[Jacob-list] Re: Down sheep...

[Linda]

I've found a Southern State protein block for sheep that seems to be working well.  I'd much rather have the 
nutritional tubs, but can't seem to get them around here (Clayton, Georgia area).  Sweetlyx does make a 100lb tub for 
sheep that seems to be similar to the Blue Seal tub, but it keeps being backordered.  The SS protein block is much 
softer than a salt/mineral block and even toothless Beulah manages to gum off a taste.

I've been feeding alfalfa pellets for about 10 years.  Our hay supply around here is so sporadic that I like having the 
alfalfa pellets as a supplement when the hay quality is low. The kind I get is small pellets, about the size of rabbit 
feed pellets.  As long as I mix it with some grain, I don't have any problem with them chocking on the pellets.  If I 
feed it alone, some will gag on it.  

Linda
http://www.PatchworkFibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep & Angora Rabbits
Handspun Yarns


On Tue, 18 Jan 2005 08:41:02 -0500, Christopher Brantley wrote:
>On mineral supplement salts, I've had an extremely hard time finding salts
>that do not contain copper in the Boone, NC area. The Tractor Supply Co in
>Hickory does carry a multitude of salt blocks... all with copper in them. I
>finally got a local feed supplier to order a goat/sheep block that has no
>extra copper and does have Se added. In addition, I had the Southern States
>folks order a couple of 50# bags of loose sheep salt which I've been adding a
>bit to the evening grain to make certain the Se is getting into their diet.
>
>
>
>The ag Ext Service folks here really like the loose salt concept. They explain
>that sheep tend, especially with age, to have rather fragile teeth (I asked if
>he wanted to stick his finger in Apache's mouth...he declined.) and by
>offering loose salt it reduces the risk of breaking teeth.
>
>
>
>I have found two people up here that have Alfalfa hay, they tend to sell it to
>horse folks who either have more money to spend than I do, or more likely are
>willing to spend more money on hay because their beasts costs a lot more. My
>feed store came to the rescue... they carry a palletized alfalfa product made
>mostly from alfalfa hay. The Jacobs love it, the goats are only getting it now
>as they're about to kid in the next few weeks.
>
>
>
>The sheep that are supplemented well and still failing to thrive for no
>apparent reason, have they been wormed recently, especially following a warm,
>moist summer.
>
>
>
>Now, we're finally back into winter at -6 this morning and the Jacobs are out
>playing and carrying on in the new snow. The goats are all huddled up in their
>shed shivering, with one beginning to dilate. Why do critters always pick the
>worst moment to birth?
>
>
>
>Regards,
>
>Christopher C. Brantley
>
>
>
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