Sheeps

Spring on Texel

There are more than 11,000 lambs in the Texel meadows in springtime. Texel is a traditional sheep farming island: the sheep population is nearly as large as the human population of 14,000. The sheep are bred on small scale sheep farms in the gently rolling ‘old land' of Texel. They add to the charms of a cycle ride or walk through this unique landscape, with its sheep barns and turf walls.

Lambing: a busy time of year

The farmers know accurately when the lambs are due to be born. The pregnancy is precisely five days less than five months after conception. The lambing time reaches its peak in March. This is a busy time for sheep farmers because the Texel sheep have to be intensively assisted during delivery. Farmers frequently check on their sheep during the night. Some farmers sleep in the stall so that they can keep an eye on their sheep. There is even an operating room set up in the form of a table under a lamp, in case the vet has to deliver lambs by caesarean.

'Harden up'

The lambs are put in a pen with their mother for the first few days so that she can get used to the scent of her offspring. Then they are put outside so that the lambs can ‘harden up'. The lambs can withstand the cold well. Texel sheep can adapt to all weather conditions and are outside in the fields all year round. The farmers check their sheep at least once a day, also out of lambing time.

Foster mothers

A sheep's udder has two teats. When triplets are born that is one too few. Many farmers then try to get one of the lambs to ‘transfer' to another mother which has a spare udder. This foster mother could also be a goat. The lamb can also be put on the lamb- bar, which is a sort of milk machine with fake udders.

Amniotic fluid

If it is suspected that a sheep is carrying only one lamb, then the amniotic fluid is saved after birth. The lamb to be fostered is then rubbed in with this liquid to make sure that the foster mother accepts it. The same can also be done with salt water.

Ear tags

All lambs receive a yellow ear tag with a number which they will carry for the rest of their lives. This is necessary for the identification and registration of animals. Sheep can only be sold, transported or slaughtered with this identification number. This is to prevent disease spreading.

Sheep barns and garden walls

The gently rolling Hoge Berg area between Den Burg and Oudeschild is a traditional sheep farming area. The sheep barns and garden walls are typical of this landscape. Sheep barns are asymmetrical barns which stand with their backs facing the prevailing south west wind. Garden walls are land borders made of grass sods, which are similar to low English hedges.

Lamb routes

The best lamb routes can be found in the Texel Tourist Information guide ‘Fiets- en wandelroutes' (Cycle and walking routes). The Southern and eastern routes are especially suitable.