Sheep

[horseshoes]

Does anyone have knowledge of farming sheep? There were some stray sheep in our country road a few weeks ago, and they were "herded" into the nearest field which happens to be next door to our house. I'm concerned about them, because although they seem to be eating whatever is growing in the fields, should they be getting fed other stuff? I haven't got a clue who they belong to, but I'm thinking I might visit the local farms and try to find their owner. I thought that whoever put them in the field might have known whose they were but as yet nobody has collected them. What do you think?

[boxtops]

Do the Police know? They should surely be ringing local farmers?

[paddywak]

I'm not an expert but I think they should be alright,after all sheep wander all over the moors etc and never seem to get anything other then what they forage. Also sheep are worth a bob or two so I'd imagine the owner knows where they are.

[boxtops]

I wonder if they belong to whoever owns the field they're in?

[2sp_]

Do you know who herded them into the field, or who owns it?

I wouldn't be concerned about them too much. Mine are fed on grass only all year (apart from the ewes at lambing).

[2sp_]

Oh, and we sometimes have neighbours' sheep and cattle wandering onto our land and vice versa. The animals usually stay a wee while until we're either gathering the whole lot in for some reason or shift them to new pastures.

[redman41]

Contact your local NFU (Farmers Union ) just in case they can help.
Contact Police as well as I'm sure some Farmer has reported them missing

[horseshoes]

Really, it's just the food aspect that was worrying me. There are approx 25 farms in the immediate vicinity (we are in rural North Wales after all). I think I'll pay a visit to the nearest few tomorrow and see if they have any ideas. Hey do have a nice turquoise mark on them, so I can rule out the ones marked with red!!! Thank you all. You've put my mind at rest.

[2sp_]

How many sheep and how big is the field (roughly)?

[horseshoes]

There are only 4 or 5 sheep. The field opens up onto another field and that in turn opens onto another field which is quite marshy (ducks nest there each year), so a least they have water. I suppose in total they have about 5 or 6 acres. When another farmer used to rent the fields for his cattle, he really used to look after them, but now one of the fields is full of that yellow stuff that's poisonous to horses. The second field is quite ok. I was just worried that they should have other stuff as well as what they can graze, as I'm I've seen the farmer up the road giving his sheep something else. I'll come back on here and let you know the outcome.

[2sp_]

The yellow stuff is ragwort, nasty for horses but sheep will eat the new growth at the top with no huge effect.

I'm sure they will be fine, but I do understand your concern. Hope you find the owner!

[horseshoes]

Well, 2sp, there's plenty of that for them at least. Thanks again:-)

[corylus]

We live a famous sheep infested area where the sheep come down from the moors in bad weather. Try your local councillors who may know who might claim these sheep. Good Luck!

[horseshoes]

Update on the sheep. There are 2 more today!

[sandyRoe]

breeding like rabbits? :-)

[EDDIE51]

Don't know much about sheep but I do know they are fine just eating grass.
Might not be a lot of fresh grass now but 7 sheep in that area will still have plenty.

[Big Jenny]

LOVE the Avatar, horseshoes.

BJ

[horseshoes]

Yes I feel a lot happier about them now. They certainly seem happy and healthy enough, I just thought I'd check on the food situation.

@ BigJenny thanks. Mick's the love of my life!

[sportsnut]

my wife has two horses on the field we own and lets a local farmer graze a
few sheep in the field to eat stuff like ragwort to stop it growing next year.

you say they have a coloured mark on their back that could be to show the ram has had his evil way with the ewes leaving that mark from the harness he wears to show the farmer he's been doing his stud job

[horseshoes]

That's interesting sportsnut, I thought it was just the farmer's way of identifying his flock.

[sportsnut]

it could be that you might be right horseshoes
it depends how big the coloured mark is and what position it is on the ewes back.
the dye from the pad held in position by the harness as well as showing which ewes the ram has visited can also highlight a new ram that just isn't up to the job and enable the farmer to put another ram in to finish the job off.
i'm from the north east and my old farmer friend always used to say
" set the tup (ram) away on bonfire night to start your lambing on april
fools day" though the timing of it will probably vary depending on where the farm is situated in the country and wether its low laying or a hill farm