Lambs

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Kaimai School Calf Club

• Lambs

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Preparing for your lamb
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Generally, lambs are not hard to obtain if you
are determined to have one
Most farmers have a few motherless lambs each
season and if at all possible these are given to
foster ewes to feed, but there are always some
lambs that have to be hand-fed
These are the ones to have as pets
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You must remember that you are taking the place
of the orphaned lambs mother and usually its
reaction to your call will be at the run and
bleating. You will gain great satisfaction from
the lambs response to you.
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If a lamb is newly born, and is in poor condition
the first important task is to make it warm. This
can be done by placing it in a sack-lined box. If
it is cold and wet it can be given a reasonably
warm bath and rubbed briskly till dry.
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Shelter
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Prepare a small pen with a shelter in it in a
sunny position, free from draughts. This is
necessary for young lambs, and even older lambs
like a shelter where they can get out of the wind
and rain, and the sun on hot days.
Have hay in the shelter for the lamb to lie on,
and keep replacing the hay when it becomes dirty
or wet.
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It will not be long before the lamb is quite
vigorous and will want to get out of the pen. You
will then have to tether it or let it run in a
small, fenced, disease free paddock, do not allow
your lamb access to garden shrubs (as some are
poisonous e.g. Oleander, Kalmia, Rhododendron)
but remember to make sure that the lamb can get
back to its warm dry pen at all times, especially
at night or when the weather turns stormy.
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Care and Feeding
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Remember to do the same things in the same order
each time before a feed. (See most obvious pet
section Training your lamb).
For the first two days your lamb must be fed with
milk which contains as much goodness as the
colostrum (ewes milk) it would normally get from
its mother.
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The following is a good recipe

• a) Half pint of good cows milk
• (dried milk will do)
• b) One lightly beaten egg
• c) One teaspoon of sugar or glucose
• d) Milk powder already mixed can be bought.

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After two days of Lamb Mix, plain milk will be
satisfactory.
Feed your lamb little and often for a start.
Gradually increase the amount of food and
decrease the number of meals. Feed three to four
times daily for six weeks on 800ml 1.2 l of
milk at blood heat. Bottles and teats should
always be kept clean as dirty equipment will
cause scouring. (Follow label instructions if
using powdered formula)
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After six weeks increase the milk supply to 1.7 l
or more daily, according to the appetite of the
lamb. A good indication of when the lamb has had
enough is when the flanks become level with the
sides. Never allow it to have a bloated look.
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Fresh grass to run on is very necessary the lamb
will also start eating grass after about three
weeks.
When father is docking his lambs, see that he
does not overlook your pet.
Perhaps you may have to ask some sheep farmer to
dock your lamb for you. If possible see how it is
done.
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Things to Remember
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• The lambs wool should be brushed and parts such
  as under the front legs, on each flank and inside
  the ears, can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

• Keep the lambs wool clean by making a cover for
  it.
• Keep the lambs bed clean and dry (fresh hay when
  necessary/ newspaper makes good bedding also, and
  can be burned when dirty).
• Wash the feeding bottle and teat after every
  meal. Allow your lamb access to clean drinking
  water.
• Provide shade in hot sunny weather.

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• Never force the lamb to drink too much.

• Never keep your lamb in a cold draughty pen.
• Never feed with dirty utensils.
• Dont wash your lamb.
• Have either a collar and lead with a snap hook on
  one end or a halter similar to that used for
  calves (in some cases this is more efficient) for
  leading or tying up your lamb.

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You should try and get your pet lamb when it is
only a few days old and start looking after it
from then on. Whenever possible feed your lamb
yourself, as it will only become really friendly
to you if you feed it. To train it to call, stand
with the bottle of milk behind your back some
distance (about 10 mtrs) from the lamb and call
it by name. When it comes to you give it a gentle
pat and feed it. At all times be careful not to
tease or frighten your lamb, as it will only be
trusting and affectionate it you are kind to it.
Try and make some time each day to play with your
lamb and caress it so that you both get to know
each other well. Talk to it quietly when feeding
it and playing with it.
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As it grows older make sure the lamb is kept
clean, has plenty of good fresh grass to eat and
clean water to drink. Do not rely on just bottles
of milk for food. Always make sure that you wash
its bottle thoroughly after each meal. It is also
important to see that your lamb has a warm dry
place to sleep at night and to be able to get out
of the rain.
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By school club day your lamb should be so
friendly that it will follow you everywhere,
coming when called, whether or not you have a
bottle of milk. Before club day practice these
things
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Note

• A lamb judge from your district usually comes to
  your school to give you a talk on how to present
  your lamb for your school day and how to look
  after it.

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Training your lamb
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Leading
Start with your right hand (palm up) on the lead
close to your lambs head and your left hand (palm
down) in line with your left leg. This should
position the lambs head just in front of your
legs.
Walk at a natural speed, not dragging your lamb.
If possible set up a ring at home to
practice or just use pegs
Practice stopping and starting your lamb.
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Leading
Stage 2 Proceed around next peg to finish
line.
Stage 1 Lamb is positioned on your right
side. Walk around first peg, and stop at next peg
for three seconds.
Note Judge may instruct a turn at the third peg
listen carefully!
Finish
Start
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Call and Follow
Before allowing the event to start the judge
should make sure that onlookers are aware that
the lambs are easily distracted. Quietness and
restricted movement while the event is in
progress must be observed.
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Ensure that the official who is holding the lamb
to be called knows the procedure and when to let
the lamb go after it has spotted its owner. Make
sure the children know what you want them to do.
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The main points to watch for and assess are

• The reaction of the lamb being held by the
  steward while its owner is walking away to call
  it.
• The reaction and answer to the childs call.
• The lamb should allow the child to pat it at the
  end of the call.
• The lamb should walk and then run contentedly
  behind the child.
• At the end of the run the child should catch the
  lamb with ease to replace its lead.

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Stage 1
Get someone to hold your lamb, stand about 5
metres away from it, and call it. When it comes
give a little pat for a good effort.
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Stage 2
Walk along with your lamb following behind. Be
careful not to walk too fast for it.
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Stage 3
Run along with your lamb running behind. After
running about five metres stop and catch your
lamb. Practice catching it quietly. Remember the
judge will be watching as it helps him to know
whether your lamb is really friendly or just
hungry. Demonstrating the friendliness of your
lamb will help you and it to get used to parading
before other people.
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Note
These 3 stages can be taught to your lamb by
means of giving it a drink at each stage while it
is young and when it gets older only give a drink
at the finish then gradually cut out the drink,
so the lamb will do the three stages without a
drink.
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Stage 2 The Follow Child walks to the
second peg with the lamb following.
Stage 3 The Catch Child turns to the finish
and walks 5m then catch's the lamb.
Stage 1 The Call Child walks to the first
Peg and calls lamb.
Start Someone holds lamb
Finish
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Child effort.
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This section is one which is ideally suited to
club work as it involves true child effort. It is
therefore one of the most important classes.
All lambs are normally called into the ring
together, the Judge will talk to each child and
ask them questions about their lamb.
How much does it drink
When was it born
What breed is it
How often is it fed
Learn as much as you can about your lamb
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Presenting your lamb for Judging

• Ensure collar fits well not too tight or loose.
• Clean under chin, inside ears and hooves with a
  damp cloth.
• Wash off or brush away any signs of manure.
• Give lamb one last brush.
• Look neat and tidy yourself.

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So good luck....
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