whilst lambing is firmly on the minds of most of us involved with sheep, has anybody had any experience of rearing early born lambs inside? quite like the idea of lambing a small number (only got 50 acres so not talking massive numbers fullstop!!) and keeping them indoors? only thinking about it as have got plenty of indoor space and yards and struggle for dry ground over the winter.

Would be interested to hear what anybodys thoughts are, i appreciate that there would be an increased cost level but would it really be that much? if out at grass, silage is fed in feeders, and both ewes and lambs are fed cake and blocks but surely if grass and ground conditions are less than favourable a fair percentage of this is used for maintaining body condition rather than maitaining milk production/increasing body weight, if indoors would the increase in milk/meat (possibly less concentrate usage?) outweigh the extra costs?

just a thought!!

be interested to see your opionions on the idea.

Ray.

 

We did XMas lambs for a few years but have just changed to spring only. Xmas lambs would be raised indoors in a large barn. Didn't really have any problems, fed the ewes hay and haylage which the lambs would eat as well, and they all had cake as well. Biggest problem dirt and disease, much better out if you can I'd say. We would always vaccinate and scabivac indoors asap because once anything starts to happen it travels quickly.

Kol has pretty well covered all the angles especially the muck and disease spread. If you can my thought would be to get them outside for the daylight hours if you can. There is nothing like a bit of sun on a lamb's back to give it a boost for early finishing.

 "the dirtiest field is cleaner than the cleaniest shed"

just a lot less disease..... but we lamb indoors no problem.... anything that  looks like its ready to pop comes in in preperation, the rest stay outside until they look ready or actually lamb. (of corse, sheep being sheep, the ones we bring in dont lamb soon, and the ones outside lamb quicker)

Lambs and ewes get chucked out after about a week or so, if that,  weather permiting.

I do agree with all those that have responded to your questions however it is still an option as you have plenty of shed space. I am in a very similar situation to yourself with not much spare land at this time of year and what we have is very wet.

We lamb from December onwards and can easily finish lambs inside. As yourself I have access to plenty of shed space.

The key is plenty of space and keep them dry. The lambs, and ewes for that matter will inevitably get dirty, or greasy in the absence of rain to wash it out. As far as disease is concerned, touch wood, we don't have any problems. Orf is kept at bay by allowing free access to rock salt and Life Line buckets. Lambs are offered adlib pellets from about 1 week old and they always do well. Unless you feed the ewes well they will lose quite alot of weight in a short time so you probably won't save any money on that side.

The big benefits for us are quick finishing lambs, no poaching the grass so we have a nice spring bite and we don't get ewes with sore teats like we would if they were out in mud, so don't get mastitis problems.

It can work!

John

rowdysheep:

The key is plenty of space and keep them dry. The lambs, and ewes for that matter will inevitably get dirty, or greasy in the absence of rain to wash it out. As far as disease is concerned, touch wood, we don't have any problems. Orf is kept at bay by allowing free access to rock salt and Life Line buckets. Lambs are offered adlib pellets from about 1 week old and they always do well. Unless you feed the ewes well they will lose quite alot of weight in a short time so you probably won't save any money on that side.

The big benefits for us are quick finishing lambs, no poaching the grass so we have a nice spring bite and we don't get ewes with sore teats like we would if they were out in mud, so don't get mastitis problems.

It can work!

Totally agree with all the above. If you have yard space which could be kept scraped and clean that will help with keeping bedded areas less mucky. Also it's worth giving lambs big creep areas, which can be kept clean, where they can feed alone. Coccidiosis can also be a problem so treat as soon as you see the first lamb with symptoms. Good Luck you should have lambs ready for the lucrative Easter market.

 

Thanks all, sheds have concrete yards attatched so sheep can wander in and out, coci has been tackled in the past through use of presciption mineral buckets and have been sucessful, never heard of rock salt for tackiling orf but anythings worth a try to try and keep the damn stuff at bay!! Will have to sell cattle in summer before can afford to go and buy flock but am getting more and more convinced to give it a crack for next winter.! watch this space...