The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: lokismum on March 10, 2013, 01:13:42 pm

Title: first timer advice
Post by: lokismum on March 10, 2013, 01:13:42 pm

hi all
we think we may like to get some lambs for meat  :fc:
have looked into pigs and worked out as long as we check sows have been wormed and had vacs we wouldn't need to do anything before they are slaughtered  :thumbsup:

could you let me know if we would need to do it with sheep if so what would it involve rough price etc
and what age is best to buy them in at
and to slaughter at
would they need feet trimmed etc
would male or female make a difference or could i buy both ???
not looking at getting ewes wouldn't want to breed just grow on


if it works out OK will do a course

Title: Re: first timer advice
Post by: Dan on March 10, 2013, 03:58:16 pm

Have a read of this recent thread about cade (orphan) lambs which should help give some idea of what's involved:

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=31654.0 (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=31654.0)

I'd say it's an order of magnitude more challenging than fattening weaners.

HTH.  :)

Title: Re: first timer advice
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 11, 2013, 09:18:53 am

Pigs want to eat, grow, rootle.  Happy souls, don't tend to have many problems.

To quote an old Exmoor farmer,

Quote

Sheep just has two hobbies.  What they can eat and what they can die of.

There are all sorts of pitfalls and horrible things can happen to lambs - not least being eaten alive by maggots.  Not a venture to undertake lightly.