Once the preparations had been made for the arrival of orphan lambs, the carers waited for each lamb to come roaring up on the back of a quad bike. The lamb was given colostrum (substitute first milk), heat and comfort by whoever was on duty. We kept them warm under heat lamps and monitored for any health issues. Giving the lambs names was fatal as it changes the relationship. It was no longer so possible to maintain a distance. Even just numbering them has the same effect. Farm animals are reared for food production but trying to comfort and welcome each lamb in to the world and seeing their personalities develop made it hard (for me) to detach especially if one struggles – then you fight for them to survive and nurse them back to health. I only named one lamb out of 25 which was Amelie 13. Usually the ewe has an attentive relationship with the lamb until breeding season but in the absence of the mother, relationships with the other lambs becomes important as they give each other affection and learn together how to be sheep. I have seen this before with other species that they learn and carry out natural behaviour without being taught by an adult of their species; when behaviour is innate.
When there is more than one animal living together, it takes patience when there are so many; but I find each animal needs individual time. I started this during bottle feeding where I would separate each lamb I was feeding and bring it across to sit and be given individual attention. This way the carer can get to know the personalities of each animal and a trust is developed. This helps when later health treatment may need to be given. It is less stressful for the animal and makes it easier to give treatment. When I have worked with other animals, sometimes they will ‘protest’ if they do not have their own space.
During their time in the stable, the orphan lambs got to know an orphan calf, accepting Titan as one of them. They were bottle fed by the public a few times a day and participated in usual lamb activities like gambolling, sunbathing and making friends. Before they were supposed to be released to grass, there was one incident where a caregiver looked out her window and found them all frolicking in the field. She called me and we all rushed out. I had earlier heard them baaing in alarm or excitement and gone out to check but found nothing. Apparently they had broken down the gate but not ventured out till later – as they had all looked back at me innocently when I had checked. A few of us that were alerted put them back in their stable area and finished the little evening adventure.
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After about a month, each lamb finally goes out to pasture where they explore and expand their world. The lambs were happy when visitors came and delighted when they encountered haystacks to play on.
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