Smallholders Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: silly questions from a first timer!  (Read 3148 times)

debbigord

  • Joined Mar 2013
  • East Sussex
silly questions from a first timer!
« on: April 11, 2013, 08:27:05 am »
Two of our lovely Lleyn girlies had our first lambs on Tues - will try to attach pics. One had twins and the other a big single.

Up until now I was just worrying about birth etc, now I find I have a whole new set of worries and questions - please bear with me!!

Both mums have slightly snotty noses but are eating and drinking well, are up and about, feeding their new babies fine - am assuming this is just an awful weather thing, or should I worry/ do something?

We are going to do balls and tails today and then am intending to turn them out tomorrow - will new mums and babies be ok to turn out with mums yet to birth?

Last silly worry - We have fenced them in with the orange electric wire fencing to give some protection from foxes - will lambs be ok with this?
So much to learn! Reading this forum has been brill so far - thanks to all  :)


Fosterlambfarm

  • Joined Apr 2013
  • Muirkirk
Re: silly questions from a first timer!
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2013, 09:25:16 am »
Wouldn't worry too much. The lambs will be fine out as long as you make sure everything's kept clean and if your castrating with a band then don't be surprised if the lamb jumps about screaming then lays down really quiet. The ewes will be fine aswel, just keep an eye on them. As long as their feeding well and feeding lambs well then ur fine
C mccrossan, foster lamb farm

debbigord

  • Joined Mar 2013
  • East Sussex
Re: silly questions from a first timer!
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2013, 06:41:13 pm »
OK, that's great, thank you - will try to just stop worrying and enjoy them!

SallyintNorth

  • Joined Feb 2011
  • Cornwall
  • Rarely short of an opinion but I mean well
    • Trelay Cohousing Community
Re: silly questions from a first timer!
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2013, 11:22:32 pm »
I'm really not sure about baby lambs and the orange squares electric netting - anyone got any firsthand experience to share?
Don't listen to the money men - they know the price of everything and the value of nothing

Live in a cohousing community with small farm for our own use.  Dairy cows (rearing their own calves for beef), pigs, sheep for meat and fleece, ducks and hens for eggs, veg and fruit growing

Remy

  • Joined Dec 2011
Re: silly questions from a first timer!
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2013, 09:45:25 am »
I haven't had any experience of the orange netting but lambs being lambs are usually very curious and there is a chance of them getting caught up.  I've also never found electric that effective in keeping a determined fox out - I had a 4ft chain fence with electric round my geese and the fox had no trouble taking them!


I'm sure your lambs will be fine, just check frequently!
1 horse, 2 ponies, 4 dogs, 2 Kune Kunes, a variety of sheep

Marlboro

  • Joined Jan 2013
  • West Wales
  • 42 sheep, 5 ducks 10 chickens and Meg
Re: silly questions from a first timer!
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2013, 03:36:48 pm »
The first year we had bucket lambs I tried them with electric fencing, not a good idea I discovered, the little b's had a habit of getting their heads stuck in it, gave up after a few trying hours. Perhaps yours will be better behaved but keep a clsoe watch.

SteveHants

  • Joined Aug 2011
Re: silly questions from a first timer!
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2013, 04:19:45 pm »
Electric netting dos keep foxes out, but no - I wouldnt use it with lambs


Bramblecot

  • Joined Jul 2008
Re: silly questions from a first timer!
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2013, 04:23:10 pm »
I tried using it in the garden under close supervision -  the adult sheep are ok but never again with lambs.  Luckily I caught each of them that got trapped  :relief: , my neighbour was not so lucky :( .

Daisys Mum

  • Joined May 2009
  • Scottish Borders
Re: silly questions from a first timer!
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2013, 07:27:51 pm »
First year I lambed I lost one in electric netting.
Anne

colliewoman

  • Joined Jul 2011
  • Pilton
  • Caution! May spontaneously talk rabbits!
Re: silly questions from a first timer!
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2013, 07:47:54 pm »
I have electric netting as a visual for a couple of my naughty ewes, but it is BEHIND the 7 strand lekky fence I have. As yet, nothing has gone near, but if I take it away Naughty Jessie barges the strands and lets everyone out :-\



We'll turn the dust to soil,
Turn the rust of hate back into passion.
It's not water into wine
But it's here, and it's happening.
Massive,
but passive.


Bring the peace back

 

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