[princesslayer]

May be a silly question, but when the lamb us born, cord is broken and placenta delivered, what's the best way to dispose of it? We wil be lambing outdoors, and I'm not interested in sheep, rats or anything else eating it! Thanks

[Foobar]

I use an arm length glove (cos I don't use them for much else!) to pick it up, turning the glove inside out as you go to gather it all up. Knot the end of the glove, then bin it.  If the sheep is going to eat it I think they will do so straight away rather than leave it to fester for a while, so if you see one, pick it up and dispose of it.

[Backinwellies]

You haven't said how to dispose of it Footbar  ..... should legally be incinerated or collected by animal disposal at great cost ...............  princesslayer ... natural disposal (!) if outdoor lambing is likely to be best option. 

[Foobar]

(Household) Bin.   I have <20 sheep - I suppose if you have hundreds then ... officially you must dispose of it like you would fallen stock.

[Foobar]

Tis a good question ... there is no item for "bags of placenta/afterbirth" on my fallen stock collection price list! lol

[Anke]

My sheep and goats get to it usually before me....

[trish.farm]

I leave it out in the field, crows, birds of prey, magpies, foxes etc will eat it, never had one last more than one night.

[Fleecewife]

Ewe eats it, dogs eat it or when we had them, Muscovies eat it.  I know you said you're not interested in anything eating it, but why not - it's good meaty protein which minutes before was feeding the lambs.  Certainly you don't want it lying around as it will attract foxes and other predators, but it's not dirty or yucky, not initially anyway.

[Kimbo]

(Household) Bin.   I have <20 sheep - I suppose if you have hundreds then ... officially you must dispose of it like you would fallen stock.

Ive just had a look on our household recycling instructions.....Mmmmm, cant find "placenta" so far     

[Kimbo]

Foobar,  if your area is anything like ours surely crows will on it in an instant if you left it in the open

[Foobar]

I'm sure they would but I don't want to attract them, or foxes, or anything else that can also take a liking to my sheep & lambs!!

[princesslayer]

Thanks all. I'm not squeamish just don't like the idea of attracting extra beasts to my garden, where they'll lamb. Especially rats (nasty blighters), foxes (eat my chickens) and crows (peck my lambs eyes out perhaps!) All that said, if the ewe wants it, she can have it, if not I'll bin or burn.

[Melmarsh]

I collect mine and bury them in my muck heap, no sign of it when I have dug well rotted manure for the garden !!!
I have on very rare occasions put a dead newborn in the heap as well, again no sign of it later ! not even bones !!
Very very rare that it has been dug up by night visitors either.

[Paulie]

I bagged mine and put them in the bin (only 2) my neighbour told be to be sure to get rid because if the dogs find and eat it can make them go blind ??

[Crbecky10]

If the sheep is eating it is it a good idea to take it away, they can choke on it.