[Loopylamb]

Hi

I have a small flock of Shetland sheep.  This year for the first time in the 6 years I've lambed we have 2 sets of triplets.

The first set are 2 days old now and all bright and feeding well.  The second set are a few hours old and have full tummies and look bright.

I wondered at what point if at all I should supplement their milk?  There is no hurry for them to grow quickly ( I usually keep them through to hoggets), but I don't want to make the ewe ill.

Thanks for your help 

[Me]

Personally, I would take one off a triplet unless your management is tip top and grass very good it can easily ruin four sheep leaving the family together. I know people do keep three on. I would at least top up now

[Marches Farmer]

If you're unable to foster on one of the triplets I'd supplement all three, maybe with a multi-teat bucket several times a day.  You need to get them started on a bottle soon as it's much harder to get them to suckle from a bottle teat once they're used to the ewe.  When they're a couple of weeks old the ewe will really struggle otherwise.

[sabrina]

Funny enough I was just speaking to a friend in Shetland who has just lambed two sets of triplets over the past 24 hrs. I asked her what she did. If possible she will put one onto a ewe with a single or top up with a bottle and leave with the ewe.