The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: baffledog1 on March 20, 2016, 07:26:47 am

Title: Ewe lost her lamb-best way to dry her off
Post by: baffledog1 on March 20, 2016, 07:26:47 am

The last ewe lambed yesterday. Lamb only survived a few minutes. Neighbours have finished lambing and can't find an orphan locally also worried about bringing some disease onto the place,

What is the best way to dry her off? Realise mastitis could be an issue. She is off all hard feed and has access to hay(not ad-lib). She is in at the moment. Have an idea that there is an injection you can give as she has a lot of milk. Any thoughts gratefully appreciated.

Title: Re: Ewe lost her lamb-best way to dry her off
Post by: Hugo on March 20, 2016, 09:05:53 am

I would keep her in for 2 weeks and just feed her hay and see how her udder is after that. That will help to dry her up. Just make sure you keep an eye out for mastitis in her udder though.

Title: Re: Ewe lost her lamb-best way to dry her off
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 20, 2016, 10:34:54 am

Maybe milk some off twice a day for a couple of days, put it in the freezer for next year, as well as reducing the risk of mastitis.  Don't take loads, that'll only stimulate her, but just take the 'blast' off the udder.

Title: Re: Ewe lost her lamb-best way to dry her off
Post by: Marches Farmer on March 20, 2016, 10:39:29 am

I agree wih Sally.  That way you mimic the natural drying-off process and relieve some of the pressure in her udder.

Title: Re: Ewe lost her lamb-best way to dry her off
Post by: Raine on March 20, 2016, 12:44:50 pm

This was going to be a question I needed to ask.  So glad this forum exists.

Title: Re: Ewe lost her lamb-best way to dry her off
Post by: OhLaLa on March 21, 2016, 02:56:32 pm

Or if you don't feel confident milking her, you can get the vet out and he will give her an injection to dry her off.

Title: Re: Ewe lost her lamb-best way to dry her off
Post by: landroverroy on March 21, 2016, 09:34:20 pm

Or you can just feed her straw and minerals.

Title: Re: Ewe lost her lamb-best way to dry her off
Post by: rouvavalo on March 22, 2016, 08:12:12 am

Feed her lots of mint to help the process - if she'll eat it.

Title: Re: Ewe lost her lamb-best way to dry her off
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on March 22, 2016, 11:22:08 am

You could always sell her to these people as they need a ewe with milk?
http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/114674810/sheep.html?link=%2Fadverts%2Flist%3Fkeyword%3Dsheep%26page%3D9 (http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/114674810/sheep.html?link=%2Fadverts%2Flist%3Fkeyword%3Dsheep%26page%3D9)