The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Helen Wiltshire Horn on April 27, 2016, 08:22:10 am

Title: Ewe doesn't like her lamb
Post by: Helen Wiltshire Horn on April 27, 2016, 08:22:10 am

I have a ewe who had a single boy this time, having successfully reared twin lambs last year.  The problem is that she doesn't seem very keen on it and butts him out of the way or moves off when it is trying to feed.  I turned them out at 24 hours old as it had been a straightforward birth and I thought that she was just displaying this behaviour whilst we were watching.  Anyway, on checking at twilight I see the lamb at the far end of the field, clearly hungry and looking for Mum who was happily grazing at the other end (he took quite a bit of Lamlac whilst I caught Mum).  I penned them up and have seen him feed as his Mum isn't able to go far and I bet the fact that she has plenty of milk makes it uncomfortable if he doesn't feed.  Anyway, any ideas or suggestions?   I would prefer for her to be out on grass rather than inside eating hay.  I am just really not sure why she has taken a dislike to him.  He seems a normal lamb and obviously has been feeding from her or he wouldn't be alive (he was born early on Sunday). 
Helen

Title: Re: Ewe doesn't like her lamb
Post by: Backinwellies on April 27, 2016, 08:30:22 am

Keep them penned long enough for ewe to bond with lamb properly.

Title: Re: Ewe doesn't like her lamb
Post by: Rosemary on April 27, 2016, 08:41:15 am

I agree with Backinwellies

Title: Re: Ewe doesn't like her lamb
Post by: lesbri on April 27, 2016, 08:43:56 am

Ive had this with the same ewe 2 years running. Both years she has had twins and both years she has liked one more than the other. Ive found just penning them up together for a couple of days, holding the ewe to let the disliked one feed if necessary does the trick. Both years the disliked lamb has discovered that he can feed quite happily from behind whilst the favoured lamb is feeding in the usual position! Good luck!! 

Title: Re: Ewe doesn't like her lamb
Post by: shep53 on April 27, 2016, 12:41:38 pm

Yes keep in a pen until you are happy she's  talking to the lamb then let her out in to a big space and see if she's still ok , THEN  in the field .      rare for singles to do this mostly twins hating one .              For me personally I would cull her and definitely LESBRI'S ewe

Title: Re: Ewe doesn't like her lamb
Post by: Marches Farmer on April 27, 2016, 01:57:41 pm

I have home made adopters for this situation but we've not needed them for several years as it's yet another trait that I cull for.