The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Pedwardine on January 23, 2013, 01:24:00 pm
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We went to feed our main flock yesterday morning. Their field which belongs to a friend and neighbour runs adjacent to the railway line. On the other side of the line is another friend's crop field. There has always been a gate on either side of the line to allow for access across for livestock, shooting parties etc. Yesterday morning a group of five Network Rail blokes were removing the gate, gateposts and a stretch of fencing pertaining to on our side of the line. We asked what they thought they were doing and they said they'd had orders from York to carry out the work. None of them had brain cells enough to query the fact that there was a large flock of sheep literally feet from the area they were clearing and that it just might be a temptation to those sheep to pay the railway embankment a visit. Yes, we did have three strand fencing around the perimeter, but, deep snow wasn't helping it to work effectively right now. We and the two landowners who had had no notification of the work being done insisted they put everything back as it had been. They said they would. We went back in the evening to give the sheep a second feed and found that their reparation was very short of the mark. They had neglected to inform us that they'd cut the metal gate in half and their idea of making it good was to prop it against a few shallow bedded posts and wrap a bit of wire around the whole here and there. The sheep had as predicted got through and we couldn't search along the line until we were granted permission for fear of trespass. We have a very biddable flock by and large and most came back by way of a shaken feed bucket. It was hard to do a head count in the dark as we crammed them into our feed yard for their safety. They were happy enough as they got stuck into our feed and haylage but we feared all may not be accounted for. A lovely chap in charge of 'operations' came out and assessed the situation and was so shocked and apologetic. He took photos and sent a report. This morning a headcount in daylight revealed two of last year's lambs were missing. Another chap came out this morning and walked the line, finding tracks which he followed for some time before they became difficult to trace. The trains were on a 'go-slow' through the stretch of line but our lambs haven't shown up. In the meantime many of all our presold fleeces are covered in haylage and bedding and may not be salvageable. We've been advised to put in a claim, but it won't make up for the nightmare we've been put through.
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I cannot believe how stupid and ignorant that was...not only could you have lost some of your flock but there also could have been an accident!!
I so hope the sheep turn up.......... :fc:
mind you, most tradesmen who worked at my daughters left her gate open every time they went in and out and she had toddlers and animals........and near a main road.......I worry too about people leaving our gate open, just shows how unthinking and stupid people are...even the clever ones..I would be fuming!!
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Oh, that is such a sad and sorry tale. I am shaking my head in disbelief . I hope you get the lost ones back.
Sally
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Oh no! I hope you get your lost ones back. Pester the railway people daily to see if they've been spotted. Maybe have a look on the OS map and see if there are any natural spots where they would end up?
Defo put a claim in though.
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Our two wee girls aren't back yet but lots of people looking out for them. They can't now get back where they got out as it's been cordoned off. Fingers crossed they'll suss another way back. Unfortunately it's two of the shier ones.
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Oh heavens, what a disaster - got everything crossed for you that the littlies will turn up somewhere :hug: .
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Unbelievable :rant: if not back soon then claim in, they were after all high EBV Texel rams weren't they :P
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It's hard to believe some people :rant: but railway workers really should know better :huff: <- nearest to a 'tut tut' I could find.
I do hope your missing two turn up - and :fc: that by the time clipping time comes around, all the sheep have shaken the seeds and stuff out of their neck fleece. If not, you'll just have to skirt more thoroughly and adjust the price accordingly. :(
Definitely put a claim in - these people need to be taught a lesson.
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Completely agree with everyone - they should have known better....idiots
:fc: that they are found or find there way home safely...thinking positive thought..... :fc:
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What utter PLONKERS :rant: :rant:
Everything crossed for your 2 lambs :fc: :fc:
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OH
MY
GODS
I would be absolutely LIVID! :rant: :rant: :rant:
I so hope your little lost ones turn up, check any flocks up and down as when one of mine disappeared she turned up a mile away having been shoved in with another flock ::)
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: [size=78%] [/size]
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:fc: that the missing two turn up. And a claim would be in order :rant:
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Unbelievable! :rant:
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They're back :yippee: . Waiting at the gate this evening. Bless the wee souls. SOOOOO relieved. Thanks everyone :hug:
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Whooooohooooo :excited: :excited: :excited: :excited:
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:relief: :relief: :excited: so pleased for you what a relief!! ;D
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:excited: :excited: :excited: :excited: :sunshine: :sunshine: :sunshine: :sunshine: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
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:thumbsup: .....that's really good news,what a relief :sheep: :sheep: :relief:
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Glad you have the little ones back. A hefty bill for the stress and damage that may result from their actions. Then hopefully management will sort out the idiots they employed :rant:
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Thanks so much folks. Been a bit of a heartache coupled with much anger. Wee ones were covered in brambles and such and very, very hungry but they're back. I've written a very strongly worded letter this evening. :rant:
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Phew! Glad to hear they made it back :excited:
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:relief: :thumbsup:
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So pleased your two have returned safe and sound. But no thanks to those workmen. I cannot imagine how worried you must have been, neither can I imagine anyone could be so stupid to do what those workers did. I think they will be in serious trouble .....your flock on the railway could have had horrendous consequences.
