Livestock and 'good samaritans'

[Sparrow]

I seem to be known in my area for taking in animals, which is fine as I love having them. However I have been contacted tonight by someone who is in desperate need of a home for two lambs.

They found these lambs on a farm, orphaned, bought them and brought them back to a semi-detcahed house with a small back garden. Now their heart was in the right place, but wow. I got the email asking if I could have them as they've had them a week and they are too big and noisy and apparently the council have received noise complaints.

I have sent an email back asking if the are DEFRA registered and have a SAMU record book vaccinations, been wormed, etc.

I have 15 acres and actually have a sheep paddock, pens and converted stables. The only experience I have of any sheep date back to helping out on my Uncle's farm.

I'm not sure, but I am blown away by the situation these lambs seem to be in.

[JulieSherris]

Noisy?? Wow....

I have 2 lambs here & they're 6 weeks old now. The only time I've ever known them to be noisy is when they want their bottles & you can set your watch by them! As soon as they have had their milk, that's it for another 4 hours They have no need for the feeding lady any more, they just bugger off to chomp hay, grass, whatever else they can get their teeth into!

The rules & regulations are a bit different over here, but I have all the forms so they will be filled in - mainly because I plan to have them sent to 'the man' when the time comes. They're great little lads, but I'm glad we only have the 2 as they are quite time consuming and also very tying - I couldn't just go out for the day all the time they are still bottle feeding, for instance. Weaning will be led by them - pretty much the same as babies really, but I'm hoping these 2 lads will start to wean in about 4 to 5 weeks.

It's certainly not a cheap way of procuring a freezer full of chops, but all being well it's a project that I can see myself doing every alternative year for some time to come.

Good luck if you do decide to take them on - but check your calendar first - make sure you have a good 10 to 12 weeks to spend with them & give them the best start that you can.

[Sparrow]

Apparently they are 'around a few months old and always crying. They get two bottles a day one at night, one in the morning.'

I imagine they are younger than a few months if they have only just been picked up from a farmer, and I'd cry too if I was hungry!

I've taken in dogs, cats, horses and small furries but never lambs!

[Sparrow]

I received an email back saying they've rehomed one lamb so only have one left. I personally don't believe in keeping livestock in a solitary environment. Added to that they wouldn't answer any of my questions about registrations and history of the animal and I have had to take a step back. Can't help them all, and the word 'bargepole' came to mind unfortunately Makes me quite sad that the situation occurred in the first place.

[red]

sad indeed

can't see what else you can do

[oldjerry]

couldn't agree more,You doing the right thing.I've banged on about this too often before,but it's important to do whats best for the animal in their terms,which is not necessarily what makes US feel good. Best Wishes.

[bikinigardener]

had to catch 3 grown sheep in a large paddock, never been handled, they almost died of exhaustion...never realized they had tiny lungs...