The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: danconfessed on November 13, 2013, 05:01:55 pm
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I have 5 first year ewes in an acre field. The last couple of weeks i have noticed one of the ewes regularly on her own and calling. I have checked her for lameness, fly strike, condition and she seems fine. Just had a call from my neighbour saying she has been calling on her own all day.
Any ideas why this might be? Im a complete sheep novice and only had them for a few months.
Thanks
Dan
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Does she have something wrong with her eyes maybe?
I have heard of sheep going blind before and they stand on thier own baaaaing as they cant see thier friends anymore
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My first instinct with any animal (especially a sheep) that is behaving differently to normal, or differently to the others is to do what you've done and check it over thoroughly. We did have one last year that we bought in just weaned with a couple of others to add to the flock. She took ages ( well a few weeks) until she stopped causing us huge concern. She didn't bleat like yours but she was always on her own, often some distance away from the others and just seemed withdrawn and unhappy despite no obvious physical reason. Eventually she joined the others and is now, a year later, indistinguishable from the rest and part of the flock. We wondered whether she had been weaned early perhaps, or just coped less well with weaning than the others. I don't know for sure but wonder whether some just pine for mother for longer. As you've had them a few months it would be strange if she's still pining though so I wouldn't totally rule out something physical just yet, though it looks like you've checked for the obvious
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just seen lady Grey's post- that's a good shout
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Have known a ewe do this when she is on heat...... just a thought
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yes my first thought was she's shouting for a man :-)
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yes my first thought was she's shouting for a man :-)
Cows definitely do that. Not heard of sheep doing it, but maybe so?
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i would say she is gagging for it :-[ :-[ :roflanim:
it is breeding season.
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Yes, I would say she is most definitely in season. Most of my ewes will separate off from the others and stand bleating on their own when in season - often throughout the day and night! I think you might find she returns to the flock and stops bleating when her season ends. And then she will probably do the same routine in about 16 days time!