The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Pedwardine on May 29, 2013, 03:19:46 pm
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Just done my first ever glucose injection. Scarey stuff as the tiniest lamb I have ever seen and that made me worry about the positioning of the needle proportion-wise. A friend's Shetland, Willow, lambed this morning (unknown exact time) to two incredibly small lambs (she thought there were black baby bunnies on the field!). Ewe lamb is small but standing and with a full tummy. Ram lamb shakey and very weak. Brought all back to ours where thankfully all the heat lamps were still hanging and the pen panels were still around in the barn from our lambing and set up a pen with a hottie bottie under the lambs as well as heat lamp over. Took temp which was 34.5-VERY low so took the decision to give it a go or lose the wee man. His head is up now and he's making more noise which is making mum more interested in him. So hope he makes it :fc:
Willow's 'mum' finishes work at 5:30 and I want good news to give her.
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Oh well done :thumbsup: I've been shown how to do it but have always hoped I never actually have to ;D
:fc: for the wee lamb :sheep:
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:fc: and well done for attempting it!
If it works then we'll need a photo of the wee family, naturally :).
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Well done! I've never done it, and wish I had, as once it's done once it'll be less scarey to contemplate! I even got a veterinary nurse to come do lambing practise with me, but gdang it, nothing needed an I/p this year. ::)
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Well done, good for you for giving it a go, and him a chance :thumbsup:
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I'll do a photie when it ain't dull and rainy. What a girl for choosing a horrible wet day to push out her midget lambs! Willow isn't bonding well with poorly boy but is with the girl so in the hope I'm doing the right thing I'm feeding the girl to keep her full and quiet which, so far, is making Willow pay more attention to his cries rather than pushing him away. Also pinning Willow to get him suckling from her rather than bottle. They're essentially both getting bottle colostrum and mum's stuff. Quite exciting to be attending to lamby stuff again. Ours finished a few weeks ago. ;D
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It sounds as though you are doing a great job, and may well be responsible for saving the wee ones life :-))) I too have been shown how to do the jab and where, but dread the day I have to actually do it.
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I was relieved that he did his involuntary wee as Mr Tyne's splendid book explains would happen.
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I've done it with goat kids and a crow pecked lamb.
Unfortunately the lamb didn't survive. perked up for 24 hours but then rapidly deteriorated. probably pneumonia.
Might be a good idea to give the little chap an antibiotic jab in case. :fc:
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Thanks Dogwalker. That may not be a bad idea as he was exposed to the elements for some time. He's struggling bless him and I'm fighting for his mum's acceptance of him. She is letting him suckle now without stomping her leg down and barring the way so that's progress. He's a bit of a crooked, wobbly wee soul but he's trying very, very hard. Had a ram lamb of my own much the same this year who's survived to be a smashing, vigorous boy so there's always hope.
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Oh poor wee sole - keep up the good work and :fc: for the wee man
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He's taken a downturn this morning. Won't suckle now :( Think he may be fading and mum definately isn't interested.
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Oh I'm so sorry - how heart-breaking after your brave efforts! Keeping everything crossed :fc:
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He's gone bless him :'( It was all worth a try.
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:hug: You tried your very best :hug:
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oh i just looked at your forum, that is so sad, Im so sorry to hear. You take care. and yes you obviously gave him every chance. Hope the wee girl is still doing well.
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Little ewe lamb has died too. So very sad :'( I think their chances were always slim. Willow was a first timer and lambed unaided in the pouring rain. I've a feeling colostrum was too late and they looked very premature. Willow is on our field with her mum and old mates. Still crying for her lamb but hopefully that's the best place she can be right now until her owner can come get her.
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Aww that's so sad. :( Here's hoping she has a bonny pair next year instead.
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Oh that is sad. I'm sorry to hear that you've lost both lambs.
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You did all you could and gave them a chance, sometimes nature is really tough on our feelings. :hug:
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It is isn't it! Poor Willow doesn't know what's hit her. I so feel for her having her body go through all that preparation just to lose them. She's with our main flock (the ewes and lambs) which includes her own mum and a couple of old mates we swapped for two of our Gotland girls with her owner. They came up and greeted her as soon as she entered the paddock and she's been saying 'hello' to others. She's still wandering like a lost soul bleating for her babbas though :( and calling back to other girls' lambs :( :( Our lambs are almost as big as she is so no chance of her pinching anyone else's bless her (She's so small herself we took it in turns to carry her over the road to the other field! She can't weigh much more than 35kg). Maybe she can be an Aunty for a while? Her owner is leaving her with us for a week or two. We've agreed not to upset her right now by shunting her around yet again. She needs a little stability and who better than your mum hey?
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Awww, bless her. Yes, I think she's best with her mum and old friends now too :-*