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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/2/2011 6:18:35 AM
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| What are some ways of slimming down a ewe? Although Southdowns get fat off very little feed.
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/18/2012 11:24:16 AM
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You feed out straw (not hay) and then give free choice Baking Soda. The later they will go to if they have any stomach issues which helps them take care of themselves. Works wonderfully.
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/28/2012 8:09:03 PM
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| My Southdowns (Babydolls) are on grass pasture again this year and still overweight. I have cut down supplemental feedings to 1 cup twice daily. It's winter feeding (hay and supplemental feed) that seems to keep them fat to the pont of toxemia at lambing. I'm probably being a sap for thinking they need more calories in 0 degree weather...they do wear wool jackets after all!). Besides chasing them around to burn off fat and calories, what can I do to get them leaner?
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/18/2012 11:24:16 AM
Posts: 146,
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Are you sure it is the fat that is killing the lambs? Lambing Season is prone to lots of problems, and while I have lost my fair share of lambs, (100's), I cannot attest a single lamb death to a fat ewe. I'm wondering if the loss is due to something else?
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/28/2012 8:09:03 PM
Posts: 153,
Visits: 251
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| Well, gestational toxicity is all I can attribute it too. One ewe lambed twins (both dead) and then died herself. Another, I had to call the vet to deliver a LARGE lamb but that ewe recoverd in a couple days and is still alive and well. Is the problem the type of hay I'm feeding in winter (grass hay most of winter and 1st cut alphalfa towards March and April, when lambs were due)? What is the best winter/early spring hay for sheep? I find confusing answers.
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