The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Azzdodd on April 09, 2013, 08:59:09 pm

Title: Lost my first lamb
Post by: Azzdodd on April 09, 2013, 08:59:09 pm
Worst thing ever one off my ewe had triplets few weeks back an they all seemed fine with mum
Fully bellies etc. but went up tonight to one little girl dead in shelter horrible feeling had about 20 lambs and this is my first loss
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: moprabbit on April 09, 2013, 09:06:35 pm
So sorry to hear that. It must be awful when all seemed fine. It being your first loss must also make it more difficult. Try to enjoy your other lambs. Hope things improve. x
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: Mammyshaz on April 09, 2013, 09:26:41 pm
 :bouquet: a big shock for you.
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: Rosemary on April 09, 2013, 09:32:30 pm
 :bouquet: Feel for you  :(
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: sokel on April 09, 2013, 10:09:55 pm
Its always hard  :(
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: Azzdodd on April 09, 2013, 10:20:20 pm
Thanks guys hopefully two girls left will have a good healthy life makes you realise you don't always get to decide when it's time for lambs to die....
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: Pedwardine on April 09, 2013, 10:36:35 pm
We've all been or will be there at some point. It is always such a tragic thing. Big hug for your loss  :hug:
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: suziequeue on April 09, 2013, 10:55:43 pm
Aww - so sorry to hear that. Especially since she seemed to be doing well
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: norfolk newbies on April 09, 2013, 11:47:17 pm
We had the same today. little girl 3 weeks old.
Not our first this year unfortunately, but she was one that seemed to be doing OK up until this morning. Big shock.
Hugs to you to.
 
Jo
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: Bionic on April 10, 2013, 03:58:19 am
We lost our first lamb too so I know how you feel.  :bouquet:
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: Azzdodd on April 10, 2013, 07:40:09 am
Mum seems a little stressed but then goes back to the other 2 she spends alot of time in shelter with her lambs so I've had a good clean and fresh straw try make the smell go away. Decided from now on any triplets will be made twins and ill sell the orphan.
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: MrsJ on April 10, 2013, 07:45:42 am
So sad for you.  It's always hard to lose them.  We have had 8 sets of triplets from our 12 ewes this year and all but one are doing fine.  We lost one of the triplets early on, she was very tiny and never thrived despite everything we tried. The others all seem to be doing fine.
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: Remy on April 10, 2013, 09:26:28 am
Sorry to hear this, I lost three triplets in the same way - the previous day they had been up and suckling well and the next day were dead, during the very cold spell we had (they were all indoors too!).  Only one of them I had started to feed but it was too little too late, I think the ewes just haven't got the amount of milk this year as previously I've never had problems with triplets.  My last triplet is now on the bottle.
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: Marches Farmer on April 10, 2013, 11:30:29 am
If they're little, it's a cold night, a first-time ewe who's a bit confused about what she's supposed to do next, I always give them powdered colostrum or frozen saved from a good 3-4 year old ewe with a single the previous year. The brown fat they're born with only lasts about 6 hours in challenging conditions so giving them both antibodies and an energy source will generally permit them to recover from a difficult or long birth and have the ability to latch on.  Those first six hours are absolutely vital and the reason why I'm now walking around like a zombie - only three singles to go!
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: Bramblecot on April 10, 2013, 12:56:53 pm
It is so upsetting when they die despite your best efforts to look after them :'( .  This year lambing has been highs and lows for me too.  Only 4 to go and I can't wait for it to be over :( .  Good luck for the rest :fc: .
Title: Re: Lost my first lamb
Post by: FiB on April 10, 2013, 04:24:48 pm
Can only offer  :hug: :hug:  no experience to draw on as I havnt started yet (due tomorrow onward) - hoping the rest goes smoothly for you :fc: