The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: maddy on April 01, 2015, 02:05:08 pm

Title: First timer ewes anxious
Post by: maddy on April 01, 2015, 02:05:08 pm
Hi my two first timer ewes have both given birth normally but a week later the mums are shouting and hollering much of the day.  Their lambs are not bothered and are usually playing, sleeping or sunbathing.  I keep thinking they have lost their lambs but if I put the lambs to the mums it doesn't usually stop them.  They just seem a bit anxious.  I shut them all in at night and when I check last thing all is quiet and peaceful.  Any idea why all the noise?
Title: Re: First timer ewes anxious
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 01, 2015, 02:23:56 pm
Are the mums hungry?
Title: Re: First timer ewes anxious
Post by: Hellybee on April 01, 2015, 03:11:27 pm
We have a dawn chorus with our lot! Once they get into the routine of nuts, they know, try them with a little dinner and see if that stops the hollering.   Good that they are great first time mums, some are a right nightmare and take a little while to bond, with the help of me or baz as a clamp initially. 
Title: Re: First timer ewes anxious
Post by: Anke on April 01, 2015, 03:55:34 pm
Some breeds with a lot of fleece on their faces struggle to see their kids, and shout to get them to come back. You don't say what breed you have.
When I had my Bowmonts they were constantly standing in the middle of the field shouting... some clipping of their faces helped (but not a lot...)
Title: Re: First timer ewes anxious
Post by: princesslayer on April 01, 2015, 04:18:28 pm
Mine are doing the same. I put it down to hunger/wanting food, they mainly do it when anyone ventures out of the house! They did quite a bit of charging about when it was windy. But also settled in between.
Title: Re: First timer ewes anxious
Post by: maddy on April 01, 2015, 05:20:55 pm
Thanks for the replies.  They are Ryelands so have alot of fleece around their face and yes they could be hungry.  I have just been feeding them a small handful of nuts between 5 of them.

Will try clipping around the eyes and feeding more.
Title: Re: First timer ewes anxious
Post by: Hellybee on April 01, 2015, 05:31:53 pm
I could feed ours til the cows come home and theyed still mug me, oh the joys of bucket led sheep  ::)