NEWS - May 2009
New Arrivals
Daisy and her lamb Dinah
For obvious reasons we don’t breed from any of our animals but sometimes accidents do happen. When older rams come to us they are not neutered as this is not a safe procedure for them and carries a high mortality rate. We keep them away from the ewes in a field across the road from the main farm. However, some of the really elderly need much closer supervision and are kept at the main farm. Milford is one of these and was believed infertile. However, this year what little testosterone he has left got the better of him, he decided to try his luck with the ladies in the paddock next door. Threading his way through the fence he cunningly picked on Daisy, who is blind, stalking her from the rear. She wasn’t aware of his amorous intentions until it was too late. So early in April, Daisy, our wonderful middle aged ewe, had her first lamb. It was a difficult birth for them both but, as you can see from their picture, she and Dinah are both very well. Daisy has made a first class Mum.
Frances
Frances was due to be culled – or sent for slaughter - because she was past her best at around 5 years old. This would be because she hadn’t lambed, or her teeth needed some veterinary attention, or her lamb/s had died. However, Frances was no longer considered commercially viable by the farmer. Some of his other sheep and lambs are featured in the photographs on the Lambing Season Page. These photographs are distressing. Adam the lamb came from the field where these photographs were taken. So, Frances was bought from this farmer and brought back to the Sanctuary a very fortunate girl to have survived his husbandry or rather lack of it in the first place and then to come to us. She settled the moment her hooves touched the straw in the barn. She has put on weight and just loves her new companions including the human ones. She needs a sponsor. So if you would like Frances’ picture to adorn your mantelpiece please contact us.
