[plumseverywhere]

We've decided, due to the fact that our 2 ewe lambs were NOT pregnant (thank goodness!) to buy in some orphan/bottle babies. Well, ok, I've decided and hubby has nodded.
We bottle fed the lambs that were part of the co-op that used our land last year from 3 weeks of age. This time though they will be about 24/48 hours old.

The farmer has been recommended to me by the vet, I've spoken to him, hes lovely. He has said he has lots of triplets due and will of course try to adopt the 3rd lambs onto another mum where possible. He has also said that any I take will have had plenty of colostrum, be double tagged (EID) as they will be breeding/pet, and he will make sure they are castrated if boys. HIs words were "they will be healthy lambs and not faders". I trust him 

So...I have...bottles, milton fluid, experience from last year,  a heat lamp, lots of straw, a cosy shed, a small fenced of 'nursery paddock, heptavacP, lamlac (until my goats have milk again!) and lots of time and care to offer these babies. Have I forgotten anything     

we only want a handful so that I can do everything right on a manageable scale.  as and when we 'lose' sheep (ie. they die) we can buy in lambs again to repeat the procedure. we only want pets to keep the orchard grass down and the 2 we currently have a so lovely.

maybe one day we'll breed and have lambs for the freezer but until then, we just need/enjoy mobile lawnmowers!

[katie]

How exciting! Can't think of anything else you'll need straight away. You'll need to keep an eye on the wormer situation as they won't be on sheep-free grass this year.
I look forward to seeing them. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed any this year. But.. the kids are due in two weeks!

[YorkshireLass]

Antiseptic spray for cuts? Foot trimmers (make sure they fit your hands! I use lamb-sized ones). Dagging shears (for tidying up mucky bums if necessary. Improvise with big scissors  )

Camera for cute fwuffy lamby pics 

[plumseverywhere]

Thank you     am ok for foot trimmers-actually ordered lamb ones by accident when I attempted to buy new goat ones (typical me!!) but useful now!
will research the wormer, thanks Katie. will let you know as soon as they are here!

[kanisha]

lucky lucky lambs

[plumseverywhere]

lucky lucky lambs

aw thank you!  well I am going to give one to each of my children (apart from my eldest who is keeping  a goat kid from Puffin when she delivers them in march)
My 4 year old adored the lambs last year and insisted on being part of every feed, refusing to go to bed herself until the lambs were settled and fed. this year she's been nagging since new years day for 'milk lambs'.
I know I must sound far too soppy - I am a realist, honest!

[katie]

Of COURSE you are!

[plumseverywhere]

  haha!!

[moody_mare]

oh how exciting.

[moprabbit]

Sounds super fun. Takes me back 2 years ago when I was bottle feeding 3 of my 4 pet sheep! Hope all goes well - keep us informed when the lambs arrive!

[salopian]

We have all but finished lambing and have about 20 cade lambs,and a pen load of waifs and strays bad mothers blind ones etc that are'nt strong enough to go out,the kids love the cades but iv'e had enough,manadged to get them on a maid now so not so bad,your lambs sound like they will have a life of luxery they will be easy to handle when fully grown.