Blog

It’s all hands on deck this month as we prepare for lambing season! 

All the sheep are in now and we are kept busy keeping their insatiable appetites fed! The lambing pens are disinfected and prepared for our new arrivals. The sheep are monitored closely for signs of going into labour. Signs such as pacing, circling, smelling the ground, bleating excessively and of course putting out a water sack and straining will alert us that there is an impending birth. We let them give birth by themselves and only intervene if we feel they need help. 

As soon as the lamb is born it is important to clear its airway of any birthing fluids so it can breathe properly. We then, spray its umbilical  cord with iodine to prevent infection. It is, then, really important to get the lamb to take its first suck of colostrum from its mother. Colostrum is full of nutrients and antibodies, so we must ensure that  all lambs get a good bellyful to set them up for life. 

In the coming days we must watch the mother closely to ensure she has made a full recovery and is eating ok. The lambs are watched closely to ensure they are full and to monitor for signs of scour and sore eyes.

We let them out for a few hours, during the day, when the weather allows, but keep them in at night till the lambs are strong enough to outsmart the fox!

When they’re 7-10 days old they can go to a well sheltered field with new grass and stay out at night. The new lambs are vaccinated at 2 and 6 weeks old and dosed for worms at 3 weeks old. Again, it is really important to watch them closely to see that lambs continue to thrive and are healthy and well. Lameness, worms, meningitis and pneumonia are some of the most common ailments to watch out for and treat!

As Winter continues, grass is beginning to run low on the farm. The sheep are now 3-4 months pregnant and it is very important to check their body condition regularly so that any that are getting thin can be fed supplemental feed. We keep our fatter ewes out for as long as possible to finish off the bad grass and allow lovely sweat fresh grass to grow up in its place. The thinner ewes and ones that are carrying multiple lambs are now in the house being fed silage and meal. As they get closer to their due dates, their energy requirements increase, so we must increase their meal portions on a weekly basis. All expectant mums are given their yearly vaccinations 2-8 weeks pre-lambing and are also dosed for fluke (a parasite that attacks the liver and spreads in wet conditions)

It is important this time of year to ensure that all outside animals have good shelter from the harsh Winter weather. The pony, donkey and pigs have their own sheds to snuggle up in at night and can stay in if the weather is particularly harsh so they don’t damage the field or catch pneumonia.

The goats were going out to the paddock during the day but they hate the rain so much that they spent most of the time crying to come back in, so we decided to leave them in full-time till the weather improves and they are much happier now! We have been blessed with the arrival of 4 beautiful kids who are keeping us entertained with their funny antics! We can’t wait for you to meet them!

Santa Claus was very good to me this year and brought me a beautiful Alpaca called Pom Pom, who is just adorable, and has settled in well to Wooly Farm. She is due to have a baby cria this summer, which will be so exciting! We also hope to add 3 more alpacas to the herd over the next few months, so watch this space!

Welcome to the new website for Wooly Farm! We are so excited to have launched our new website and invite you to explore all that we have to offer. At Wooly Farm, we provide a unique and educational petting farm experience for kids and adults of all ages. Our mobile petting farm features a variety of friendly animals including sheep, goats, bunnies, and chickens, all raised with love and care.

We are committed to providing an unforgettable experience that helps children and adults alike to learn more about farm animals and the importance of animal welfare. Our knowledgeable staff will answer any questions you may have and make sure that your visit is both fun and educational.

We look forward to welcoming you to our farm soon!