A Farmer’s Perspective on Lambing and Loving the Outdoors

When we talk about groups like farmers and outdoors lovers, it can be easy to forget that those two people can often overlap. We spoke to one such person at Outscape, our parent organisation. Jayne Woodrow is in the midst of lambing season but also a huge walking fan. We asked her about balancing these two parts of her life.

1 – How many lambs are you expecting this spring?

We’re expecting quite a few lambs this spring! It’s always an exciting time.

2 – What poses the greatest risk to lambs?

You might think the weather is the biggest threat to lambs, but they’re surprisingly hardy! The real danger comes from hungry foxes, especially since our land has a lot of woodland. Lambs can also be at risk from their own actions, and sometimes, new mothers can forget about them.

3 – What kind of impact can even a friendly dog have on sheep and lambs if it approaches them unexpectedly?

The only dog that should be around sheep is a trained sheepdog. These dogs know when to approach and when to back off. Sheepdogs have a natural herding instinct, meaning they gather the flock rather than scatter it. On the other hand, a pet dog that’s not used to being around sheep could panic the flock and send them running. The excitement of the chase can leave the sheep exhausted, and in some cases, a dog might even attack them.

4 – Have you had any personal experience of dogs worrying your sheep / lambs?

Unfortunately yes! A couple of years back found a large group of men out with dogs hunting foxes (without permission to be on the land). The dogs were off leads and running around in the field and woodland scattering the sheep. I had a pet sheep at the time who would come racing across the field to me. This time I found her and others in fear huddled in the far corner of the field. We kept a note of those sheep during scanning and found a significant number had aborted their lambs, likely as a result of this experience.

5- How serious is the impact if a dog were to get into a sheep with lambs / pregnant ewes? 

The impact is huge! A dog can cause a pregnant ewe to abort her lambs due to the stress. Even the friendliest dog can lead a sheep into danger. A neighbour of mine recently had to rescue a sheep that had been chased by a dog into a fast-flowing river. The dog’s owner claimed the dog was trained, but it wasn’t responding to any calls. The sheep was trembling and in danger, and the situation could have been much worse.

6 – From your perspective, what are some simple steps dog owners can take to ensure their pets don’t inadvertently worry your flock?

There are a few simple steps dog owners can follow to keep everyone safe:

• Always keep your dog on a lead when in areas with livestock.
• Pay attention to signs indicating the presence of animals, and avoid entering fields without the landowner’s permission.
• If you see a gate, leave it as you found it: keep it closed if it’s closed, and keep it open if it’s open.

7 – How important is communication between farmers and dog owners in preventing incidents, and do you have any suggestions for positive dialogue?

Communication is key! I think it’s important for dog owners to stick to waymarked trails and keep their dogs on leads around livestock. Don’t assume your dog will return to you just because it normally listens; it’s best to keep them under control. If there’s ever any doubt, ask the landowner for guidance. Respecting each other’s roles and responsibilities is crucial to keeping both the animals and the public safe.

Thanks for talking to us Jayne! You can find more information about how to stay on the Right Side of Outside here.