Lambs

Lambs have a love of garden plants; however they are unable to determine which are Poisonous.

Some examples of poisonous plants include:

• Buxus (box hedging), many plants in the Forget-me-not family, Bracken/rarauhe, erica or rhododendron, camellia, daphne, azalea, daffodil, delphiniums, snowflake, snowdrops, hyacinths, hemlock, cress, red maple, oak, oleander, arum lily, ivy, five finger, swan plant, heathers, lilies, poppies, clematis, cyclamen, poinsettia, titoki, fox-gloves, snapdragons and rhubarb leaves.

Generally ribbons are allocated in three age groups - Junior, intermediate and Senior; then overall winner in the following categories.

• Rearing - and condition of the lamb. This is judged on the lamb's size for its age, so you need to know its date of birth. The lamb is also judged for excellent health.

• Leading - lambs need to walk through the course without dragging or pushing. Your lamb must walk beside you; stop when you stop. 

• Calling - the steward will hold your lamb while you walk a few metres away. Using your usual voice call the lamb - loudly and clearly. You must be able to hook its lead back on. It is best to only give the lamb half its milk on Ag Day morning, the lambs lead and call better. When you have finished, give the lamb the rest of its bottle.

• Best Dressed - A judge will make a decision on the best dressed Lamb and Child.

Rearing 

The judge wants to know how much you know about rearing your lamb. Think about the following points.

• What age is it?

• What breed is it?

• What have you done to keep it warm and safe?

• How often have you fed it?

• What have you done to look after it?

• Have you had any issues? How did you deal with this?

Leading 

Newborn lambs have poor eyesight and will follow your voice - so talk to it often so it gets used to your voice. Call your lamb at feed times. They enjoy being patted and your company, after a while it will follow you everywhere. Before feeding put a collar on and lead your lamb, walking it on your right side with its shoulder by your leg.

The lead is held firmly in the right hand and passes across the front of your body and the excess is coiled in your left hand. Adjust your pace to suit your lamb, never drag or pull your lamb or allow dogs to chase it.

Be patient and only practice for a short time. Then give the bottle of milk as a reward - even if it didn’t lead well. Lambs learn quickly to walk alongside you and will start and stop when told.

Ser up a course in your backyard and practice. 

Calling 

The steward will hold your lamb while you walk a few metres away. Using your usual voice call the lamb - loudly and clearly. You must be able to hook its lead back on. It is best to only give the lamb half its milk on Ag Day morning, the lambs lead and call better. When you have finished, give the lamb the rest of its bottle.

Best Dressed 

In this fun event, the judge will look for the most creative and well-matched outfit between the child and their lamb. Outfits can be funny, creative, or themed - it’s all about imagination!

Judges will look at:

• • How well the lamb and child’s costumes match.

  • Creativity and effort put into the design.

• NEVER use soap/shampoo as it will remove the natural oils from the lambs wool. If the lamb is very dirty you can wash excess dirt off with warm water.

• Hooves should be clean 

• Light dagging is permitted to tidy up around the lambs rear end but no trimming

• Make sure the lambs face and ears are clean.

• Remember to SMILE!