Baby Thomas, our orphan lamb

Here is Thomas.

He was going to be 'snowflake', but as he is a boy our little girl decided he might be a Thomas instead.

We just picked him up today, but the farmer thinks he may be about a week old as he is so big, and timid.

Either way he was a stray all day, and so we have the opportunity to raise him.

Most orphan lambs will be ram lambs, as they are generally larger, yet weaker, so are more likely to have been difficult births, and so get rejected.

There were tears when she found out he was a boy! Oh dear! But now he is very loved even so.

The boys want one now, so I've said if they ever get another, we'd be grateful.

As you can see he is in a jumper. The last thing I want is for him to die of cold, but as he is so big, it already looks small. He would naturally snuggle up to his mother for warmth, so a jumper is nice.

He is a really good feeder. We'll start him on six small feeds a day for now. How luxurious compared to human baby timetables!

Welcome Thomas!