Lambing is live at Stow Bardolph farm where visitors can now help to feed the newborns
Hundreds of newborn lambs are expected at a West Norfolk farm over the next few months, with visitors invited to interact with the new arrivals.
Lambing Live started almost two weeks ago at Church Farm Stow Bardolph Rare Breeds Centre, where more than 50 new lambs have been born so far this season, which ends in early May.
Livestock manager Daniel Holliday said the farm is anticipating upwards of 450 new lambs of a variety of rare breeds this spring.
Mr Holliday said: “It’s a really important time of year for us as farmers, and for us as a petting farm.
“Lambing is hard work, and with 450 lambs expected, there’s lots of late nights and early mornings.”
Visitors to the farm are now invited to help bottle feed the orphan lambs.
“Lots of people are able to see lambing happening. We see it happening hundreds of times a year but it’s an amazing thing to see,” he added.
“They can help us feed the lambs and pet them. It’s quite nice to be able to get that close.”
The rare breeds at Church Farm are Norfolk Horn, Greyface Dartmoor, Whitefaced Woodland, Jacob, North Ronaldsay, Boreray, two- and four-horned Manx Loaghtan and Swiss Valais.
Mr Holliday said: "We welcome people of all ages to see what we are doing, especially now there is lambing.
"We try to get people as close as possible to see why it is important to keep farming these animals, and keep these rare breeds going to keep them alive."
As is usual, visitors to the farm will also be able to see the centre's horses, pigs, goats and poultry, as well as the lambs.
Church Farm's website says: "Don’t forget there will be lots of other baby animals waiting to be born during the spring as well, hopefully including piglets, ducklings, baby guinea pigs, baby giant rabbits and goat kids!"
The lambing season continues at Church Farm until May 4, and visitors can bottle feed the lambs every day from 10.30am to 11am, 12.30pm to 1pm, 2.30pm to 3pm, and 4pm to 4.30pm. The lambs are fed at the beginning of each session.
For more information, visit churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk or the Church Farm Stow Bardolph Rare Breeds Centre Facebook page.
