Author Topic: New lamb (Read 1243 times)

Flower2sew · « **on:** March 30, 2017, 02:27:28 pm »

New to sheep. We have 5 sheep and 2 lambs. They are Babydoll Southdown. First one lambed with no issues. There it was in the field. 2nd one, mom was huge and last week we had to drench her when it looked like she might be starting twin lamb disease. Vet had to come out. He thought 2 or 3. Birth yesterday fine only 1 big one. Having issues getting lamb to latch on. An advice you can give me.
Dawn

harmony · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2017, 03:37:39 pm »

Has he sucked at all? Will he suck your finger? Just keep putting him on the teat and holding him on it. Sometimes it easier to tip the ewe and latch the lamb on rather than having the ewe standing. Are her teats large in which case you might need to milk her off a bit.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2017, 03:45:41 pm »

I'm guessing you have traditional Southdowns, without any imported bloodlines. Did the lamb get to suckle colostrum from the ewe within the first six hours of birth? The colostrum will give not only give it energy when the brown fat it was born with runs out after the first day, but also antibodies to the disease challenges the ewe has encountered, whether in the natural course of things or via vaccination. Is the ewe fussing too much to stand still long enough for the lamb to suckle, or moving away when it tries to? In either case you may have to hold her steady (one person standing astride her shoulders works well) while another helps the lamb to latch on. Test she has milk in both teats and that it's a cream/yellow colour without lumps - consult your vet if so as she may have mastitis. If the lamb doesn't suckle every few hours you will have to top it up with powdered lamb milk or adopt it on to another ewe. Intensive shepherding in the first six hours and then three days following is vital to the lamb both surviving and thriving.

Flower2sew · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2017, 04:05:03 pm »

Lamb did nurse yesterday on birth day. It took awhile. Momma has big bag and big teats. But is big lamb. Momma had oxytocin shot. We could see the size of bag went down and lamb licking lips after couple of sessions. Bag was not hot. Momma trying to get lamb back there. Lamb just doesn't try long enough. Will try your suggestions. I had wondered about tipping the ewe

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2017, 09:27:26 pm »

You could try milking off the ewe into a plastic jug then giving the lamb some of the milk in a feeding bottle for now. If the lamb is vigorous enough it will adapt to the shape and size of udder/teat placement but it needs the energy to keep going first of all.