The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: craiglockwood on March 27, 2011, 09:00:56 pm
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After much consideration today I took in my first orphan lamb, a two day old called Stephanie. I read about all the physiological aspects so was well prepped for feeding and housing requirements but am concerned about not being able to comfort her! We are on the lookout for more orphan lambs for company, but she gets really distressed any time I leave her on her own! Are there any tips or tricks for making her feel comfortable? Or am I just being soft? All help much appreciated.
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Maybe a hot water bottle wrapped in a wooly jumper. Or with a ticking clock to mimic a heartbeat? I've seen this recommended for puppies.
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Sheep are flock animals, when a lamb is born it sticks tight to its mother especially on the first 3 -4 weeks, and will bleet away in the field when the mother or it has wondered off and realises its on it own, you are now the mother so it will act in the same way, two would be better and it would take the pressure off you, they dont like being alone.
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If I have only one bottle fed lamb, I pop to the local charity shop and buy it a teddy! At night it has got something to cuddle up to and buy day it will probably bounce on it! I had a single ram lamb once on the bottle and he had a teddy, until one day - he butted it in a fit of rage and poor teddy became unstuffed!
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i was also going to suggest a teddy, rosemarys idea of a ticking clock is a good idea also :wave:
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Last year, we used a pink fluffy bunny - I don't think it helped her, she just pooped all over it! but I felt better about leaving her at night.
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I would definately try and get a play pal for it