Orphan Lambs and Foxes

5 posts

Member for

6 years 3 months
Last seen: 10/06/2020 - 09:11
Joined: 12/01/2017 - 09:30

Orphan Lambs and Foxes

I have three orphaned dorper lambs, they are coming up to 8 weeks old and I am still locking them in a fox proof pen at night. I weaned them a few days ago and they are happy to go to bed for lamb pellets and spend the day munching in the paddock. They have been mixing with my five adult sheep this week and tonight seemed reluctant to leave them, just wondering when they will be safe from foxes as I know we have some on the property? They would be from 8 to 10 kilos now.

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Last seen: 03/19/2024 - 11:03
Joined: 02/28/2011 - 14:19

Hi,

Welcome to the hobby farm forum and thanks for the questions.

At 2 months of age they should be reasonably safe from foxes, especially if they are not on their own and running with the rest of the herd.

If you wanted to make sure of their safety you could lock them up for the night and let them out during the day for another month or so until they get a bit more weight and size about them.

I have also shared your question over at our Facebook discussion group which you might like to join, the link is below
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FarmStyle

Regards,
Charlie

Last seen: 10/06/2020 - 09:11
Joined: 12/01/2017 - 09:30

Thanks for all the responses, we tried out the new cattle scales and found they weighed 12, 14 and 16 kilos so let them stay out with the big sheep in a small yard next to the house then it poured with rain and blew a gale all night. The little guys had access to their shed so took themselves off to it for the night but this morning, after a clear night, they were all lying down together under a tree. I think they are home free from foxes now.

Last seen: 01/19/2021 - 21:16
Joined: 12/12/2020 - 23:24

We once had such a huge problem with foxes that we had to put up a huge wall fence, otherwise they blew up our old fence and stole everything, we even gave away our little dogs for some period at https://kip.com.au /, because they were afraid that the foxes would take them away ((

Last seen: 04/06/2021 - 19:28
Joined: 04/01/2021 - 15:40

Hi, I am in the process of building a home at Innisplan and researching the homing of Dorper Lambs. The purpose is to carry low maintenance livestock to keep the grass low and be kind to the land. Possible share with a horse or two and would like to hear thoughts and comments. Thanks Garry

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