Information on how to prepare your lamb or goat for calf club.

1. KAIMAI SCHOOL
Calf Club
Lambs (and Goats)

2. Generally, lambs are not hard to
obtain. Although goats can be a
little harder to find than lambs
there are still goats available.
Most farmers have a few
motherless lambs each season
and if at all possible these are
given to foster ewes to feed, but
there are always some lambs that
have to be hand-fed. These are
the perfect ones to have as pets.
If you are having trouble finding
a goat/lamb please contact the
school.

3. You must remember that you are
taking the place of the orphaned
lamb’s/goat’s mother and, after a
short time, usually its reaction to
your call will result in it running
up to the fence and calling for
you too.
The more effort, time and care
you put into your lamb/goat the
better the result will be on Calf
Club day.

4. SHELTER
Prepare a small pen with shelter
in a sunny position, free from
draughts. This is necessary for
young lambs/goats, and even
older ones like shelter where
they can get out of the wind and
rain, and the sun on hot days.
Have hay in the shelter for the
lamb/goat to lie on, and keep
replacing the hay when it
becomes dirty or wet.

5. It will not be long before the
lamb/goat is quite vigorous and
will want to get out of the pen.
You will then have to tether it, or
let it run in a small, fenced,
disease free paddock. Do not
allow your lamb/goat access to
garden shrubs, as some are
poisonous (e.g. Oleander,
Kalmia, Rhododendron).
Remember to make sure that the
lamb/goat can get back to its
warm dry pen at all times,
especially at night or when the
weather can turn stormy.

6. FEEDING
Remember to do the same things in
the same order each time before a
feed.
Feed your lamb/goat “little and
often” for a start. Gradually increase
the amount of food and decrease the
number of meals. Feed three to four
times daily for six weeks on 800ml
– 1.2 litres of milk at body
temperature.
Bottles and teats should always be
kept clean as dirty equipment will
cause scouring.

7. After six weeks increase the milk
supply to 1.7 litres or more daily,
according to the appetite of the
lamb/goat.
A good indication of when the
lamb/goat has had enough is
when the flanks become level
with the sides. Never allow it to
have a bloated look.
Fresh grass to run on is
necessary for the lamb/goat. The
lamb/goat will also start eating
grass after about three weeks.

8. TIPS FOR SUCCESS
• The lambs wool should be brushed and parts such as under the front
legs, on each flank and inside the ears, can be cleaned with a damp cloth.
• Keep the lamb/goat clean by making a cover for it.
• Keep the lamb’s/goat’s bed clean and dry (fresh hay, or newspaper,
when necessary).
• Wash the feeding bottle and teat after every meal. Allow your lamb/goat
access to clean drinking water too.
• Have either a collar and lead with a snap hook on one end, or a halter
similar to that used for calves (in some cases this is more efficient) for
leading or tying up your lamb/goat.
• Provide shade in hot sunny weather.
• Don’t wash your lamb.

9. TRAINING
You should try and get your pet lamb/goat
when it is only a few days old. Whenever
possible feed it yourself, as it will only
become really friendly to you if you feed it.
To train your lamb/goat, stand with the
bottle of milk behind your back some
distance (about 10 meters) from the lamb/
goat and call it by name. When it comes to
you give it a gentle pat and feed it. At all
times be careful not to tease or frighten
your lamb/goat, as it will only be trusting
and affectionate it you are kind.
Try and make some time each day to play
with your lamb/goat so that you both get
to know each other well. Talk to it quietly
when feeding it and playing with it.

10. COMPETITION
There are three classes;
• Leading
• Call and Follow
• Child Effort

11. LEADING
Start with your right hand (palm
up) on the lead close to your
lamb’s/goat’s head and your left
hand (palm down) in line with
your left leg. This should position
the lamb’s/goat’s head just in
front of your legs. Walk at a
natural speed and try not to drag
your lamb/goat.

12. LEADING IN THE RING
3) Stop at next peg for
three seconds 2) Walk around first peg.
4) Proceed around
next peg to finish line
Finish
Start 1) Lamb is positioned
on your right side.

13. CALL AND FOLLOW
Before allowing the event to start the judge
will make sure that onlookers are aware that
the lambs/goats are easily distracted.
Quietness and restricted movement while
the event is in progress must be observed.
The judge will look for the reaction of the
lamb being held by the steward while its
owner is walking away to call it and the
reaction and answer to the child’s call.
The lamb/goat should allow the child to pat
it at the end of the call and should walk and
then run behind the child.
At the end of the run the child should catch
the lamb with ease to replace its lead.

14. CALL AND FOLLOW IN
THE RING
3) Student walks to
second peg and lamb/
4) Child turns to the goat follows
finish and walks 5m
then catch's the
lamb/goat.
2) Student walks to first
peg and calls lamb/goat.
Finish
Start 1) Lamb is held.

15. CHILD EFFORT
All lambs/goats are normally
called into the ring together, the
Judge will talk to each child and
ask them questions about their
pet.
• “When was it born”
• “How often is it fed”
• “How much does it drink”
• “What breed is it”
Learn as much as you can about
your lamb/goat.