The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: sarahdean_66 on April 01, 2014, 09:26:27 am

Title: own a lamb scheme
Post by: sarahdean_66 on April 01, 2014, 09:26:27 am
I am thinking of starting an adopt a lamb scheme where people pay a set fee to adopt one and then a few Months later get the meat from their lamb at so much per kg minus what they have already paid. I think I will have more interest then lambs but what I am wondering is what to charge to start a d how much per kg. Does anybody already do this please? Thanks
Title: Re: own a lamb scheme
Post by: Bramblecot on April 01, 2014, 09:44:22 am
I good idea IMO  :thumbsup: . 
But when I suggested it to some of my customers they got very squeamish about knowing 'their' lamb.  They seem happy to visit the lambs in Spring, watch them in a flock all Summer, then allow the anonymity to kick in and buy their meat in November. 
Re prices.  I think you have to know what your market will stand.  There is so much excellent local meat available in this area that I cannot get the price  I would like (or feel it deserves).  So I settle for about £7 a kg when sold as a half lamb. 
It is the same with the sheep skins - I cannot compete with the company that sends all their skins to Poland for processing and then sells at the local show >:( .  If I just looked at the economics of it, I would certainly give up.
Title: Re: own a lamb scheme
Post by: sarahdean_66 on April 01, 2014, 09:59:32 am
I usually sell my meat for about £7 kg. For the few I've sent off I've the last couple of years. Thanks
Title: Re: own a lamb scheme
Post by: Q on April 01, 2014, 10:25:14 am
 :thumbsup: I like the idea.  I would adopt one of yours as you are within reasonable travelling distance to pick up the meat at the end.

Pm'd you
Title: Re: own a lamb scheme
Post by: sarahdean_66 on April 01, 2014, 11:16:07 am
Thanks :-)
Title: Re: own a lamb scheme
Post by: shygirl on April 01, 2014, 11:22:39 am
it did this with pigs, worked really well, just make sure you are making a profit and not under selling. probably easier with sheep than pigs profit-wise, though not as hands on.
Title: Re: own a lamb scheme
Post by: mowhaugh on April 01, 2014, 06:20:10 pm
I was also thinking about doing this with piglets, so would be interested to here more experiences.