Tatton Park’s Farm re-opened this week after a lockdown winter, and some lovely new arrivals are greeting visitors back this spring. “We’ve welcomed 26 healthy little lambs and they are already skipping round the lambing shed” says Elly Edwards, Tatton Park Farm Assistant and resident sheep expert. “We are so pleased with how lambing has gone. It’s our absolute favourite time of year, helping to bring new life into the world and we’re just delighted to be open again so everyone can enjoy the lambs.”
Counting sheep
Elly and the team work hard throughout the winter months to synchronise the ewes to all lamb at roughly the same time. A specialist sheep scanner visited the Farm in early February to check on the ewes and count unborn sheep. “Once we have this information,” explains Elly “we can give the expectant ewes the correct care and feed for the number of lambs they are carrying, to ensure the best possible results for all the animals.”
Spring has sprung and the Farm gates are open to visitors
As well as the fleecey stars of the show, the Farm has also welcomed its first newborn chicks this week and piglets were born three weeks ago, making it feel more like spring than ever. These baby animals join Farmyard favourites such as cows, donkeys and geese. You can also meet several rare breed animals including the Leicester Longwool Sheep, Clydesdale Horses, Tamworth Pigs and Golden Guernsey Goats, all of which are on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s watch-list. Tatton Park’s Farm is an Approved Conservation Centre for the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, and these breeds’ numbers are maintained thanks only to the dedication and hard work of the Farm staff.
Fun Troll Trail until Sunday 18 April
Grub the evil Troll is on the loose at the Farm! Can you help the spring lambs escape by finding the materials you need to build a bridge? Use your trail sheet to write down everything you need, stop off for a selfie with Grub in the woodland and don't forget to collect your sticker reward at the end! All tickets to the Farm must be pre-booked online at tattonpark.org.uk
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