8 Days Left

Although it's a matter of weeks now before this picture of summer pasture becomes reality, winter just won't let go yet.

 

So far today we've had drizzle, hail and high winds. Tomorrow the high will be 52 according to the weather forecast.

 

We can hope.

 

In the meanwhile, the girls are all doing well, and enjoying their grain rations with great relish.

 

Evening rations

 

At this time the girls are getting 20 pounds of grain daily.  The only time the sheep get grain is during the last four weeks of gestation and the first four weeks of lactation. I start by feeding a half pound per ewe per day for the first week and increase the amount by a 1/2 lb each week until the ration is 2 pounds a day per ewe. This provides them with the extra nutrition they need, since their ability to take in enough nutrition from hay and grass is compromised due to the space the lambs are taking up.

I like to mix my own rations, for no particular reason aside from enjoying it, and so they get whole corn, whole oats, soybean meal and loose minerals.  Plenty of water, unlimited access to second cut hay and whatever grass they can find at this point.  Healthy lambs start with sound nutrition for the dam, as does ample milk supply and rapid recovery.

My experience has been that once the lambs are born and the dam is nursing them, its as if their resistance to parasites is lowered and I find symptoms of Hoemoncus Contortus, ( Barber Pole ) worm within a short time frame from lambing. Once wormed, that seems to put the problem of parasites to rest and no further treatment is necessary.

Today will be a day for working on getting the lambing jug prepared. Cleaning out, rebedding and moving the two ewes closest to lambing are all on the agenda for the next week. Lambs will be here before we know it!

Regards,
Kathryn