[twizzel]

When we first got them they were on 5 feeds a day, 6 lambs probably about 1/2 hr per feed? They were off milk by 6 wks old, by then they were on creep and out at grass during the day. We had them out in the day, in overnight until about 14 wks old as we have a lot of badgers and foxes on the farm, then turned out 24/7 until beginning of Oct when they came in and were killed. We didn't lose any, but 1 went down with pneumonia at a fairly late stage, 1 had an eye problem which we cleared up with some eye drops that they dog had (!!) and 1 didn't have a great sucking reflex so was difficult to feed for the first 2 weeks or so and needed extra small feeds inbetween the other regular feeds. So v labour intensive, our first feed was at 6.30am and the last was about 11.30pm but we live on the farm so it's fine, feeding in pjs!

[graham-j]

Hi were you bucket feeding or straight from the bottle,How many did you have,how bigger shed did you keep them in, if you don't mind me asking
I have had to work else where in the past but the way things are going at the moment this year may be different so this could well be a possibility.

Graham.

[ballingall]

My orphan lambs were very worthwhile. I bought 4 and got them from someone I knew at about 4-6 days old, paid £10 each (though he only asked for £5 each).


Because we have the dairy goats, we were producing milk anyway, so no milk costs. Fed until they were 12 weeks old. We did have to give one lamb antibiotics and vitamins as she had very weak legs at about 2 weeks old, but she recovered fine. The other female lamb died at about 14 weeks old- pasturella despite being vaccinated 


They had a bit of sheep mix, but probably only about half a sack, so about £5. Cut and butcher was £73 for the three, and I did have my petrol to a, pick them up, b, take to abattoir, c, pick up the meat. But all in all, very reasonable. And needless to say, we are having roast lamb for lunch tomorrow.


Beth

[colliewoman]

I know that they are the most 'complex' of the options up thee, but I cannot be doing with orphan lambs -

    Should you happen to get any orphans that you can't foster I would like to buy some this coming year so think of me should it happen please!
Hopefully you wont get any but just in case!

[Richard Underwood]

Maesgwyn,

We are near Lllandeilo, about an hour from you. We have ~60 Soay which are a primitive breed. You are welcome to come over some time, chat and get some hands on experience. They are not typical of modern breeds - they are small which makes them hard to catch but easy to handle and they shed their wool so I can't offer advice on shearing but the basic jobs like foot trimming, dosing and spraying are the same.

Richard

[Marches Farmer]

How much land will you have available?  You could offer grass keep to a local farmer (April to October) and ask to be paid in lamb.  He'd check them every day and you could hang around and pick up tips.

[twizzel]

Hi were you bucket feeding or straight from the bottle,How many did you have,how bigger shed did you keep them in, if you don't mind me asking
I have had to work else where in the past but the way things are going at the moment this year may be different so this could well be a possibility.

Graham.

No bottle feeding so as to ensure every lamb got the right amount. We had 6 as it was the first year we did it but this year we will take as many as we can get poss 15. OHs sister had 5 but were kept in a separate pen next door, but turned out in the field together later on. They were kept in a small pen 10' by 5' in a large cow shed. We made the pen smaller by sectioning it off my straw bales and had a heat lamp rigged up too.

[graham-j]

Hi,sorry for so many questions but I'm very interested.What wattage was the heat lamp and how close do you set it.

Thanks Graham.

[twizzel]

That's ok! To be honest I haven't a clue what wattage it is, it's just a heat lamp we have here on the farm for calves and lambs, it was quite warm though. Probably set a metre above the lambs?

[SteveHants]

    Should you happen to get any orphans that you can't foster I would like to buy some this coming year so think of me should it happen please!
Hopefully you wont get any but just in case!

Fostering lambs on an outdoor system is always a case of lots of luck, and doesn't work very often, I fond (and if its going to work, it has to be a wet foster) and the day I get no orphans is the day I have created the perfect ewe and will make my millions. So, I should imagine I will have some lambs for you come April. 

[sabrina]

I have raised lots of orphan lambs for our freezer over the years and found it very worth while. Gave up breeding and sold my ewes as often my vet bill was more than any lambs we had. We only had a small flock but they were still a lot of work. I get my lambs from a local farmer who I know and trust.

[colliewoman]

    Should you happen to get any orphans that you can't foster I would like to buy some this coming year so think of me should it happen please!
Hopefully you wont get any but just in case!

Fostering lambs on an outdoor system is always a case of lots of luck, and doesn't work very often, I fond (and if its going to work, it has to be a wet foster) and the day I get no orphans is the day I have created the perfect ewe and will make my millions. So, I should imagine I will have some lambs for you come April. 

ACE!!
Can you let me know (pm if you prefer) how much you ask for a cade, then I can put the money away ready. Thank you

[SteveHants]

PM Sent (I hope).

[colliewoman]

Pm received I just am rubbish in remembering to reply
I would reckon on about 6, but will know for sure nearer the time
Thank you!

[Maesgwyn]

I have found a local sheep breeder, who in return for some spinning she would like me to do for her, will teach me the basics of keeping sheep and which type to buy in for a first timer for the freezer, I do not have the time to take on orphans which I can pick up for £0 around here which is a great shame. When we take pigs to slaughter it is a two hour round trip, once to take them and then to go and collect the meat, soon adds £s to the price of production, will be the same for the sheep