[Richmond]

My 3 year old Soay ewe had twins on Thursday pm. She's a first timer. She cleaned them up ok after birth and has been very attentive. They are both feeding well and becoming more adventurous by the hour. They are out in the field. Mum refused to come into the mothering/bonding area (also outside but much more sheltered) when we attempted to move her and babies and got quite stressed so it seemed easier to leave her where she was.

However she doesnt appear to want to clean their bottoms! I've washed them off with warm water and they are pooing normally but she's not interested in licking them clean. All our other ewes are keeping their lambs beautifully clean.

I believe sticky bums don't last for long but I would have expected a Soay to be better at taking care of this side of things than say a commercial breed sheep. Is this unusual? Her sister's lamb has a bum so clean I could eat off it - but probably won't!

[twizzel]

If she’s letting it suck and is being a good mother otherwise I wouldn’t be too worried 

[Fleecewife]

You mention sticky bums but watch out for blocked bums.  This is where the yellow poop forms a slightly dried plug which can prevent the lamb from passing faeces at all, so gets blocked and needs to be sorted by a human hand!  Soays are prone to this, as are hebrideans.  Also some Soay lines are more prone to mucky bums than others, although as you are comparing sisters, perhaps it's not that.
Just check for blocked bums - it only happens once per lamb you'll be pleased to know.


First, catch your lamb 

[Womble]

First, catch your lamb 

Top tip for second: Baby wipes are excellent for wiping babies.

[Richmond]

Thanks all. I used warm water and a cloth which worked fine. Catching not an issue so far as Mum is v tame and comes to me in the field so lambs follow suit. May be different in a few days but hopefully by then the bums will have sorted themselves out -at least I hope so!