[tanyalou]

Hi All,

I've just had an enquiry to sell one lamb. I have ryelands. The chap has two south downs who should be in lamb. I am concerned as to whether they will take to the new lamb if he puts her with them and obviiously I wouldn't want to sell her to be kept alone if that is the alternative. Any advice please?

[Fleecewife]

I think she would remain an outsider until she lambs herself.  We once acquired a single ewe lamb and that is what happened with her - she was always standing alone and looking lost.  She's now well settled and happy, but I wouldn't sell a single ewe now, unless perhaps it was to join another single ewe, but I would assess the situation carefully.  Even selling a set of twins plus one other leaves the single as an outsider.
There will be other buyers you will be happier with, so explain and hang onto her 

[harmony]

Always do what you feel comfortable with.


We have introduced singles and not had a problem.

[Marches Farmer]

Down sheep are generally very docile.  As long as there's enough grazing available they should be fine.  She'll probably be an outsider for a while - can she be penned adjacent to but not mixed in with the Southdowns for a while at the new place?  That said I only sell rams singly but that's because folks generally buy ewe lambs in groups of 3+.

[pharnorth]

I have so far always sold in at least pairs, although one is going this week she is joining a small flock that had two of mine a couple of months ago. I bought a pair of lambs and a single earlier this year and while they all graze together (12 in total) the single still tends to graze alone, but only a few foot away and less and less over time, the pair as a pair and the more established ones on recollection all took several months to forget the early allegiances. If they are feeding then a hand ful separate to the others may help in the early days.

[sheeponthebrain]

You may find that a single integrates better . As small groups can tend to stay as segregated groups when introduced to other flocks

[devonlad]

we bought a single ewe lamb a few years ago and as others have mentioned she did look a bit forlorn and alone for a few months. Im not dead sure whether she was actually miserable, but she gradually became part of the flock and now several years on she has lambed a couple of times and is very much one of the girls. I would prefer to buy or sell in at least pairs but I cant say im too sure whether it really matters, and that part of it is me putting human values and emotions on sheep. as long as they've got same species company they'll probably cope ??

[tanyalou]

Thank you for all the replies. I think I will tell the guy that I only want to sell a minimum of a pair particularly as she will be considerably smaller than the sheep he has. After seeing how mums can bully I wouldn't want to think of that happening to her. oh dear. I do worry about my babies ? ?

[Fleecewife]

Thank you for all the replies. I think I will tell the guy that I only want to sell a minimum of a pair particularly as she will be considerably smaller than the sheep he has. After seeing how mums can bully I wouldn't want to think of that happening to her. oh dear. I do worry about my babies ? ?

It would be a sad day if we weren't concerned about getting the best for our animals