The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Deacon Folly on May 26, 2022, 07:09:41 pm

Title: Ewe pushing away 6 week old lambs
Post by: Deacon Folly on May 26, 2022, 07:09:41 pm
Why would she do this?
She has plenty of milk, udder normal but she just either kicks them off when they come to drink or spends most of the time as far away from them as possible.
Would they take a bottle top up at this age or do I not interfere?
TIA
Title: Re: Ewe pushing away 6 week old lambs
Post by: shep53 on May 26, 2022, 07:49:06 pm
So no mastitis or sores / cracks  on her teats  ? is she losing condition or very lean ?   at 6 wks old you would find it very very hard to get them to take milk , they can survive being weaned at this age JUST
Title: Re: Ewe pushing away 6 week old lambs
Post by: Deacon Folly on May 26, 2022, 08:09:57 pm
Nothing obvious
She is up to weight and her udder is fine.
The lambs are eating grass thankfully
Should I leave them with her or put them in with the Cades?
Title: Re: Ewe pushing away 6 week old lambs
Post by: Anke on May 26, 2022, 09:36:34 pm
I would leave them with her - and weigh them over the next few days so you can see if they are gaining weight (human scales, just hold up a lamb and substract your weight). They may well be getting enough - after all you are not there all the time, and esp not during the night.


Do they know about creep?


No chance of a bottle at this age, and probably no need either, esp if you only have milk replacer.
Title: Re: Ewe pushing away 6 week old lambs
Post by: shep53 on May 27, 2022, 09:01:01 am
Definitely leave them with her  if you put them with the cades they will suffer a big setback and as Anke says you are not watching 24hrs each day so she may let them suckle