[LOCHBYRE]

One of my Shetlands lambed twins outside about 1 hour ago, I've brought them in as 1 twin isn't up yet and still is wet, do I warm him/ her by fire and give him some powdered colostrum ? Or leave with mum and watch ? Seems weak and struggling a bit but is managing to hold head up and give little bleets. Other twin on feet and looking for teat.

[MarvinH]

What is the ewe doing? licking them both? Regarding colostrum if you are able to milk the ewe and stomach tube that would be better than powdered.

[Brucklay]

If you can I would pen both with mum and let her pick them dry - I find my shetands very attentive mothers - they one not up is probably just born and needs a wee bit of time to get up. I would then check in an hour for them feeding, full bellies or if asleep a big stretch when I wake them up.

[LOCHBYRE]

Ewe is more attentive to twin who is up licking other occasionally. Can milk ewe but not able to tube, as I've never been shown, got bottles though ?! Seems as though wee one is weak but maybe not long born, when do they normally get up and drink, rough time scale? All penned in shed together now x

[colliewoman]

With Shetties I would expect them to be up an sucking in an hour max, normally within 20 mins.
Stomach tubing is easy enough if you go gently. Measure the tube on the outside of the lamb so you know what length to use to reach from mouth to belly, very gently slide it down the throat, any resistance and stop, withdraw and try again. If you get the wrong hole lambie will cough and splutter unless unconscious but you shouldn't be tubing an unconscious lamb anyhoo. I use a 50ml syringe with the plunger removed as a funnel to pour colostrum into as it fits a treat into the tube and has graduations on it so's you can see how much you are giving


Some people say to dip the end of the tube in milk before tubing, but I don't as I worry about it getting inhaled if I get the wrong hole.


Good luck, I reckon you will be fine with them now you have em penned

[LOCHBYRE]

Quick update, managed to latch seeker twin on while holding him up, sooked like mad, managed to stand for a wee while after drinking then sat down. Have come in to warm up, will go back out in twenty mins and take it from there !
Will look and see think I have a stomach tube somewhere, but hoping not to need it !!x

[MarvinH]

Have they both suckled? Sounds like youve done a good job.

[woollyval]

Try and relax and leave the ewe alone.....you can do a lot more harm than good! Have a nice long cuppa and leave them a while.....Shetlands are incredibly resiliant     

[LOCHBYRE]

Just been out to check, both up on their feet phew !!!
Both bleeting and chatting to Mum and she's giving both attention. Weakest now very. Determined saw it drink twice, stronger of the two I've not seen drink but have seen headed in the right direction !!
Off to get a couple of hours sleep, check them again at 1 ish, thanks all xu

[LOCHBYRE]

morning ! thanks for all the help last night ........not a I'm one to panic !! lol !
All is well with my twin EWE lambs yipeee !
Will try to get good pics later x

[kanisha]

 

[Brucklay]

That's really good - looking forward to seeing the pictures 

[colliewoman]

 

[sabrina]

  Delighted for you.