The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: JFW67 on July 31, 2023, 03:07:58 pm

Title: Ewe death and lamb care.
Post by: JFW67 on July 31, 2023, 03:07:58 pm

I lost one I’m my ewes yesterday.  Cause as yet determined.  She appeared healthy in general but was lighter in weight than the other ewes.

She has one lamb who is ten weeks old today and was not being weaned.

My remaining flock is 7 ewes and 12 other lambs.  All are grazing together on good grass pasture with a supplement of garlic, seaweed and diatomite mixed with feed every two days.  The feed is minimal and serves only to act as a vehicle for the supplements.

Any recommendations  . . . . My understanding is that 10 weeks is about the earliest weaning should take place.

Any advice appreciated.

Title: Re: Ewe death and lamb care.
Post by: shep53 on July 31, 2023, 05:50:37 pm

ON good grass and a little hard feed then the lamb will be fine

Title: Re: Ewe death and lamb care.
Post by: JFW67 on July 31, 2023, 08:22:05 pm

Thanks very much.  The grass is good at the moment - Warm wet weather producing more than the flock can deal with!

Thank you again.

Title: Re: Ewe death and lamb care.
Post by: Backinwellies on August 03, 2023, 07:05:56 am

At 10 weeks on good grass with his/her mates she should be fine ... just keep an eye.

Title: Re: Ewe death and lamb care.
Post by: JFW67 on August 03, 2023, 02:12:43 pm

Thanks.

He’s doing fine.  Much relieved  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Ewe death and lamb care.
Post by: Eeyore-77 on August 03, 2023, 08:41:19 pm

Sorry to hear that, I lost a ewe when her two lambs were 5 weeks old this year.
Both are still alive after about 10 weeks, they had plenty of good grass and ad lib hard feed, but if I’m honest they’ve not really thrived as much as the same two lambs from the ewe last year. Just a bit too young to have been weaned, and they both have been persistent with dirty backsides vs all the other lambs too.
10 weeks should be alright for your lamb.
Good luck and all the best.
(If I’m being honest this year has been rubbish with the sheep as I’ve lost 3 ewes out of 10 and 3 lambs. Was just about ready to sell them all, and tonight I found one fly struck on his backside. Should be fine as it’s cleared out and sprayed, and hopefully it’s dry enough to spray the rest this weekend as it’s been bucketing every time I’ve been able to get by them. Apologies for going on, but it’s felt like one thing after another, hope 2024 is better).

Title: Re: Ewe death and lamb care.
Post by: shep53 on August 06, 2023, 03:07:30 pm

I would suggest that you take poo samples from both of these lambs  as they will be more susceptible  to worms and more importantly coccidiosis , which may account for the permanently dirty backsides

Title: Re: Ewe death and lamb care.
Post by: Eeyore-77 on August 07, 2023, 09:19:29 am

Great idea Shep53.
Got some poo this morning and on the way to the vets now.
They’ve been wormed twice and it cleared for a week or two after.