[Blackbird]

The Sheep for Smallholders course I was enrolled on at Moulton College, Northampton, has been cancelled as I was the only person on it. I was counting on this to help me learn the right way to approach to drenching, injections and foot trimming. Does anyone know of any other courses available? I've Googled the academic providers and found some being held next year, but wondered if there are informal courses others are aware of? Grateful for any thoughts on this as I really need to know how to do this stuff properly. Thanks all.

[Mallows Flock]

I bet if you told a local farmer your needs and offered him a days free graft in return he would be happy to help. Most of my injecting etc techniques have been shown and watched over as I have had a go by farmers. So far, all my sheep have lambed on their own without a hint of bother, but one day I guess I really need to offer help in return for experience at one of our big commercial sheep farmers so I know what to do hands-on rather than just read about in books in case of difficulty!
Good luck with your learning. p.s  learned my hoof trimming technique off of a youtube video. There are some brilliant ones on there 

[Mammyshaz]

That's a real shame blackbird. Free graft for experience does sound a good way to go especially if you find somebody local.  They will then be at hand when you need a bit of advice too.

[Blackbird]

Thanks folks. Good idea to "shadow" our local farmer, I will try and catch up with him (he is very elusive!). I've also found someone offering learning for smallholders. They are prepared to do a one-to-one day tailored just for me. I will be learning hands-on with their flock of GFDs - great and couldn't be more relevant! 
They are here:
http://www.oakberrow.co.uk/grey-faced-dartmoors/

I will post some feedback after the course in case it's relevant to anyone else.

[kaz]

Thanks folks. Good idea to "shadow" our local farmer, I will try and catch up with him (he is very elusive!). I've also found someone offering learning for smallholders. They are prepared to do a one-to-one day tailored just for me. I will be learning hands-on with their flock of GFDs - great and couldn't be more relevant! 
They are here:
http://www.oakberrow.co.uk/grey-faced-dartmoors/

I will post some feedback after the course in case it's relevant to anyone else.

You should be well looked after there.

[VSS]

If you are interested in learning the lambing bit, we run a "rolls royce" lambing course every spring, usually in mid March. Our course has been running since 2006 and has proved extremely popular and the reveiws have been excellent.

Run over 4 1/2 days you will get plenty of hands on experience and a true idea of what lambing a flock is really like.

PM if you are interested.

Shamless plug - sorry.

[wellies]

I'm hopefully going to oak berrow for an advice, practical session on showing my Ryelands. Just trying to sort out a day 

[kaz]

If you are interested in learning the lambing bit, we run a "rolls royce" lambing course every spring, usually in mid March. Our course has been running since 2006 and has proved extremely popular and the reveiws have been excellent.

Run over 4 1/2 days you will get plenty of hands on experience and a true idea of what lambing a flock is really like.

PM if you are interested.

Shamless plug - sorry.

 
Can recommend the organisers of this course.

[moprabbit]

Hi Blackbird!
Like you I've been looking for a sheep husbandry course in my local area - North Notts/ Syorks but without any luck! Wondered where the place was that was going to do a tailor made course for you? Maybe if it was suitable I could join you on it - just a thought?

[omnipeasant]

Why not ask one of the city farms if you can go and learn. Whirlow Hall Farm in Sheffield is all about education, google them.

[Blackbird]

Thanks for the information about your course VSS, but mine is a non-breeding flock (we'll look after them for life and add to the flock as we go) so we won't be doing the pre-tup/tupping/lambing side of things. Moprabbit - the course is taking place near Malvern - if you click on the link on my post you can find out more about them and make contact if you'd like? The things I want to cover are nutrition, foot trimming, handling/turning,drenching and injections.

[moprabbit]

Thanks for the info Omnipeasant - I'll give them a try!
Hi Blackbird! I've looked at the link, it looks a great place but a bit too far for me, which is a shame. It's interesting to note that your sheep are a non breeding flock - so are mine! Just 4 pet sheep, so just like you I'm not particularly interested in the lambing side for my sheep, although I would like to be more knowlegdeable so that I can help my friend when his are lambing!

How many sheep have you got? Are yours just pets? Most of my friends think I'm silly having sheep and not breeding from them, but I know I'm  too soft and couldn't bear to let the lambs go - so the easiest solution is not to have lambs!

[Tudful Tamworths]

Kate Humble's new rural skills school in Monmouthshire (www.humblebynature.com) has sheep husbandry/lambing courses planned. You can also request bespoke courses, tailored to suit your needs. Accommodation available on the farm, too. Best of luck x
 
 

[Small Farmer]

We went on a course near Bristol some years ago run by a lady who still runs courses. It was very expensive: in retrospect not good value.  Buying half a dozen sheep from a nearby farmer was much more use, gave us support and a lot of useful introductions.


What worried OH was the day course she offered in bee keeping. OH reckoned that was long enough to get you into trouble without the support needed to solve the problems


Hope this helps

[SallyintNorth]

Most of my friends think I'm silly having sheep and not breeding from them, but I know I'm  too soft and couldn't bear to let the lambs go - so the easiest solution is not to have lambs!

Very wise approach in your circumstances  ; don't ever feel the need to apologise for it.