[Womble]

The only thing I can think is that people assume he will taste 'rammy'

No,  he's just too far away, and I'm very busy at the moment - under any other circumstances, I'd be biting your hand off!!

[waterbuffalofarmer]

The only thing I can think is that people assume he will taste 'rammy'

No,  he's just too far away, and I'm very busy at the moment - under any other circumstances, I'd be biting your hand off!!

Same here.

[langfauld easycare]

  someone is ment to be taking it . if not i am going to get him . kinda same for me to busy and dont really want him but dont like to see anyone stuck . getting bad when you cant give them away eh 

[bloomer]

im trying to take him but im struggling to coordinate abattoir butcher and me at the moment...


i'll get there my family life keeps getting in the way though currently!!!

[Heyup]

 I’m very grateful to both the guys above (thanks langfauld easycare and bloomer!) for their efforts to help me resolve my involuntary problem with this lamb.
I really don’t have an option as he’s housed adjacent to ewes, and his recent behaviour has caused his normally-placid equine companion to take an intense dislike to him…
It’s always difficult to see an animal go – especially if it was intended as a pet – but like any farm animal he deserves a dignified departure.
Due to his young age, the fact that he hasn’t been used as a ram and because he’s always been very well-fed and generally well-looked-after I doubt there’d be any chance of a ‘rammy’ taint to the meat.  I understand that a number of farmers don’t bother to wether young sheep they know are destined for the market or abbatoir.   
It’s just a pity in his case that banding him at a very early age clearly didn’t work as intended.
I hope one of the guys above will be able to collect him in the not-too-distant future; please keep me posted, and VERY much appreciated.

[SallyintNorth]

Due to his young age, the fact that he hasn’t been used as a ram and because he’s always been very well-fed and generally well-looked-after I doubt there’d be any chance of a ‘rammy’ taint to the meat.  I understand that a number of farmers don’t bother to wether young sheep they know are destined for the market or abbatoir.

Yes, and we are one such farm.  But only animals that will be away before the hormones kick in, for two reasons.  Mainly, in truth, that they don't grow well once they get hormonal, but also the risk that the meat may take on a taint once the hormones start flooding their systems.

If someone on here does take him and butcher him straight away, it'd be very interesting to know whether there is or is not any taint in the meat.  Personally, if I took him, I'd keep him until spring, just to be sure the hormones have left his system.

[Heyup]

Hi SallyintNorth,

Thank you very much indeed for your advice - I really do appreciate it and did look into fallen stock operators and hunts after your post - sadly there's no-one in my immediate area able to help.

I hope I've now found another forum member who'll take the sheep.

You gave me very good guidance and it's certainly appreciated.  I know very little about lamb meat as we'd intended to keep him as a pet. 

I just hope he's appreciated - even simply as good eating - but I completely agree that there should be a dialogue about what constitutes good meat and if the onset of hormones plays a part in that.

All I can add is that the lilttle lad has been well fed, well cared for and is in good fettle.

[SallyintNorth]

I'm very glad to hear that someone has been able to help you, Heyup.  It was a difficult position you were in, and through no fault of your own.

[langfauld easycare]

lamby has settled in with his 4 blackie rigg pals . alls well that ends well 

[polaris]

Can't believe no ones taken up this offer, I'd have had him in five minutes if I was down your way!!

[BALLOCH]

He has been rehomed see the post   above!