As I mentioned in previous articles, I synchronised the flock to compact the lambing into a two week period. This was a management decision to allow me to retain the flock of sheep and manage a very busy off farm job.

I have synchronised the flock in the past to lamb at Christmas and this was never an issue because ewes weren’t naturally cycling when mated. The worry this time round was that I was synchronising a flock that was naturally at peak cycling period (November) and this has been known to give excessive lamb number with combed with sponging, this could lead to frightening high numbers of triplets and quads.

I decided to scan at 1.4 lambs per ewe than 2.4. Thankfully scanning was completed on Thursday night in true part-time farming fashion under lights and with the snow coming down thick and heavy. The ewes scanned 1.82 excluding the empties.

It was a very pleasing scan with a balance between singles, doubles and triplets with one Belcare ewe scanned with four. There should be a great opportunity to cross foster the triplets onto singles because of the very compact lambing.

I now need to divide the ewes into groups to feed accordingly. I am tight on shed space so I’m going to try and stick to two groups, it’s not ideal but it’s practical. The doubles and singles will remain together and the triplets will be fed separately. The triplets will start to be fed this week at a low rate of a simple mix of rolled barley and whole oats. Protein won’t be introduced until three weeks out from lambing. Even though it’s only a small flock it holds its own in the profit stakes and maximises every acre of ground on the farm, so I like to maximise it’s out-put.

On the main side of the farm, the cattle were through the crush for the second lice treatment of the winter. It was the same spray on treatment of Tacktic as I used earlier in the winter and should see them treated until turnout.

I intend to dung sample both cattle and sheep this week to finalise the last parasite treatment before turnout. Once the herd test is complete on the 21 February, turnout will begin so time is running out for final dosing and weighing.