[egglady]

some of you know we have a lamb born this year with oversized testicles and the time has come for him to go to the abbatoir before they start to become uncomfortable for him.

this will be the first time we have done this, so can i just check with you more knowledgable folks that i have done what is need:

I know he is to have one ear tag in - does it matter which ear?
I need a food chain information sheet for the abbatoir and also the movement book duly completed - do i need anytthing else?

the last question is when should we remove him from the rest of the flock?  for reasons of comfort (his testicles being so large) we are allowed to take him the short journey in a large dog crate so he wont be jostled around, but when should i remove him from the flock?  should i be popping him in a stable tonight so it's less stressful for him (and us) in the morning, or straight from the field in the morning?

we've never had to catch him before so i'm thinking we should at least spend some time tonight - he is really tame so i'm not really anticipating a problem (hopefully anyway!!)

and did i read somehwere that you are supposed to ask the abbatoir to return the fleece?

[Fleecewife]

Hi Egglady

<< and did i read somewhere that you are supposed to ask the abbatoir to return the fleece?>> 

You mean skin  Yes, if you want to get it tanned then you need to get it asap after he's been slaughtered, then dash home and salt the raw side (have salt ready first)  or they might have brine at the abattoir and they can dunk it for you.

We get ours rounded up the night before as we take them in by 6 - either that or we take them to the abattoir the night before they are to be killed so they have a settled night.  No food overnight, just water.

Hope it all goes well.  Will be interested to hear the outcome of the peek at the amazing testicles 

[egglady]

thanks fleecewife - i dont think i want to have the SKIN!!! oh that makes me cringe...i think i still have a long way to go to be truly "country"...

ear tag? 
and as he is only one, should i pop him in the stable on his own tonight do you think?

[sheepish_too]

>>I know he is to have one ear tag in - does it matter which ear?

No

>>I need a food chain information sheet for the abbatoir and also the movement book duly completed - do i need anytthing else?

You can complete your movement book anytime before someone phones you to say they are coming to inspect you ;-) You will need a movement license to take to the abattoir. The thing with attached multi-coloured pages that take copies of what you write on the front white sheet.

>>we've never had to catch him before so i'm thinking we should at least spend some time tonight - he is really tame so i'm not really >>anticipating a problem (hopefully anyway!!)

Tricky. He won't like being on his own. But usually the abattoir asks for them not to eat for 24 hours before slaughter, and as you say much easier to catch in a shed! I'd put him in a shed with a friend.

Going to the abattoir is never nice, but you soon get over it with that first roast shoulder, or in my case offal kebab :-)

[Fleecewife]

Offal kebab    oh yeuch whatever is that? 

[sheepish_too]

>> Offal kebab oh yeuch whatever is that?

That's what my wife says :-)

Cubes of lung, heart and liver, separated with slices of onion, barbequed. Kidneys *always* reserved for deviled kidneys. Don't worry, you still have loads of lung left for all manner of gastronomic adventures afterwards ;-)

[egglady]

well, we allowed lots of time to catch him but he just came straight over to us at 6am this morning - wee lamb!  it wasn't nice taking him but the people were very friendly and helpful (I hadn't been beofre) and kept us right.  It was so sad leaving him there as he kept calling to us.........keep reminding myself about the nice wee life he has had....but still sad.....

and now we're back home, his mum is wandering around calling for him!!

tell me it gets easier!!

[Sharondp]

It gets easier (I hope!)

Our 4 lambs will be off to 'the big house' in the next couple of weeks! I shall be back for comfort then too - it's a strange feeling - this is what we raised them for - but I shall miss their morning greetings! 

[Cinderhills]

Took mine for the first time this year.  I really thought I would cry but didn't shed a tear.  They were so good and quiet on the way to their long holiday as we call it, which helped.  The whole process from taking them to eating them was a lot easier than I thought and I was quite proud of myself.  I now look at our current lambs (especially our intact ram lamb who's huge) and can't wait until we get their meat.  Although of course I do enjoy their company until then.

[lachlanandmarcus]

Ive got to take our first couple next week. They are 15 months old cos they are Shetlands so eaten as hoggets. Ive been a wuss and two others are staying as ram companions as they have lovely colours and markings so I got fond of them, but the two who are going have less interesting coats so that was unlucky for them!

Im longing to get it over with them, they were supposed to go in the spring but then it snowed us in again....

Am hoping that I dont have any issues with being too upset to eat the meat. Ive chosen the smaller abbatoir that specialises in private kills and they seem very nice so hoping for the best.

We will bring them the night before as they arent so easy to catch and also if left out will be munching all night...

[Fleecewife]

<< tell me it gets easier!! >>

It does in a way, especially if you send more than one at a time.  Worst for us was when we sent off a group of 'old ladies' - definitely old friends too, and that last look lingers.  But I don't think there's anything wrong with feeling sad when they go - better than total disinterest or lack of concern for their welfare. You don't have to harden your heart, you just find ways of dealing with it.

Any word from the vet about the enlarged testicles?
 
 
 

[egglady]

Any word from the vet about the enlarged testicles?
 
 
 

no, so i'm presuming that means everything must be ok?

[Fleecewife]

  Did you say you wanted him to take a look?  If not then he wouldn't get back to you anyway unless the sheep was condemmed.  But surely he would have looked so I would phone and ask.

[lachlanandmarcus]

now have vision of Viz style 'Phrwoarrrrr' from vet examining ram lambs credentials