The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Marketplace => Topic started by: Heyup on December 27, 2014, 04:01:25 pm
-
This ad is for an approximately seven-month-old Hebridean cross Welsh Black lamb. We acquired him as a companion animal for our small pet equine.
We were absolutely assured when we purchased him that he was a wether, but just recently he has been exhibiting behaviour- and seems to have the physical characteristics of - a rig.
We live next to a serious farmer, and I can’t possibly keep him just in case he escapes and mates with the ewes next door.
He is therefore free to the first person who is able to collect him. He would be good for the freezer or possibly as a lawnmower if you don’t have ewes nearby. He’s tame and comes to call.
We’ll be sorry to see him go but it’s the only responsible thing to do.
Please send a Private Message if you’re genuinely interested.
-
Why not advertise on preloved or farmers guardian, there are generally people who need a ram at this time of year.
Hope this helps
-
Hi waterbuffalofarmer,
Many thanks for your advice. I'd feel dishonest suggesting he's suitable ram material as I'm pretty sure his wethering was just highly unsuccessful.
He's, very unfortunately, what seems to be a typical 'rig' (testes present but unable to descend properly).
His behaviour has become much more tup-like just recently, and he's definitely eyeing up the girls - even bothering the equine he shares a field with.
I think ending up in someone's freezer is, however sadly, the likeliest option.
-
yea i suppose so, ah well i hope he tastes nice, I never keep any of my ram lambs back unless they're outstanding.
-
Not being funny Heyup, but why not your freezer? I know you bought him as a companion animal, but if that's not going to work out, why shouldn't you at least get the consolation prize?
-
Hi Womble,
Really good question and simple answer:
I'm from a farming background and can take a fairly unsentimental view of this situation. Not being a farmer, however, I'm not even sure who the local abbatoirs / licensed slaughtermen are in our area (Perthshire). The lamb was acquired as a 'pet' and I didn't foresee having to let him go, having had no reason to doubt he was a true wether until very recently.
My Better Half does not take so pragmatic an attitude and would be extremely upset about the lamb's demise and would certainly balk at the thought of eating him. I have no such squeamishness, but have to respect my O.H.'s feelings.
It is understood between us that the lamb needs to go - hence him being free to someone who'll simply take him away.
He's a well-grown wee thing and has been very well-looked-after and has had a totally natural diet, so I imagine he'd make someone a really good New Year roast.... It's just a pity our own freezer's not an option.
-
You could sell him through market as fat, at least you'll get something for all the effort.
-
Your local is probably Dunblane. You could probably take him there and sell or give the meat to family or acquaintance that would resolve the oh situation which I completely understand. Be another option if you don't get takers straight away. The behaviour part would be over anyway.
-
Hi ellied, and many thanks for the abbatoir info. Unfortunately I don't have my own transport :( . But if anyone reading this who does have transport wants to collect him and take him to Dunblane that's not a problem.
He remains free to someone prepared to collect him; please drop me a Private Message if you're interested - many thanks.
-
Hi Folks,
Really - no takers? Surely someone would like to collect him for their freezer (he's Blairgowrie based).
This lamb has got to go so if you can collect him send me a PM - he's well-grown and FREE.
-
Hello again folks,
This lamb is really causing me a problem now and I literally don't seem able to give him away!
Therefore would some kind person please come and collect him if I offer £20 to cover the cost of fuel from Blairgowrie to Dunblane (abbatoir)?
Please send a private message if you can help.
-
I can't believe that someone has not leapt at this offer!! If you were down this way I would have him like a shot.
Is there a farmer nearby? Explain your problem and ask for advice, they may take him or know someone who will (keep quiet about the 20 quid though) or they may take him to market for you, in which case it may cost you your £20. I'm only sorry I can't be of practical help. :fc: :fc:
-
Am sorry I live too far away, I really wish I knew someone who could help. :(
-
Too far for us to help aswell otherwise we could have taken him on
-
The only thing I can think is that people assume he will taste 'rammy', as he's clearly hormonal at the moment, and so would not want to slaughter and butcher him right now.
If you can't find someone with a trailer to take him to market, you may have to get the local fallen stock company to come and shoot him and take him away. Or your local hunt would probably do that for you. The hunt may be able to take him away alive, which would no doubt be preferable to your OH.
-
The only thing I can think is that people assume he will taste 'rammy'
No, he's just too far away, and I'm very busy at the moment - under any other circumstances, I'd be biting your hand off!!
-
The only thing I can think is that people assume he will taste 'rammy'
No, he's just too far away, and I'm very busy at the moment - under any other circumstances, I'd be biting your hand off!!
Same here.
-
:wave: someone is ment to be taking it . if not i am going to get him . kinda same for me to busy and dont really want him but dont like to see anyone stuck . getting bad when you cant give them away eh :-\
-
im trying to take him but im struggling to coordinate abattoir butcher and me at the moment...
i'll get there my family life keeps getting in the way though currently!!!
-
I’m very grateful to both the guys above (thanks langfauld easycare and bloomer!) for their efforts to help me resolve my involuntary problem with this lamb.
I really don’t have an option as he’s housed adjacent to ewes, and his recent behaviour has caused his normally-placid equine companion to take an intense dislike to him…
It’s always difficult to see an animal go – especially if it was intended as a pet – but like any farm animal he deserves a dignified departure.
Due to his young age, the fact that he hasn’t been used as a ram and because he’s always been very well-fed and generally well-looked-after I doubt there’d be any chance of a ‘rammy’ taint to the meat. I understand that a number of farmers don’t bother to wether young sheep they know are destined for the market or abbatoir.
It’s just a pity in his case that banding him at a very early age clearly didn’t work as intended.
I hope one of the guys above will be able to collect him in the not-too-distant future; please keep me posted, and VERY much appreciated.
-
Due to his young age, the fact that he hasn’t been used as a ram and because he’s always been very well-fed and generally well-looked-after I doubt there’d be any chance of a ‘rammy’ taint to the meat. I understand that a number of farmers don’t bother to wether young sheep they know are destined for the market or abbatoir.
Yes, and we are one such farm. But only animals that will be away before the hormones kick in, for two reasons. Mainly, in truth, that they don't grow well once they get hormonal, but also the risk that the meat may take on a taint once the hormones start flooding their systems.
If someone on here does take him and butcher him straight away, it'd be very interesting to know whether there is or is not any taint in the meat. Personally, if I took him, I'd keep him until spring, just to be sure the hormones have left his system.
-
Hi SallyintNorth,
Thank you very much indeed for your advice - I really do appreciate it and did look into fallen stock operators and hunts after your post - sadly there's no-one in my immediate area able to help.
I hope I've now found another forum member who'll take the sheep.
You gave me very good guidance and it's certainly appreciated. I know very little about lamb meat as we'd intended to keep him as a pet.
I just hope he's appreciated - even simply as good eating - but I completely agree that there should be a dialogue about what constitutes good meat and if the onset of hormones plays a part in that.
All I can add is that the lilttle lad has been well fed, well cared for and is in good fettle.
-
I'm very glad to hear that someone has been able to help you, Heyup. It was a difficult position you were in, and through no fault of your own.
-
lamby has settled in with his 4 blackie rigg pals . alls well that ends well :relief:
-
Can't believe no ones taken up this offer, I'd have had him in five minutes if I was down your way!!
-
He has been rehomed see the post above!