Currently twiddling my thumbs. Shed is ready, mucked out, pressure washed, pens are in, hay is in the racks. Bedding will go down tomorrow. All sheep will be moving round to different fields tomorrow. The sheep due to lamb are on my neighbours field, a bit far from the lambing shed so i hope nobody pops early. My calendar says four due Sunday. Cows are going in the top field away from pregnant ewes, not risking calves chasing the ewes. Was hoping not to use the top part of the field and just rest for hay making but needs must. Horses hammered it and theres still no grass really growing on it yet. The rotational grazing plan on the cows has been working well but its clear i didnt stock pile enough grass in the autumn.
The two horses were getting through a small bale of hay per day and have been all winter but this week they are leaving some. The field they are on has nothing really in it. They went on it mid jan and have cleared off all the rough rank grass the sheep didnt eat. There was more grass in it january than there is now. Those sweet shoots must be boosting them enough to not want to eat the hay. They did spend 3 afternoons up on the lawn as well over the weekend. The lawn is the only thing growing. But im surprised they are leaving hay on a bare looking field.
Mind i actually stood at a distance and counted four ribs on chunky yesterday. I dont mind if he doesnt eat hay as he is coughing badly again. Just put him back on cough mixture, so hope that helps. We desperately need rain to moisten the grass which helps him. My grass on the track isnt long enough to put them on yet. But im thinking it will be better than leaving him on the current field. Not sure what to do for the best.