Hi, I am new to this board and also new to lambing! I have 5 wiltshire horns, 3 of which have lambed so far and have 5 strapping lambs. I went on a practical lambing course last weekend and also had a knowledgeable sheep keeper come and help me yesterday with castrating and tail docking for the first time. Anyway, as is the way with these things, when I tried today to put on bands on my ewe lambs tails, I wasn't sure of the length, having done it so confidently yesterday with someone looking over my shoulder! I have made sure to cover their bits but the tails look quite long to me. Does this change as the lamb grows in size and can anyone give me some guidance as to where the band goes on? Any other tips?
I also have a question about my ram who was surplus to requirements from the person I hired him from and has therefore landed up living permanetly with my Dexters. I noticed today that his toes are very long to the extent that they look like talons and that one of the front ones has a split almost in the middle of it, horizontally. My concern is that if I trim back to the split his toes will be too short. Can anyone offer any advice? He isn't lame at all and came to us with quite long toes.
Anyway, I should be grateful for any advice. I must say that the past few weeks have meant a very steep learning curve and I am lambing by myself as my husband is away with work for the next 2 weeks. Thankfully all seems to have gone well, though it takes me back to being a new Mum and I find myself constantly worrying! The weight of responsibility seems huge.
Helen