Lambs herald Spring at Reaseheath College
Hundreds of local families are expected to flock to Reaseheath College in Nantwich this weekend for the first of two lambing events.
Spring has already arrived in the college’s lambing sheds with the arrival of the first newborns of the season. The lambing weekends have been a major draw to the college over the past 20 years, with many visitors returning each season to meet the lambs and hopefully experience a live birth.
Agriculture student Matt Broady with an early arrival
The campus zoo, which is one of the best at any educational institution in the country, is also open to the public. Both attractions are open on March 5 and 6 (10am – 4pm) and again on March 12 and 13.
The college has a flock of 500 expectant ewes which will produce 1,000 lambs before the end of the month. Three sets of quads and 59 sets of triplets are expected. During quiet times in the lambing sheds, visitors can watch a big screen showing highlights of the action and watch experts demonstrating the special care required for the delivery and care of the lambs.
Reaseheath’s zoo houses over 1,000 animals including meerkats, lemurs, tapirs, otters, birds of prey, companion animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs, reptiles and amphibians. Activities include face painting and educational talks by Reaseheath zoo keepers.
Reaseheath’s sheep unit manager Ollie Bagley, 23, a former Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture student, is in charge of the lambing flock helped by a rota of current students who are gaining practical experience in the lambing sheds.
He said: “Lambing is traditionally the first sign of spring and this event is always very popular. Opening the lambing sheds gives us the chance to show what we do here. As well as giving the public the unique experience of seeing lambs being born, it is also a great opportunity for us to tell them about the farming calendar and about the food on their plate.”
A family ticket for both attractions is £25
Find out more at www.reaseheath.ac.uk/lambing
