We Keep Sheep

What’s involved?

Thanks for agreeing to check in on the sheep. Here’s a little more detail about what the checklist means.

Fresh grass, fresh faces...

Since the last Sheep Check guide, a few things have changed:

• We've welcomed new cooperative members
• Our flock has grown to 14 sheep
• We've moved to fresh grass

First up, where are the sheep?

The sheep have been moved to the Rooks Orchard paddock (outlined in green) further up the hill in Little Wittenham. Note — if arriving by car, you can park in front of the gate.

Sheep aren’t terribly good at preserving their own lives, so we’re looking to check in on them every day.

It sounds slightly ridiculous, but it’s important that we account for all of them, so please count all 14 when you arrive.

We also want to catch any obvious health problems early. Have a quick look to make sure they’re alert, moving normally and don’t appear injured or lame. If anything looks off, pop a message in the group with a photo of the lamb in question.

Water

The water trough is now in front of the small outbuilding you'll see when you enter the paddock. Please make sure the trough is topped up every time you visit. The tap is right above the trough.

Food

You'll find their food in the lean-to, in rodent-proof storage. They only need a few handfuls for bucket training.

Bucket training

Bucket training proved its worth when we moved the sheep through Little Wittenham. If you shake a bucket with sheep nuts (pellets) in it, they come running. Don’t worry, they won’t trample you, although they do get excited.

If you can, lead them for a walk through the paddock while shaking the bucket. It will make life easier when we need to move them, inspect them more closely, or carry out any treatment. You can spread some sheep nuts on the black "plates", which have been moved to the new paddock.

By checking on the sheep, you’re contributing to the day-to-day operation of the cooperative. We want those contributions to be recorded and recognised.

Once you’ve finished your check, please post a photo of all 14 sheep in the group. We’ll use that photo as a simple record of your contribution — and as a bonus, we’ll end up with a nice record of the sheep as they grow.