The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Womble on April 14, 2015, 09:24:55 am

Title: What should lamb poo look like?
Post by: Womble on April 14, 2015, 09:24:55 am

 
I'm really sorry for this one, but I know I won't be the only person wondering!!
 
Our turnout field is suddenly covered in spats of runny yellow poo. It looks very much like the cecal poos that hens do (do  ;) ). I take it that's normal, but how would I know!?  ;D
 
I know that lamb poo starts of black and sticky (meconium), then goes yellow as the colostrum works its way through.  But what are the other stages, at what ages do they occur, and what are the things to watch out for? (apart from getting squirted with it)

Title: Re: What should lamb poo look like?
Post by: Big Light on April 14, 2015, 09:44:24 am

Sticky yellow poo is from the colostrum stage ish - just watch for sticky tail on the lambs with really milky ewes - pull the tail up and separate from body if stuck and wipe off mess

Title: Re: What should lamb poo look like?
Post by: Fleecewife on April 14, 2015, 11:16:48 am

Big Light beat me to it  :D  That sticky bum poo can be anything from a mild annoyance which the dam can lick off, to a hardened plug which stops the lamb from passing any more.  You can wash it off if it's not too set, or pull it off if there's just a bit, but otherwise it needs to be (very delicately) dagged - another use for your trusty Swiss Army knife scissors. Oh and point the lamb's bum away from you just in case the pressure has built up  :o