Thank goodness your story has a happy ending.
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Sounds like they were saved by the brambles. Must have got themselves stuck and either someone has freed them or they have managed to get out.
So glad to hear they are safe. I would definitely create hell with the rail company and be tempted to contact the local rag.
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Oh, what a relief :relief:
I'm glad you've written to their management - I wonder what the response will be...
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They're back :yippee: . Waiting at the gate this evening. Bless the wee souls. SOOOOO relieved. Thanks everyone :hug:
Yeay - fantastic news - what little gems, bless 'em :excited: :excited: :thumbsup:
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You must put in a very substantial claim. Push the fact that the missing lambs are valuable financially and emotionally. having worked in the claims dept claiming against the MOD, railways, and utilities, you could come out of this several thousands of pounds better off.
Stress how much upset it has caused you, how your breeding program has been set back, your loss from fleece sales as they have now been contaminated etc.
Do not feel foolish, I got a five figure sum for a kid who's pony was cut and she couldn't go to a couple of show, the award was mainly for her upset.
A few years ago i would never have shared this advice but these days its every man for himself, these companies are paid for by us taxpayers so we might as well get something back.
Good luck.
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This is why things cost so much & why people hate ambulance chasers.
be honest and claim for your loss and only your loss.
I will tie myself to that post in the corner and put my own blindfold on - fire at will!
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:excited: :excited: Thats brilliant!!!!
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That's great news - what clever girls :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Thanks SB. I've sent an inventory of the feed, lambs lost and fleece ruined in the hope we'll have recompense for those. Sent it last night before the ewe lambs returned. Obviously can't claim for the loss of them now that they're back. I said how much distress had been caused but how do you put a figure on that? If we're reimbursed for losses on our upcoming fleece sales (all fleece booked up to a year in advance in some cases and we may lose fleece customers for short and long term) and the feed it will at least be something. Sheep aren't distressed, they've had a right old pig out :yum: . It's us that have been through the mill. Mind you, how do you know if the sheep haven't eaten anything dodgy on their adventures that may take time to show? I know for a fact that the embankments are full of ragwort and deadly nightshade in the warmer months. The railway never spray and take no responsibility for seeds taking root on our paddock, we're constantly looking out for the little buggers. I just don't know if the sheep will have had a munch on anything like that. I've seen rosettes of it even at this time of year. If I analyse it all too much my head will explode on the what-ifs. I think we will just claim for the things we can be certain of. God know we need the money but it would all be too complicated for me to get my head around if I stretch the facts.
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Some people...... :huff: (referring to the workmen!)
You could claim for the extra time you spent out searching?
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I'm so glad they're back (sorry, no Internet for 2 days so missed the start of this)
I think you do need to add time and worry into the claim too :-*
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Definitely put in for your time and anyone else's. And your time is not worth £6 an hour - as a farmer you must value yourself correctly!
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Ragwort in the rosette stage (early spring) is not poisonous to sheep, they can be used to graze infested pasture to control ragwort at that time of year.
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Thanks Anke. That at least is a relief.
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I'm soooooo glad that all are present and accounted for but OMG what absolute morons!! >:( >:( I've learned many people that don't work with livestock have no idea or couldn't care less how easily they can escape and stray. Put in as much claim as you can and definitely add some for your time and most of all stress! God knows sheep are bad enough at giving us heart failure without other people adding to it needlessly!
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I go to visit a dog trainer and on the way there is often sheep on the road, I drive very carefuly but still see morons speeding on twisty country roads overtaking me....I am maybe too careful so they speed to pass me :innocent:
A lot of people walk around in life without a thought of anything or anyone, not only livestock :innocent:
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Got the flock on a neighbouring field now which was reserved for our ewes and lambs come May. Network Rail still haven't fixed the area but for some of that plastic netting. Think we will put a more substantial claim in as it's just not on.
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You might want to check the deeds for the land the sheep were on to see who is responsible for maintaining the gates/fences and any conditions attached. It should help your claim if you can cite specifically where they have not met their obigations or have done something they had no right to do.