East Essex Smallholders Chitchat

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	Our recent winters seem to be getting wetter year-on-year, rather than colder. Sheep can tolerate very low temperatures without any ill-effects, provided they have plenty of forage in the form of hay or haylage to keep them warm from the inside, but continuous rain and muddy fields really doesn’t suit them. Mud balls in their feet causing scald, and worse, their sodden fleeces give them a rather ragged appearance and they really don’t enjoy having to lie down in mud – who would? The best way to keep them happy at this time of year is to make sure they can keep warm inside with plenty of dry, good quality hay. This keeps the rumen bugs functioning so they can get the best from their hard feed as lambing approaches.It's nearing that time of year (if you haven't already started), so make sure you are completely prepared. Download our very useful 'Lambing Equipment List' to see if you have everything on hand that you may need. Our 'Breeding Flock' DVD will guide you through even the trickiest of lambing situations with advice from experts in sheep husbandry and management.
	...things to remember at lambing time Scrupulous hygiene: before, during and after lambing Dress all lamb navels as soon as possible after birth: dip cord and surrounding area in iodine, and repeat 4 hours later Keen observation saves many lives: spend time with your flock and watch closely for signs that may indicate a problem, eg a hungry, ‘tucked-up’ lamb may indicate mastitis in the ewe A 5kg lamb needs a litre or more of colostrum during its first 15 hours of life Make sure you get plenty of rest so you will be alert to spot any problems!
	There's plenty to do on your smallholding during February. Here are some top tips from our 'Things to Do' pages - available on our website. Give all ewes a booster vaccination against clostridial diseases and pasturella at between 4-6 weeks before they are due to lamb Chickens - check regularly for eggs, if left too long it may encourage egg pecking or eating – and once the habit is formed it’s very difficult to stop Your pigs will enjoy a daily ‘grooming’ session with a stiff brush; it will keep their skin in good condition and time spent with your pigs makes you more alert to the first signs that something is not right with their health Carry out a soil pH test in your vegetable garden to tell you how acid or alkaline your soil is so that you can rectify any problems before the growing season starts The shorter days reduce time available to ride and exercise our horses on ‘work days’, so make sure they get plenty of turn-out time as well as finding ways to keep them supple and exercised Keep up with all your smallholding tasks with our comprehensive guides to sheep,chickens, pigs ,the vegetable garden and equines. Just click on an image below.
	Article of the Month Lambing 3 - When the Shepherd Needs to Intervene and When to Call the Vet Moredun Health Bulletin Cryptosporidiosis in Cattle Green Farm Diary 8 weeks from lambing... NADIS Health Alert Liver fluke, sheep scab, and dystocia disease alerts Farming in the News Thieves target pregnant ewes... Recipe of the Month Parsnip & Maple Syrup CakeA great way to use up those parsnips!
	Comfort food and heart-warming stews to beat those chilly winter evenings. Roast Parsnip Soup with Cheese and Onion Croutons		Muffin-Topped Winter Beef Stew Chicken and Leek Pot Pie Lamb Tagine Squidgy Chocolate Pear Pudding
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