The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Couttsb on May 29, 2014, 02:51:24 pm

Title: Newbie!
Post by: Couttsb on May 29, 2014, 02:51:24 pm

After years of keeping hens and growing veg, it's only the arrival of 6 orphan lambs that makes me finally feel like a smallholder :-) And why didn't anyone tell me that when I thought I was going to have a Kate Humble/Lambing Live/Countryfile moment serenely feeding little lambs that it was actually going to be like feeding babies high on acid..........!  :excited: :sheep: :chook:

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: Melmarsh on May 29, 2014, 03:58:31 pm

Baptism of fire eh !! I started with 6 orphans, once you have learnt to hold three bottles in your hands and one between your legs you will be nearly there.!! If you have been advised, you probably have a 4 bottle holder or one of those fancy help yourself feeders for them. Good luck, enjoy and try too keep sane !!!! :roflanim:

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: plumseverywhere on May 29, 2014, 06:07:23 pm

Yep and that bottle that you attempt to firmly clasp between your legs results in bruises because the little toads aren't gentle at all!!
welcome  :wave:

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: kelly58 on May 29, 2014, 07:55:54 pm

Hi Enjoy !  :sheep: :sheep: :sheep: :love:

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: Couttsb on May 30, 2014, 02:03:54 pm

Whoa, I thought I was doing well holding 2 bottles, didn't even think about utilising my knees. Fortunately have recruited the children who think it's all rather fab! Can I ask how many weeks old your flock have been when you guys have tended to wean? Farmer they came from said they carry on bottle feeding for about 12 weeks. Thanks for your replies! :)

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: Backinwellies on May 30, 2014, 04:42:20 pm

12 weeks!! he must have a very cheap source of milk!    6 weeks is generally long enough as long as they are eating plenty of creep pellets.

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: plumseverywhere on May 30, 2014, 05:23:21 pm

About 6-8 weeks here depending on how well they took to creep/grass/weather etc!  Not sure if breed makes any difference but ours are all texel cross and big chunky things quite quickly.

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: Melmarsh on May 30, 2014, 10:46:54 pm

I have done 6-8 weeks but when I had a small herd of milking goats, if I had spare milk I would continue for longer. If you haven't pulled your hair out or the children got less interested then you will probably wean sooner rather than later. I hasten to add that after 6wks they were not having 4bottles a day though. Good luck and enjoy   :sunshine:

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 30, 2014, 10:56:51 pm

 :wave: welcome from Shropshire.

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: Treud na Mara on May 30, 2014, 11:20:56 pm

Welcome from Caithness and just look at it as good practice for next year when they may be your own pet lambs! :)

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: Couttsb on May 31, 2014, 06:01:42 pm

Thanks guys and gals :-)

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: benandjerry on June 03, 2014, 08:11:25 pm

Hello & Welcome :)

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: Littleyam on June 08, 2014, 05:17:14 am

Welcome - sounds like you have your hands full! Pics please.

Title: Re: Newbie!
Post by: Rosemary on June 08, 2014, 10:09:50 am

Hello and welcome from :sunshine: Carnoustie  :wave: