LAMB FOSTERING SYSTEM

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for use in sheep farming, and in particular for use in the fostering of orphaned lambs wherein the apparatus (1) is used to restrain a ewe so that she cannot see or smell an orphaned lamb and therefore is less likely to reject it. The apparatus (1) is both free standing and portable, therefore it is both efficient, as it can be used when and where required, and easy to clean.

Description: Lamb Fostering System The present invention relates to apparatus for use in the fostering of orphaned lambs. During the lambing season, lambs who have been orphaned are λ twinned' with ewes whose own lambs may have died. However, it is not guaranteed that the ewe will take on the lamb, which necessitates the shepherd rearing the lamb by hand, which is extremely time-consuming for the shepherd, especially around lambing time when he has many lambs to attend to. Even if the lamb is eventually ^adopted' by the ewe, this may take around three or four days. The ewe may have to be removed from the lambing field in order to foster the lamb in a pen or shed, which is stressful for the ewe and again requires a great deal of time and effort from the shepherd. The shepherd must also take care that disease is not spread amongst his flock when equipment is passed between different ewes and their foster lambs. In the prior art, methods and apparatus are known which encourage the ewe to adopt the orphaned lamb or lambs. Fresh afterbirth may be rubbed onto the lamb, or identical spray used on the lamb and the ewe's nose, or the skin of the ewe's dead lamb put on the orphaned one, so that the ewe is led to believe that the lamb is hers by recognising its scent. However, these methods may take a reasonably long time to work (or fail to work altogether.) They are also far from hygienic and therefore do not discourage the spread of disease. Finally, they require effort and attention from the shepherd, thus taking away from the time he or she has to perform his or her other duties. Another method by which ewes are encouraged to foster lambs is through use of head yokes. These are placed around the ewe's neck and fixed to a wall or immovable object, so that she cannot see or smell the orphaned lamb and is therefore less likely to reject it. Such yoke systems are known in British Patent Nos GB2048044 and GB2064286. However, both these patents refer to systems which are permanently or semi-permanently attached to a pen or enclosure. This attachment means that the apparatus cannot be easily removed and cleaned after use, and therefore encourages the spread of disease. It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for use in the fostering of orphaned lambs which is free-standing and portable. According to the present invention there is provided a free-standing lamb fostering system in the form of a ewe restraining device comprising a neck yoke, two retaining sides and a floor. Preferably, the system can be folded flat and is thus easily portable. Optionally, the system may have means for fixing to a building or other structure. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining sides are formed from an open rail structure. Optionally, the retaining sides are of solid construction. The neck yoke may be adjustable to accommodate different sizes or breeds of ewe. Preferably, the yoke is adjusted to suit each ewe, having a large enough width that no pressure is placed on the ewe's neck, but a small enough width that the ewe's head movement is restricted. Optionally, the neck yoke is in the form of gates of equal size, held together by a locking bar. Optionally, a feed and water bucket can be attached to the system, allowing the ewe to feed and drink at will without requiring assistance from the shepherd. In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention, an example will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 illustrates the lamb fostering system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a plan view of the lamb fostering system of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a front elevation of the lamb fostering system of Figure 1; and Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the lamb fostering system of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 1, a lamb fostering system is generally depicted at 1 comprising a neck yoke 2, a floor 3 and side retainers in the form of shielding sides 4. The neck yoke 2 is held closed by locking bar 5. The lamb fostering system may be used in the following way. The ewe is moved onto the floor 3 of the lamb fostering system 1, and protected once in position by shielding sides 4. The lamb fostering system 1 can be assembled in any situation as it is fully portable, with very little effort and being required of the shepherd. The ewe's head is placed in neck yoke 2, which is then held securely together by locking bar 5. The orphaned lamb can then gain unimpeded access to the ewe, and she is prevented from physically pushing the lamb away. Once the λ twinning' process has been successfully achieved, the lamb fostering system can be easily disassembled, fully cleaned, and is then ready for its next use without entailing the risk of disease being spread via the apparatus. An advantage of the present invention is that it is fully portable and free-standing, therefore does not require to be attached to a wall or pen or any such immovable object and can be taken to wherever the ewe is. This is less stressful for the ewe and lamb, and requires much less time and effort from the shepherd. A further advantage of the present invention is that it can be set up in any circumstance immedia tely after a problem has occurred, thus facilitating efficient and less stressful λ twinning' between ewe and lamb. A yet further advantage of the present invention is that it is easy to disassemble and thoroughly clean, thus preventing the spread of disease which may build up as a result of the sharing of the apparatus between ewes. A yet further advantage of the present invention is that it is more efficient in encouraging the ewe to accept the orphaned lamb, as she cannot physically reject it. A yet further advantage of the present invention is that it allows the lambs or lambs full access all around the ewe, allowing them to grow used to her scent. A yet further advantage of the present invention is that it can be adapted to render the ewe self-watering and feeding, thus further decreasing the demands of the fostering process on the shepherd's time. Further modifications and improvements may be added without departing from the scope of the invention herein intended.

Claims: Claims 1. A free standing lamb fostering system in the form of a ewe restraining device comprising a neck yoke, two retaining sides and a floor. 2. A free standing lamb fostering system as described in Claim 1 which can be folded flat and is therefore easily portable. 3. A free standing lamb fostering system as described in either of the previous Claims wherein the system has means for fixing to a building or other structure. 4. A free standing lamb fostering system as described in any of the preceding Claims wherein the retaining sides are formed from an open rail structure. 5. A free standing lamb fostering system as described in Claims 1 to 3 where the retaining sides are of solid construction. 6. A free standing lamb fostering system as described in any of the preceding Claims where the neck yoke is adjustable to accommodate different sizes or breeds of ewe. 7. A free standing lamb fostering system as described in Claim 6, wherein the yoke is adjusted so that it is wide enough that no pressure is placed on the ewe' s neck but the width of the yoke is small enough that the ewe's head movement is restricted. 8. A free standing lamb fostering system as described in any of the preceding Claims wherein the neck yoke is in the form of gates of equal size, held together by a locking bar. 9. A free standing lamb fostering system as described in any of the preceding Claims wherein a feed and water bucket can be attached to the system allowing the ewe to feed and drink at will without requiring assistance from the shepherd.

Inventors: BRYSON MUNGO, BRYSON, MUNGO
Applicants: BRYSON MUNGO, BRYSON, MUNGO
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A01K1
IPC codes: A01K1