The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: horsemadmummy on March 08, 2011, 11:48:12 am

Title: introducing lambs to a flock
Post by: horsemadmummy on March 08, 2011, 11:48:12 am

we are about to bring home some shetland ewes which is great (5) and have been offered some orphaned lambs from a local farmer - question the ewes will lamb later in the month or early next so we were planning on keeping them in when they arrived.  If we keep the other lambs penned in the barn while they are botle fed and weaned will we be able to turn them out with the flock?  Can anyone help?

Title: Re: introducing lambs to a flock
Post by: humphreymctush on March 08, 2011, 12:03:57 pm

I'm sure it will be fine. The ewes might bully the orphan lambs a little to begin with, but they will soon sttle down.

Title: Re: introducing lambs to a flock
Post by: horsemadmummy on March 08, 2011, 12:07:46 pm

hope is that they orphans will have a 4 week head start over the others (to level the playing field a little).  They are also a slightly heavier breed than the shetlands.  Fingers crossed!