[Jacob-list] feeding questions

[Patty Berke]

Oh, what stories you hear!!  We definitely have grass out here---not
everything is alfalfa!  At least in the NORTHwest, that is!  I tried orchard
grass a year ago, forking over lots more $$ to see if THAT would create
cleaner fleeces.  No...not a chance--it still has little pieces in it!  We
have been feeding in pans/trays on the ground to minimize waste and trailing
over backs--it DOES seem to improve things.  What I noticed this year was
that the lambs and smaller sheep got more grass in the fleeces.  Otherwise I
have been very happy with this---it's been progress!!  My biggest concern
now is whether we can cut way back on baled items of any kind because of the
waste.  Thanks for all the feedback and ideas and info---very helpful!
Patty

-----Original Message-----
From: jacob-list-admin at jacobsheep.com
[mailto:jacob-list-admin at jacobsheep.com]On Behalf Of Mary Ellen Hansson
Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2003 3:38 AM
To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Subject: RE: [Jacob-list] feeding questions


Patty,

Out in the West, you seem to have alfalfa pellets and your hay is always
alfalfa from what I hear.  Out in the east, our hay is rarely alfalfa.
My sheep love orchard grass, which doesn't do too bad in the fleeces.
When we get some timothy in from the PA or OH areas, then we have
problems with timothy heads in the fleeces.

This past year, I have spent a royal fortune on hay and forage.  The
sheep feed people swear that sheep pellets are complete sheep feed and
there is no need for hay or other feeds provided---supposedly the
sheeplots use this feed without problems.  I have always used hay of
some sort.  This year, we used even bags of the horse hay and horse
alfalfa forages to cover us.

Mary Ellen Hansson
ISeeSpots Farm www.iseespots.com
Jacob Sheep, Fiber, Spinning equipment,
Books, Patterns, Knitting/Crochet/Tatting



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