The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: the two Bs on March 04, 2014, 09:12:25 pm

Title: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: the two Bs on March 04, 2014, 09:12:25 pm

Dear all,
I am sorry not to have introduced myself earlier - I guess I have been a bit shy. I have been a member for about 9 months. I unexpectedly acquired 2 lambs who I adore, a year ago. One is mostly Sussex and the other mostly Oxford. I took both as orphans likely to die and couldn't bear to give them back. However, it has been suggested that it would be better to have 3 so if something happened to one, they would have each other.

I now have the opportunity to get an orphan lamb, and bring it up, and this was my plan. However, today I had the unexpected chance of getting a  (farm bred) ewe, the same age as my pair. She has just had a very traumatic delivery of twins and I am told she will not be able to breed again, so will go for meat. I assisted in her delivery and it was very upsetting. I asked of I could have her instead of a lamb if she survives and was told yes. Lambs are very cute, but my aim is a long term companion for my sheep, so having a lamb is not critical from the "cute" point of view.

Which age do you think would settle in best with my other pair? My lambs (sheep)  are incredibly friendly to humans.  I would be so grateful to all of you with any ideas and experience about this as i can see advantages  in both age groups. I can't take more than one animal due to space. 

i also have a cat, who seems to be pretty indifferent to the sheep.
Many thanks indeed from a beginner...

Title: Re: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: MarvinH on March 04, 2014, 10:14:59 pm

If your happy not to breed from her, Id have the the (healthy?) ewe.

Title: Re: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 04, 2014, 11:57:20 pm

Me too - a sheep the same age and size as your existing pair will fit in with them much better.  I assume both the existing lambs are wethers, not entire tups?

Title: Re: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: Hillview Farm on March 05, 2014, 07:12:57 am

I agree with the above comments!

Title: Re: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: mowhaugh on March 05, 2014, 08:42:53 am

Hello! Agree with what the others have said.  Then, if you do want a lamb, you'll have to get three of those too!

Title: Re: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: the two Bs on March 07, 2014, 09:55:14 am

Wise advice,  you all made my life much easier!

 The ewe has recovered from the traumatic birth of her stillborn twins really well and moved in today. We think Snowdrop (her name now) must have been an orphan too as she was only too happy to eat food from my hand and is not frightened of humans, so that is a huge bonus. My little pair seem to be accepting her OK :fc: Thank you from all of us!  :sheep: :sheep: :sheep:

Title: Re: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: in the hills on March 07, 2014, 10:52:07 am

Lucky Snowdrop.  :sheep:

That story has made me smile.  :)

Title: Re: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: Q on March 07, 2014, 11:16:55 am

Good for ewe !  Nice to see a happy ending.

Title: Re: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: Bramblecot on March 07, 2014, 04:29:31 pm

Are the others Snowball  :sheep: and Snowflake :sheep: ? Now you just need Snowman :snowman: :thumbsup:

Title: Re: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: in the hills on March 07, 2014, 04:35:53 pm

But then there'd be lots of little snowberries  :o  ;D

Title: Re: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: Daisys Mum on March 07, 2014, 06:35:24 pm

Quote from: in the hills on March 07, 2014, 04:35:53 pm

But then there'd be lots of little snowberries  :o ;D

As long as there's no snowballs  :eyelashes:

Title: Re: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: in the hills on March 07, 2014, 07:10:27 pm

 :roflanim: :roflanim: :roflanim:

Title: Re: lamb or sheep to move in?
Post by: Bramblecot on March 08, 2014, 09:29:27 am

 :sunshine: ;D funny how it lightens your mood.