The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Davism31 on April 22, 2016, 10:09:39 am

Title: Hello. Newbie here.
Post by: Davism31 on April 22, 2016, 10:09:39 am

Good morning.  I have acquired lovingly two Jacob sheep lambs.  Their names are Fern and Gully.  Both were abandoned by their mothers. 
 I am new to being a shepherd.  I am loving every aspect.  My husband and I have built a barn for them from the bottom up and started with half an acre pasture. 

I am concerned though.  They are 8-9 weeks.  I am trying to wean them.  They receive milk replacer morning and night and water in a bottle during the day with good hay, lamb kibble, and exposure to clean water.  I am not sure if they are drinking from the bucket of water.  Not sure what to do to get them to transition completely to water in a bucket.  Your advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your consideration.  Have a most splendid day!

Title: Re: Hello. Newbie here.
Post by: Possum on April 25, 2016, 05:16:25 pm

Hello and welcome from Somerset. You will probably get some useful answers to your question if you post it in the sheep section. :)

Title: Re: Hello. Newbie here.
Post by: Jullienne on April 25, 2016, 10:49:04 pm

Hello and welcome from wales! its brilliant isn't it starting as a shepherd? I love every minute of it myself. When the lambs are young to keep them hydrated I give them a little honey and water in their bottle between the first and last feed, that keeps them hydrated an they love it into the bargain. To get them drinking from a bucket it might be worth sticking your fingers into the bucket and swishing them around, possibly putting the water onto their mouth area a few times, do this a lot and they should get interested. Hope this helps and all the best with everything! :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Hello. Newbie here.
Post by: devonlady on April 28, 2016, 12:30:40 pm

Hello from Devon. We have Jacobs, they are such characters!