pet lambs

[Goofy]

we have a field that is not being grazed at all, and thought to get (next spring) some lambs. Any ideas as to how to get them?
(S.W. Scotland)

[dmsjps]

You just go to a livestock market and register as a buyer (as in any other auction), bid high enough and that's it, they're yours. But if you don't know how you can get them, are you sure you know what you'd be taking on? It's not just a case of 'buy lambs, put in field, leave to graze until ready for slaughter'.

 

Sorry, I just read through that bit and it sounds rude, but I don't mean it to be, just please look into it before you just do it off the cuff - for the sake of the lambs and for your sake too.

[Goofy]

I never do anything without looking into it. Will be getting books from library for next 6 months.
Also, we have varoius neighbours who farm sheep, so will have advice on hand.

[Clanad]

If you'll go to a farm that raises sheep and talk to them you'll find that, in the spring when the lambs are born, numerous ewes have lambs that they won't claim and will not let suckle.  These orphan lambs can be bought for very little investment, since the farmer usually has no time to feed them by bottle.  This also happens when ewes have triplets. Raising orphan lambs by hand is not difficult, but they will need feeding aobut every 4 hours or so until they are 3 or 4 weeks old.  Here in the western U.S., orphan lambs are often given away to kids in 4-H livestock projects.  You'll have to know how to dock and castrate them, which isn't difficult given the state of the art. (At one time not long ago, castration was done by the owner's pulling the testicles out with their teeth)... they'll also need shots for blackleg which you can administer with supplies from the veterinarian.  Don't get attached emotionally, since they are actually lamb chops on the hoof.  I would look for a farmer raising a breed usually raised for meat and not wool.  Any black face sheep (Suffolk, Hampshire, etc.) are meat sheep... Be sure to check your area for security concerning dogs and foxes...Good Luck!