The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Bionic on May 24, 2014, 01:58:26 pm
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I think a shepherds crook would help me to catch the lambs but I am struggling to find a nice one.
Most seems to be for walking purposes rather than being put to work.
Any suggestions?
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No idea where ours came from, but they are all made of steel, and do the job well.
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Most agri merchants will have a selection.
Here (http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mvf/store/category/crooks)'s Mole Valley's.
I think if you say "Shepherd's crook" you get the fancy sort that they use in the ring; if you ask for 'leg crook' or 'neck crook' you'll get the working type.
I use a short leg crook. It is the right size to catch lambs round the neck, or a ewe by the hock.
I find the long ones allow a ewe to be too far away from me, and she can create enough of a whiplash I (a) let her go and (b) nearly dislocate my elbow or shoulder!
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Not very traditional but I've got a couple of these
http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mvf/store/products/shepherds-crook-double-ended (http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mvf/store/products/shepherds-crook-double-ended)
work well for me
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I used to have a short wooden one that a colleague had chucked out because a bit had broken off... It was ideal for catching lambs and sheep indoors, where a long one would have been a hindrance rather than help. Also came in handy when I had a little accident and needed a walking stick to get around...
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My dad uses a single-ended combination crook (his is solid aluminium, not tubular, and blue). Like the one fourth from the left.
(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k70/jaykayg/36afeab107a99f798f5e8fcafca41ddd_zps11b0ce43.jpg)
Me, I just use a standard long neck crook (red, so I can find it where I've dropped it, or hurled it!). While the lambs are too small for it, I creep up on them at the trough and grab them with my hands ;)
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our farm shop sells them, get a metal one and it will last a long time.
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Don't get a tubular metal (aluminium?) one as they bend just when you need them not to. We also had a lightweight cheap wooden one which straightened out in the damp over a winter ::)
I like the sound of a short one.
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Don't get a tubular metal (aluminium?) one as they bend just when you need them not to. We also had a lightweight cheap wooden one which straightened out in the damp over a winter ::)
I like the sound of a short one.
I like the sound of a short one too. I will take a look at my local agri merchants and if not Mole Valley seems the place to go.
Thanks everyone :thumbsup:
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They had pink ones at the smallholders show last week!! I nearly bought one myself there (not the pink one!) .. but wasn't sure if they were a good deal or not.
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Thanks for info on length .... short one it is then I did wonder that too. Oh and Mole Valley much cheaper than show ones!