The most popular breed is a miniature lamb. Lambs are social animals and love to be around others. They can be playful and comical animals that form close bonds with their owners. Raising one by bottle-feeding forms an even stronger bond since the lamb will think you are its mother.
Most lambs get along great with children and other pets. As long you have a female (called a ewe) or neutered male (known as a wether), you shouldn’t expect to have to make adjustments to your existing residents. Keep in mind that rams (males that have not been neutered) should be neutered as early as recommended; neutering an older ram once he shows signs of aggression is no guarantee of behavior control, and he may still pose a risk to other animals and humans.
Ongoing care is relatively minimal. If you have a wooled lamb, it will need to be sheared once or twice per year. Vaccinations are recommended every year, as well as de-worming since worms and parasites can cause anemia or death.
The Negatives
Lambs will poop and pee wherever, and whenever they need. This isn’t too conducive to an indoor-only pet, but several owners use disposable diapers and cut out a hole for the tail. These will generally last a few hours, and as the lamb grows you can switch to larger sizes or adult diapers. House training a lamb is extremely difficult if not impossible, so have a plan for the waste.
Intact males or sheep with horns can grow larger and become aggressive toward other pets and people. Horns can puncture furniture, walls and even people. This is a safety concern, so most people recommend getting neutered males and removing horns. However, dehorning is considered a cruel procedure. That’s why we urge you to choose a breed or strain that is naturally hornless (known as polled sheep). Or get a ewe rather than a ram, though you should be aware that even females can have horns.
Before you start searching for a pet lamb, check with your local laws and ordinances. Most places that allow this type of pet are rural areas. You may run into restrictions in suburban or city areas or be required to register your lamb, so do your homework first.
Another negative to consider is absence. Most kennels and sitters won’t allow you to drive on by and drop off your dog while adding a lamb to the mix. Make sure you have a plan for long absences, vacations or emergencies that require you to leave your pet. An experienced veterinarian will also be needed, so check to see which vets are near you and whether they treat livestock (specify that you are planning to get a pet lamb).
If you’re still interested in keeping a lamb as a pet, here are some other things to consider.
Containment
If your lamb will be allowed or kept outdoors, use a woven or net wire fencing. Barbed wire is not recommended; nor is tethering (tying the animal to a stake or other object by leash or rope). A lamb can get caught up in both of these and also risks injury from a predator.
Lambs need shelter from heat and cold, so be prepared to build a shelter or adapt an existing outbuilding for this purpose. One suggestion is a large doggie door on a garage.
If you’re keeping your lamb indoors only, use baby gates to block off access as desired. As lambs increase in size they may also increase in their jumping height. Be prepared to install a higher gate or door to restrict access to off-limit areas.
Nutrition
Lambs need access to clean water at all times. If you are bottle-feeding, get a replacement milk made for lambs. Sometimes goat milk replacements will work, and sometimes the lamb might encounter issues with both. Consult your veterinarian as needed. Calf milk replacement or other forms of livestock milk are not recommended.
Sheep prefer coarse grasses like timothy; your local feed store should sell an appropriate feed mix. Grain supplements are good for young or elderly lambs, but make sure that you regulate the amount you give them since overfeeding grain can cause serious harm. Lambs will eat to the point of gorging themselves, so monitor their intake. Excessive intake can also create bloat just as with dogs, and this can be fatal. Lambs also enjoy salt blocks or loose mineral salt.
Don’t let lambs eat from the garden or give them clippings. There are many non-native plants and flowers that are toxic to lambs. If you have fruit trees, you will want to fence them in. Lambs love fruit trees and will eat from them until there is nothing left.
Always make sure that anything you buy or give your lamb is specifically intended for lambs, or consult your veterinarian. Most products made for goats are acceptable too, but check first just to be sure.
Grooming
Some breeds will require shearing of their coat once or twice a year. Other breeds have a mixture of fur and wool and shed naturally. If you plan to get a lamb to sell the wool for profit, you might want to reconsider. There is very little profit or availability to sell the wool to commercial markets. They already have high-volume suppliers and pay the lowest prices. If you have local craftsmen, hand spinners, or an arts and crafts outlet nearby, they might be interested in buying the wool from you.
You will also need to have the hooves trimmed as needed on a regular basis. Doing this yourself can be difficult without experience, and once you see pink you are getting close to the nerves and blood vessels. I definitely recommend letting a professional perform this part of the grooming since improper hoof maintenance can cause pain, difficulty walking and lameness.
These recommendations are important things to consider when choosing a lamb as your next pet. It is strongly advised that you check your local supply or feed store, consulting a veterinarian who is experienced with livestock, and ensuring that you will be able to provide a safe and happy environment. If adopting a lamb sounds ideal but you just don’t have the time or space, you can adopt one online
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