2008 LAMBING SEASON - BARN VISITS (Closed after March 28, 2008)
Sponsored by Oregon State University Animal Sciences Department Sheep Unit
OSU Sheep Unit
7565 NW Oak Creek
Corvallis, Oregon
The OSU Sheep Center is a delightful place to visit during lambing season. Tours are self-guided; however, to keep an even, steady flow of visitors, we like to schedule times for visits of large groups (greater than 12). This year, lambing season is from March 5 through March 28. Open hours are weekdays AND weekends from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The barn is closed to tours and individuals after March 28. There is no charge for the self-guided tour; however, visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the Linn-Benton Food Share.
To schedule a visit, e-mail: lambing.barn@oregonstate.edu An OUT OF OFFICE auto response will be sent back to you with further instructions .
Please Note: While we welcome visitors to our farm, we also want to caution them about the possibility, however small, of transmission of disease from animals to humans. Though we have never had a problem with this in the past, and do not expect a problem, it is only wise, in light of Oregon’s E. coli outbreak in 2002, to take precautions against such an event. Therefore, when you visit our lambing barn (or other farm facility), please adhere to the following rules:
NO TOUCHING OF ANIMALS
NO FOOD OR DRINKS
NO DOGS
NO RUNNING
NO LOUD NOISES
NO ENTERING OF PENS OR STAFF ONLY AREAS
NO CLIMBING ON GATES
(It is also unwise to bring in toys/pacifiers)
OBSERVE VISITING HOURS
PLEASE WASH HANDS AT HAND WASHING STATION AFTER VISIT
(Adults – please supervise children under 5 years.)
The sheep at the OSU Lambing barn may carry diseases that are infectious to humans. Small children, pregnant women, the elderly and immunosuppressed individuals may be especially vulnerable to these zoonotic diseases.
Many veterinarians and health care professionals advise such persons to avoid contact with pregnant sheep and their environment.
For more information see the CDC's web pages:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/default.htm
An internet search of "Zoonotic Diseases of Sheep" will provide abundant additional information on this topic. A quick overview is available on this page:
http://www.pipevet.com/articles/zoonotic.htm
Finally, we request that anyone who has been abroad during the past two weeks hold their visit for a later date. This is a precaution against spread of disease to our farm animals.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
Visits generally last about one hour.
Visitors are not allowed to touch animals and must use the hand washing station after visiting the lambing barn.
Enough adults should accompany students to maintain behavior and to assist with hand washing.
Yes, the visits are self-guided. Staff and students generally do not have time to answer more than a few questions.
Visitors should car pool as much as possible as parking is very limited
The barn is open on one side with cement alleyways so wear a warm coat, hat and gloves and school shoes.
Our driveway is very narrow with a lot of traffic. For your child's safety please do not include walking up the driveway as part of your visit.
Directions to the OSU Sheep Center:
Take Hwy 34 over the Willamette River into Corvallis (you will be on Harrison Blvd). Stay on Harrison Blvd., keeping in the middle lane, until you reach the western edge of the city. Just before the intersection of Harrison Blvd. and 53rd Street, you will pass the OSU Dairy Center on the left and a large Mormon church on the right. At the next intersection, there will be a stop light with the Fair Grounds just a couple of blocks to the south. At this intersection, Harrison Blvd. becomes Oak Creek Road (and 53rd becomes Walnut Blvd.). Proceed across the intersection, and follow Oak Creek Road 1.8 miles, until you see the OSU Sheep Center sign on your right. Turn right onto the gravel road winding uphill - you'll find the Sheep Center at the top of the hill.
