derbyshiredowser
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water for sheepDaft question I know but how much water do sheep need daily?. The reason I ask is that a tenant has just taken on some local land around 5 acres, he has Ilegally diverted a footpath and put up 700 mtrs of sheep fencing. Every few days he appears with more sheep and lambs. At the present time there are approx 50 sheep and lambs, there is a disconnected water supply to a cattle trough that has always been dry and he has put down 4x 2ft diameter plastic bowls around the land. I know for a fact that ther is no other source of water on the land. The question is even if he fills up these shallow bowls daily is that sufficient for this growing number of sheep. I am most concered with the sheeps welfare as there appears to be quite a number of severly lame sheep and the lambs seem to be excessivly mucky around the tails. The guy with the sheep is a local plant hire man and I think he is just out for a quick buck.
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Rob R
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Most of the time sheep will get all of their water needs from the grazing. Only when it is really hot or the feed is dry do they drink anything, so it depends on the weather & state of the grazing wether that is sufficient. If they are allowed to get completely empty between him checking them then you'll know it isn't enough.
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derbyshiredowser
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Thanks I had wondered that, is the lameness usual
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RichardW
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We have 50 ewes & followers in the field next to use. We supply the water via a tank. Over the last 3 weeks they have drank 500L but the field does have a high water table as well.
Richard
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Rob R
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Sorry, missed the lameness bit  It is usual, yes, but it should be treated if severe/prolonged, as too should the mucky lambs. It may be that they are bad from being moved onto lush grass, or it could be a sign of overstocking/excessive worm burden. The main problem at this time of year is that it will attract blowflies so if you see any constantly biting at their fleece/back end and/or furiously wagging their tales as if irriated (particularly if they are not grazing with the rest of the flock) it is a sure sign that they are struck, should be caught & treated immediately or they can quickly die in wet/warm weather.
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derbyshiredowser
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I would think if he does fill them daily he would use a similar amount 500 ltrs, coincidently the water table is very high on this land.I'll keep a look out for any unusual behaviour and see how the lame ones get on
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Mary-Jane
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We have a large trug in the main paddock which we fill every day. They need it.
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Rob R
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| Mary-Jane wrote: | | We have a large trug in the main paddock which we fill every day. They need it. |
I thought Wales was wet  Ours hardly drink, have to change the water more often to keep it clean, than to fill it up 
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colour it green
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we leave have containers of water for our sheep, and are careful to make sure they are always full.
only ever see sheep drinking from them if they are feeding lambs.
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