61

Sheep / Re: Gimmer not standing for lambs to feed by themselves.

« Last post by Rosemary on April 12, 2026, 06:45:01 am »

Gimmers are fickle. Lambs are a big shock to some of them. I'd keep doing what you're doing, holding her to let them feed - I'd do it every couple of hours, as if I was bottle feeding. Then start reducing. Hopefully, she'll get the hang of it.

62

Sheep / Gimmer not standing for lambs to feed by themselves.

« Last post by Eeyore-77 on April 11, 2026, 09:55:48 pm »

Hi
I had a gimmer have two fine lambs yesterday morning at about 5am. I’ve had them in a nursing pen 4ft x 6ft since birth.
She loves them, she licked them clean, calls to them, sleeps next to them. But she just won’t stand to let them feed and if they try she knocks them away. If I hold her head she immediately calms down, and will let them stand to eat their fill. She relaxes and starts to chew cud.
They aren’t looking particularly hungry and they go to her for reassurance. They have been doing poos (brown meconium and then yellow poo), and they are peeing.
Any suggestions? She just seems really confused about why they are going for her teats, but she dips her hips to let her milk down when I hold her.
Thanks.

63

Wildlife / Re: Swallows 2026

« Last post by Rosemary on April 09, 2026, 06:59:24 am »

Lovely . Not seen any here yet but fingers crossed for soon.

64

Wildlife / Swallows 2026

« Last post by Rupert the bear on April 08, 2026, 07:49:13 pm »

Despite all thats going on in the world one thing we can all rely on is the return of the Swallows.
10am this morning in the warm sunshine a pair of swallows zoomed down the yard loudly announcing themselves .
Every year is a little bit emotional for Me to know some have survived the winters trip away and back, even more so
this year as they are about a month early, it seems this year spring its self is early too.
This evening I have been back outside , they are still here and hunting for food. And now its time to put the cardboard down !

65

Wildlife / Swallows 2026

« Last post by Rupert the bear on April 08, 2026, 07:48:54 pm »

Despite all thats going on in the world one thing we can all rely on is the return of the Swallows.
10am this morning in the warm sunshine a pair of swallows zoomed down the yard loudly announcing themselves .
Every year is a little bit emotional for Me to know some have survived the winters trip away and back, even more so
this year as they are about a month early, it seems this year spring its self is early too.
This evening I have been back outside , they are still here and hunting for food. And now its time to put the cardboard down !

66

Sheep / Advice on breeds

« Last post by Pallyando on April 06, 2026, 02:59:19 pm »

I'm looking for advice on store lambs, and potential breed suggestions as I'm looking for something fairly specific from a timing point of view.

Based West Devon, and I manage my land in a wildlife first fashion...a small scale wilding project if you will, where any stock I keep is to help in habitat creation, diversifying the sward/meadow creation etc, but will end up in the freezer (don't want to breed). Have used weaners to good effect in past years, but  this year am looking for some lambs to graze the late summer meadow growth and aftermath.

They would have access to about 3 acres of grazing, about half of which will have been cut over the summer, and the rest will be a summers growth (quite long) plus field fringes of woodland and scrub/Bramble/Gorse etc.

From a timing point of view would be looking to get 2-3 store lambs from no earlier than August, to finish/slaugher
from anywhere between December and February (no later) so a breed with a slaughter age of 8-10 months.

looking for hardy breed suggestions that will be mostly self sufficient and ok with minimal supplemental haylage. We tend to get a good flush of grass growth in the autumn and the land can be quite wet through winter but always good dry areas.

 Hope this makes sense and thanks for any advice suggestions. Maybe I should post this in the land management section?

67

Sheep / Re: Weak Hungry Lamb

« Last post by SallyintNorth on March 29, 2026, 02:57:15 pm »

Great news all round, thanks for the update!  (Pics would be more than welcome, as ever  )

As to why that ewe was slow to come into her milk... Usually it's when the birth was assisted and her hormones just didn't quite get the right stimuli at the right time.  But you watched this birth so that isn't the case here.  So it's "just one of those things", I think!  Unless one of the other experienced shepherds knows anything more?  @shep53? (She's usually good for an experienced take on things.) 


I'd be inclined to mention it to the vet when you next see them, to see if they have any insight, things to look for or do another time, etc.  (If they do. please do share here!)

68

Sheep / Re: Weak Hungry Lamb

« Last post by Richmond on March 29, 2026, 09:13:53 am »

A little update: The lamb has now been feeding solely from mum for 3 days, the ewe's milk came in. Not sure why it took so long but I have discontinued the bottles 

As for the big bouncy lamb we didn't move her and as her "cousin" got stronger and more willing to play things have settled down. We've also had 2 sets of twins born in the last few days and all 4 are strong, healthy and bouncy!!

Thanks @SallyintNorth for all your help.

69

Sheep / Re: Weak Hungry Lamb

« Last post by SallyintNorth on March 23, 2026, 07:21:26 pm »

Thanks for advice as always. We are topping up lamb in the field with bottles which she is (mainly) taking reasonably well. Occasionally she doesn't seem as hungry so am assuming she's had somethiing from the ewe. Ewe's udder is firmer today so maybe just taking her time getting the milk in???

That's excellent news, and yes, it does sound like the ewe is getting her milk going now.  🤞🏻

Another complication we are having is that there is one older lamb (by 10 days) that is positively thriving - another single from a first timer - but is also being extremely boisterous with the new lamb. I know she just wants a playmate but she's way too much for this little one. Other lambs are due but haven't arrived yet and I'm wondering if we'll have the same problem ie big lamb bouncing about all over the tinies. Should I put the big lamb and her mum into a different paddock? We have the space.

Is the mother protecting the wee one?  If so, I'd leave them together for now, and move the 2 ewes and lambs away together when the other mums start producing.  (It's tough on a ewe, especially a first time ewe, to not be with another few ewes when there are lambs to protect.)

But if newest mum is just letting the big lamb be too rough with the new lamb, yes you may need to move the older lamb and its mum off now, and maybe regroup the pair of ewes and lambs when this one has built more resilience. 

70

Sheep / Re: Weak Hungry Lamb

« Last post by Richmond on March 23, 2026, 06:15:33 pm »

Thanks for advice as always. We are topping up lamb in the field with bottles which she is (mainly) taking reasonably well. Occasionally she doesn't seem as hungry so am assuming she's had somethiing from the ewe. Ewe's udder is firmer today so maybe just taking her time getting the milk in???

Another complication we are having is that there is one older lamb (by 10 days) that is positively thriving - another single from a first timer - but is also being extremely boisterous with the new lamb. I know she just wants a playmate but she's way too much for this little one. Other lambs are due but haven't arrived yet and I'm wondering if we'll have the same problem ie big lamb bouncing about all over the tinies. Should I put the big lamb and her mum into a different paddock? We have the space.