Author Topic: any tips for helping thin ewe with lambs at foot (Read 9477 times)

ewesaidit · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2015, 08:21:06 pm »

Thanks for the further replies everyone.

To pick up on the points made ...

My ewes are fed well 6 wks prior to lambing and have a Lifeline pre-lambing bucket plus a high energy bucket to choose from. The ewe was in good condition immediately before lambing. She's doing a great job of her lambs and is eating fine.

Think getting creep available to the lambs is the priority then judging by the comments, thanks

I would normally have a creep area set up for them before now but space is limited and because I'm topping up a couple of other ewes triplets it's been easier to keep them in separate pens so I don't get mugged by a wee gang of lambs fighting over bottles ...... so I haven't had enough space to be able to organise creep yet.

At the weekend I'll be re-organising such that I can set up a creep pen (and tail off the topping up)

Couldn't get readigrass but have bought a bag of Timothy haylage today (with a view to her getting more of it in to her than hay?)

Did wonder about whether Cetophyton would do any harm/some good at this stage. Have some left over that might be out of date for next year so should I just give her some of that over a few days?

thanks again

princesslayer · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2015, 08:40:27 pm »

Quote from: Bramblecot on February 18, 2015, 11:47:58 am

Winter 'greens' - kale, cabbage, cauli leaves etc. Some of mine love them once they get the taste.

Glad you said this Bramblecot -mine have just suddenly polished off all the leftover purple sprouting broccoli I had abandoned! I'm hoping it won't do them any harm! Might make them a bit farty, I suppose...

farmvet · « **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2015, 10:29:14 pm »

Neeps. You can probably buy some from a neighbouring farmer? around £5/tonne this year but guess you dont need many!

ewesaidit · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2015, 07:16:28 pm »

Update .....

ewe now has mastitis and her three and a half week old lambs not willing to take a bottle .... aargh!

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2015, 07:26:56 pm »

Oh dear.

the lambies come around to the bottle quickly. And/or that prompt treatment gets their mum back on track quickly.

Bramblecot · « **Reply #20 on:** February 19, 2015, 08:06:06 pm »

Poor ewe

, and poor you

. I hope it works out ok.

ewesaidit · « **Reply #21 on:** February 19, 2015, 11:00:40 pm »

Thanks for the hugs

Have given antibiotic and metacam and managed to feed her some soaked sugar beet at 10pm without the other ewes realising and kicking off -

Tried her two tup lambs again with the bottle. They weren't quite as 'OMG who's this trying to kill me' as last time but still didn't 'get' the sucking technique. Hopefully they will be a bit more relaxed next time.

Couldn't get any milk out of the dodgy side .... hard-ish warm not hot area at the bottom of the left quarter but soft above that - would you encourage lambs to suck i.e. by holding the ewe - read this somewhere but not sure if it's beneficial, 'cruel to be kind' or just cruel??

clydesdaleclopper · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2015, 09:06:06 am »

Certainly in humans they recommend getting the baby to help clear it by feeding lots from the affected side.

Anke · « **Reply #23 on:** February 20, 2015, 12:02:50 pm »

The goo inside the infected quarter has to come out, one way or another.... if the lambs suckle then yes let them, however you may have to try and strip her out yourself.