How to weigh lambs

3 posts
Wed, 10/21/2015 - 10:45 #1

Member for

13 years 1 month
gregmortimer
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 09/23/2011 - 16:27

How to weigh lambs

Dear Farmstyle folk

I am wondering how to weigh my small mob of sheep, particularly the lambs. Can anyone recommend good cheap weighing equipment?

I looked at scales available in fishing tackle shops but they only weigh up to 30 kg or so.

cheers

Greg in Central Tablelands

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Sun, 10/25/2015 - 12:29 #2
charlie
Last seen: 12/26/2018 - 09:21
Joined: 05/31/2011 - 09:44

Hi Greg,

Thanks for the question and welcome to the forum.

The best system to weight lambs is using an electric indicator, weigh bar and platform/crate. This can be usually set up in a race with each lamb individually drafted into it. You can get an idea of what is required at the link below 
http://www.thunderbird.net.au/weighing.htm
 

The above system will set you back a decent amount of money, I have heard of people buying cheaper vet scales or weigh bars on e-bay and designing their own crate and platform. 
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-150KG-ELECTRONIC-DIGITAL-COMPUTING-PRICE-SCALE-WEIGHT-SHOP-POSTAL-INDUSTRIAL-/260978092429?pt=AU_Envelopes_Bags_Boxes&hash=item3cc381a98d

The other system that I have seen and used is utilising a set of bathroom scales. Tare off your own weight, pick the lamb up, record the weight, do this half a dozen times and average the result. It is a bit rough and ready but if you only have a few (they are not too heavy) to do and want a rough idea it will do the job.

 

Regards,

Charlie

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Sun, 10/25/2015 - 16:56 #3
gregmortimer
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 09/23/2011 - 16:27

Thanks Charlie

 

That is really helpful. I went to Orange Field Day on Friday and had a look at the commercial systems. They are very nice but quite expensive as you say.

 

Your suggestion makes me wonder if I might be able to construct a platform on top of a set of bathroom scales and install that in the race.

 

We only have 50 ewes but 75 lambs on average so a system which was a bit more "automated" would be handy.

 

I will follow up on th elinks you have suggested.

 

cheers

 

Greg M

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