The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Hayley 13 on April 19, 2021, 08:33:56 am
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Hello all,
I am having thoughts on keeping some lambs to fatten up. I have never kept sheep before. What do i need to know? I have a local shepherd that will sell me some but I need the information first.
Can i keep them on grass? Which wormers and vaccines will they need? How old are they when I buy them? Etc etc etc.
Help please
I keep pigs and chickens but like to try new things so lamb is my new thing this year.
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I started with 4 lambs last year, they was weand and on grass , all ready jab with heptavac, I wormed them with oramec, I gave a bit of creep to keep them tame , but they did very well on grass
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You only need to worm them if there are eggs in their poo- which you find on a faecal egg count. Don’t listen to farmers who religiously worm their lambs every 6 weeks- they most likely have wormer resistance.
Most of those questions the farmer will answer- vaccines etc. But make sure you get healthy lambs, that have had adequate colostrum, look healthy and happy. Your vet can answer most of the other questions regarding flock health, and how to look after them in terms of doing faecal egg counts, when to vaccinate (and they can show you how to do it as well).