldira wrote: »

Whats are you supposed to do with dead or still born lambs? Surely not pat a tenner to the knackery for each one? Are you allowed to bury etc on your own land?

It might be a solution to the fox problem some people have. If Mr. Fox is gets an easy meal he won't bother trying to hunt down a live lamb.

Dickie10 · 24-02-2017 11:39PM

i bury them in my own bog

Username John · 24-02-2017 11:50PM

Dickie10 wrote: »

i bury them in my own bog

I think that's not right Dickie... you might want to remove that post...

jd06 · 25-02-2017 10:50AM

Username John wrote: »

I think that's not right Dickie... you might want to remove that post...

Just wondering if we are in the sheep scheme do we have to account for every lamb lost

J.O. Farmer · 25-02-2017 11:13AM

jd06 wrote: »

Just wondering if we are in the sheep scheme do we have to account for every lamb lost

Can't see that. The scanner could be wrong, you could be lambing out and a fox get the lamb before you do, the lamb could be stillborn outside and you might not find the lamb before wildlife bring it away.
Even if you have the lamb but it's stillborn or dies at 2 days old would you have to tag for the knackery at that stage paperwork is involved and the knackery will impose an administration fee if you only had baby lambs for them and you'd probably have to deliver them in which case it would be easier not to find the lamb and blame the scanner.

rangler1 · 26-02-2017 08:50AM

First proper lambs this morning......horrendous weather for it, hope it improves

Ard_MC · 26-02-2017 09:19AM

rangler1 wrote: »

First proper lambs this morning......horrendous weather for it, hope it improves

Rain woke me here at 5 am here...wont have any for another month. Best of luck with it and enjoy.

arctictree · 26-02-2017 10:16AM

Twins here this morning but ewe only has one spin. They seem to be healthy and sucking when they get a chance. Would ye lads take a lamb away now or leave it for a few days?

Ard_MC · 26-02-2017 10:23AM

arctictree wrote: »

Twins here this morning but ewe only has one spin. They seem to be healthy and sucking when they get a chance. Would ye lads take a lamb away now or leave it for a few days?

Id feed her plenty for a few days and maybe give them a bottle as well. And foster him on to something when you get a chance.

sheepfarmer92 · 26-02-2017 11:01AM

Willfarman · 26-02-2017 11:06AM

arctictree wrote: »

Twins here this morning but ewe only has one spin. They seem to be healthy and sucking when they get a chance. Would ye lads take a lamb away now or leave it for a few days?

I'd leave it a few days if they both look ok.

Lambing 2017

Comments