The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: TheSmilingSheep on May 13, 2016, 11:33:19 pm

Title: Ewe running from lamb
Post by: TheSmilingSheep on May 13, 2016, 11:33:19 pm

This evening saw lamb chasing her mum. Lamb about two weeks old - strapping boy. Experienced mum. Mum not rejecting lamb, knickering to him but running away. We suspected mastitis and brought both in. Inspected mum and nothing obvious. Udders and teats looking fine. Some (not lots) of milk. When penned, ewe allowed lamb to suckle...
Is this random normal behaviour - we've never seen it before. Will keep ewe and lamb in small paddock for observation...

Title: Re: Ewe running from lamb
Post by: Marches Farmer on May 14, 2016, 11:05:32 am

Is she skippy because of flystrike?  If he's hungry and has teeth coming through her instinct to protect may be battling with discomfort when he suckles.  Was it a warm night - midges around here are fierce at the moment.

Title: Re: Ewe running from lamb
Post by: shep53 on May 14, 2016, 03:05:09 pm

She just didn't want him to suckle at that time ,maybe as MARCHES says he's getting  a bit rough and demanding especially  if she lacks enough milk as his demand increases

Title: Re: Ewe running from lamb
Post by: TheSmilingSheep on May 14, 2016, 06:00:49 pm

Think you both must be right, and he's just been a bit demanding (no sign of flystrike thankfully), and all very calm and normal today....  Thank you.

Title: Re: Ewe running from lamb
Post by: Louise P on May 14, 2016, 06:40:22 pm

I have a ewe who gets really stressy whenever there's midges out. She literally runs and bucks/skips like a lamb but not happily!
Maybe she's just feeling a bit like that? Xx