The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: budwhit on August 12, 2014, 04:13:08 pm

Title: shetland 9years old producing milk but never had a lamb
Post by: budwhit on August 12, 2014, 04:13:08 pm

Can anyone help please I have a 9years old Shetland ewe who is bagged up with milk she has never had a lamb - no sign of mastitis - I have milked her twice but she has produced more.   Have kept her shut in with limited water and some poor hay for 2 weeks but no difference.    ???

Title: Re: shetland 9years old producing milk but never had a lamb
Post by: Old Shep on August 12, 2014, 07:52:44 pm

if they are too fat they can produce milk.

Title: Re: shetland 9years old producing milk but never had a lamb
Post by: shep53 on August 12, 2014, 08:04:45 pm

 Are you 100% certain she's not pregnant , the more you milk her the more it stimulates production

Title: Re: shetland 9years old producing milk but never had a lamb
Post by: budwhit on August 13, 2014, 12:57:10 pm

Thanks for the replies - she is certainly not pregnant and she is not very fat but well covered.   Looking back at diary she did this last year and my friendly vet thinks that maybe it will happen every year and she will dry up once the days go shorter and it becomes colder.  Must be vigilant for mastitis though.

Title: Re: shetland 9years old producing milk but never had a lamb
Post by: Anke on August 13, 2014, 01:41:08 pm

What does the milk taste like?

However I would NOT reduce her water, give her poor quality hay, maybe even straw and do not pen her up by herself, she needs company. Especially if they go from grass onto hay they will need to drink more - hay is much drier than grass!

Title: Re: shetland 9years old producing milk but never had a lamb
Post by: Melmarsh on August 13, 2014, 11:01:08 pm

I wonder, could it be hormonal ?? As in a problem with !!  :innocent:
It's the sort of thing a young goat does, that becomes a maiden milker but a 9yr old sheep ??? Can't think of anything else.