First- Thanx to all who sent advice on my prolapsed ewe. After a mighty 2-day struggle with a uterus (how did I get here?), my ewe is looking good; eating and taking care of twins. We have since had 5 more ewes deliver beautifully. Second- I am so happy to have stumbled onto this site! What a wealth of info, and what cool farm names! It's great to hear from other people who know what it's like to have to schedule your shower around mucking out and stacking hay. Third- What is the secret to finishing market lambs for 4-H? Much of what we have been doing successfully on the farm all these years doesn't work for 4-H. I like many things about 4-H, but I don't understand the secrets to success, and the kids and parents who win aren't talking. Go figure. I'm not being a crazed show parent, I just want my kids' animals to conform a little better with the desired standards. I draw the line at anything extreme, like Ralgro, but I think we could use advice on a good ration. Thanx Again, Lisa

-- Lisa (vadas@nfdc.net), January 31, 2002

Answers

Response to sheep 7 4-H

Land O Lakes puts out a product called Pro-Show specifically for finishing Lambs for the showring. Other feed companys will likely have something similar. Be sure it is for lambs as the beef Pro-show may have too much copper sulphate for lambs. If you try to develop your own feed, the important feature is high protien, at least 16%. If you try to go cheap on feed, you won't get the results you need to compete. The commercial finishers are more expensive, but well worth it. Instructions on the tag or bag are usually the best plan for the novice.

As a 4-H project leader I find the secrecy attitude of the other members to be the antithesis of what 4-H is about. 4-H is supposed to be learning by doing. I would think this would include letting others know the details of your successful systems. When our kids find a system that works, they pass the information on to others and then try to improve on it in order to beat the others. It makes for more interesting competition that way.

-- David A. (mncscott@ak.net), January 31, 2002.

Response to sheep 7 4-H

Our "secret" (although alot of the kids do it, so not so secret!) was to feed NO hay whatsoever. We fed only alfalfa pellets and grain. This keeps their bellies down. Our daughter did very well last year with her lamb. 2 Reserve championships her first year!

-- Tracy (zebella@mindspring.com), January 31, 2002.

Had really good luck with my son's goats. He loved on them and hand fed them. We took them for walks. Don't forget the love factor in raising an animal. GL!

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), February 02, 2002.

And enterotoxemia shots of you are going to follow Tracy's advice. Find yourself a kid who has already graduated from High School, someone who one last year etc. Pay them to help you. How about following one of the winners to their feed store, and then saying "I want to purchase what so and so uses" :) That's why I prefer breeding stock shows, we want someone else to do well with our stock that they have purchased since it makes our brood stock more valuable. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), February 02, 2002.

yes, very true they do need the overeating shot......usually the herdsman will give them one for you before you take them home. At least here that is how it works :)

Walking is a big factor too like someone else mentioned. They need to be walked every day.

Tracy

-- Tracy (zebella@mindspring.com), February 07, 2002.