Hundreds of local families will be flocking to Reaseheath College, Nantwich, during the first two weekends of March to welcome the first lambs of the season.
The lambing weekends have been a major draw to the college over the past 21 years, with many visitors returning each season to meet the newborns and hopefully to experience a live birth.
Reaseheath’s 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 4 and 5 (10am – 4pm) and again on March 11 and 12.
The college has a flock of 550 expectant ewes which will produce around 1,200 lambs by mid-April. Six sets of quads and 208 sets of triplets are expected, along with 255 sets of twins and 59 single lambs.
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. There will also be demonstrations of sheepdog handling.
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, amphibians and fish. Activities will include face painting and educational talks by Reaseheath zoo keepers.
Reaseheath shepherd Simon Baskerville is in charge of the lambing flock helped by a rota of Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture students who are gaining practical experience in the lambing sheds.
Simon 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.”
Find out more at www.reaseheath.ac.uk/lambing
