[Jacob-list] Hay woes

[Boxalls]

This is my whole point. I live in a much colder area than Jacobs come from, while some people live in a much warmer area than they are designed for. So, realistically we are raising animals in a place that's not really suitable. Therefore the things we have to do for them that are difficult, or expensive, or whatever are the choice we make for raising a non-native animal. In a way we're raising exotics. Jacobs certainly do cope in these extremes, which is why we choose them, but I don't think we should be surprised that it has its challenges. Does that make more sense?

Melanie

Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Linda 
  To: Boxalls ; jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
  Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 10:03 PM
  Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Hay woes


  HUH?  I shouldn't raise sheep because I need to buy hay? And because hay is a bit scarce this year I should quit?  

  A few years back I wrote an article for our regional newsletter about the adaptability of Jacobs.  I know of healthy flocks raised an acre or less. I know of healthy flocks left to fend for themselves with no human intervention for years.  Jacobs seem to adapt to all levels of management, which I think is an indication of just how primitive they are.  Adaptability, IMHO, is a primitive trait.

  Glad I'm not raising reptiles :-), although we sure have plenty of crickets here (I can send you some, if you'd like)

  Linda





   
  www.patchworkfibers.com
  Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn


  > Is it possible that realistically some areas just aren't suitable
  > for keeping sheep? And therefore if one chooses to raise sheep in
  > those unsuitable places, one is effectively keeping "an exotic" and
  > should therefore accept outrageous cost of feed? To give an
  > example, I keep tropical reptiles as pets, and I expect to have to
  > provide electric heat for them, and to have to purchase live
  > crickets at exhorbitant costs from pet stores. I do this out of
  > choice after all. When it comes to my sheep, I am obliged to
  > provide good shelter for them in Winter in the form of a well-
  > insulatted barn, and I have an electric heater to stop their water
  > from freezing. As we have snow on the ground from November to
  > April, making pastures unusable, I expect to have to buy in hay to
  > feed them during the Winter months. It would be much easier/cheaper
  > if I had 12 months of good pasture, but in order to do that I'd
  > have to move to Spain.
  >
  > But to answer your question, no I would not ration the hay. I make
  > it #1 priority, because no matter what it costs me, it's cheaper
  > than anything else available to me in Winter. I feed only hay, and
  > they make plenty of milk on it.
  >
  > Melanie
  >
  > Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus.
  >> ----- Original Message -----
  >> From: Linda
  >> To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
  >> Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 5:45 PM
  >> Subject: [Jacob-list] Hay woes
  >>
  >>
  >> It's that time of year again, when we all start to get nervous
  >> about hay.  My part of the SE has been in drought conditions for
  >> about 6 of the last 8 years.  Last year hay was impossible to
  >> find by February.  Usually we can just suck it up and buy hay at
  >> an exorbitant price at the feed stores, but this year it just
  >> wasn't there for any price.  We were fortunate to be able to get
  >> hay from a neighbor that had sold her horses.  The first cutting
  >> of hay this year was greatly reduced and some growers were
  >> worried about a second cutting.  We got some rain and the second
  >> cutting was good.  VERY expensive, but good.  I've good luck
  >> finding and using round bales for our sheep at the top of the
  >> hill.  I use alfalfa pellets every year to supplement the hay.  
  >> Neal Grose mentioned at AGM that pregnant ewes need energy most
  >> and that corn is a good substitute for some of the hay ration.
  >>
  >> Two questions:
  >>
  >> Does anyone limit the hay available to their sheep?  I was
  >> reading at: http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/articles/highhay.html
  >> and on another site whose name escapes me about limiting the hay.
  >> I've got some ewes now that are on grass hay only free choice and
  >> they are fat little pigs.
  >>
  >> What do you use to substitute for part of the hay ration if
  >> needed?
  >>
  >> Thanks
  >> Linda
  >>
  >>
  >> www.patchworkfibers.com
  >> Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn
  >>
  >>
  >> _______________________________________________
  >> Jacob-list mailing list, sponsored by Swallow Lane Farm &
  >> Fiberworks Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
  >> http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/jacob-list/attachments/20070810/59d56e75/attachment.html>