They say when it comes to little ones, expect the unexpected. And that is certainly the case at Wiltshire College’s Lackham campus, where more than 50 lambs have arrived a little earlier than planned!
More than 1,000 ewes are lambing this year, who between them are expecting two sets of quads, 114 triplets, 605 twins and 253 single lambs.
The college’s annual Lambing Weekends are one of the spring highlights of the year – but the current cold spell appears to be winter’s way of saying it’s not finished yet!
Shepherdess Nikki Sandys said, “The agriculture students start their duties on Monday, so the ewes have beaten them to it this year.
“The cold weather may have had an impact but once one starts, the rest seem to follow!”
Students have been busy making pens for the newborn lambs and will be working around the clock, day and night, to help with their safe arrival.
As well as lambs, there are plenty of other things to see during the lambing weekend, which takes place this weekend, 17th and 18th March.
Visitors can enjoy a great day out, also seeing pigs, goats, donkeys, feeding the deer and meeting the smaller animals including rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets.
There is also a chance to meet their Hereford cows and calves, and see the dairy cows being milked – the milk from which goes to Cadbury.
Students from other curriculum areas are also supporting lambing, with the Aspire Salon of Hair and Beauty offering face painting and foundation studies students running a tea shop.
Tractor Ted will join them on both weekends, bringing along their bouncy castle and hosting interactive activities on the farm.
Tickets bought in advance from their online shop cost £6 per adult (over the age of 16), £4 per child or £20 per car.
If bought on the day, tickets cost £8 for adults, £6 per child or £25 per car.
Children under the age of three go free.
But your tickets now from shop.wiltshire.ac.uk.
