[PeterPan]

Hi

Yesterday whilst out riding on the horses, we can across a dead sheep with a little lamb curled up next to it trying to keep warm - being the animal lover that I am, I just couldn't have left it there as wouldn't have survived very long!

So we brought it home and phoned the farmer who was due to collect it today.  Anyway, he's phoned and said that he's in-undated and that we can have it.

So, very nice that it is, we haven't got a clue what to do - we're going up today to help a friend of ours with lambing, cleaning pens, feeding the pets etc - and so wil learn alot there - but if anyone out there can provide advice... what to feed etc then gratefully appreciated!!  (the friend has offered to take it from us - but we would really like to give it a go - all part of the small-holding experience!)

Plus, - 'it' is a Ram Lamb - so know it can;'t be kept as a pet -but what are our options when its older?

Thanks!!

[little blue]

he will need keeping as warm as possible,
and some milk replacement - Lamblac or similar.
or goats milk if you can get it!

if its still very young you can still fit "rings" ie to castrate him. 
maybe your friend or the farmer can help you with this!

There'll be a real shepherd along soon to advise you further... I just didnt want you hanging on there panicing!!
(I dont have sheep, sorry!)

[Joe11]

Needs a milk replacer asap, has it not had anything to drink since yesterday? so for now this is number one priority. Do you have a farm supplies store near you, like mole valley farmers as these will stock the milk. If its new born will need colostrum to begin with. Your friend will most likely have some milk replacer if they are lambing also. And yes as long as it is young you will be able to fit a ring (little tight rubber band) like little blue says, but it really is only days (maybe 7?) old before they are too old for this. Again your friend should be able to help with this. Really hope the lil guy is ok, good on you for finding him aswell, hopefully it will all work out

[SallyintNorth]

Hi there
Sounds like you've friends with sheep and who are rearing pet lambs, so I'm sure they'll tell you all you need to know and help with emergency rations of colostrum, vitamins and anything else they think your little ram lamb needs before the shops open.
Let us know how you get on, good luck
Sally

[khajou]

Once he has taken to the bottle, make sure he has creep feed and hay offered ad-lib. It is important to encourage their stomachs to grow and change. I offer creep as young as 3 days old - they usually play nibble to begin with, but soon get the idea.

[PeterPan]

Thanks guys - we've worked out he's about 5 days old - better get that elastic band quick!!
They've also given us some great advice and some milk replacement - I had got him drinking from a bottle last night - but it was cows milk as we were desperate! At least now he is on the right stuff!

Will keep you posted!

 

[andywalt]

yes keep us posted and some phptps would be great, good luck !!

[ellisr]

Just a quick thought do you have a CPH if not apply for one immediately (ring the RPA)and explain what has happened to keep you covered.

[Joe11]

Glad to hear you have things sorted 

Just a quick thought do you have a CPH if not apply for one immediately (ring the RPA)and explain what has happened to keep you covered.

Good shout ellisr this didnt even cross my mind when i read the original post and it could be tricky could it not, getting a CPH number will be easy enough i would think but flock number and then registering the lamb as yours could be problematic with no movement papers etc. Perhaps some one who knows more of the ins and outs of the paperwork could give you some idea...

[ellisr]

If they know the farmer he could do the paperwork thing to tie things up, just explain to the RPA what happened and they will understand as it was a rescue after all and the welfare of the animal is paramount.

[TheCaptain]

I've always found Animal health/Defra/Trading standards to be really helpful and will go out of their way to assist in whatever predicament you find yourself in.  I think they take the practical view that stuff like this does happen, and they live in the 'real world' unlike some other government departments...

[waterhouse]

Agree with that but the Rural Payments Agency who issue CPH were plain awkward with us when we borrowed some land which wasn't registered already.  Animal Health were brilliant though.

[TheGirlsMum]

That's been my experience exactly, Animal Health have been brilliant but Rural Payment Agency is totally a different story......

[TheCaptain]

That's been my experience exactly, Animal Health have been brilliant but Rural Payment Agency is totally a different story......

We've never done the RPA thing, I've never had time to try and decipher it and don't really know if we would be eligible for any assistance from the RPA - anyone a guru???

[SallyintNorth]

We've never done the RPA thing, I've never had time to try and decipher it and don't really know if we would be eligible for any assistance from the RPA - anyone a guru???

In my experience - no, no-one's a guru, not even the people that work there. 

Argh, don't get me started...