Author Topic: Mum rejecting one lamb after tail docking / castration (Read 4189 times)

Fishyhaddock · « **on:** April 08, 2015, 09:39:03 pm »

A second time mum had 2 males 3 days ago and accepted them both well. We had just ringed the tails and bits of both and done mums feet ready for turn out tomorrow. Went into the shed a couple of hours after and she is butting one lamb away. Clearly we have disturbed the status quo. Will try rubbing milk over the face..... The issue seems to be when she sniffs his back / end and she gives him a clout. Will also try rubbing other lambs poo over his back end to keep familial smell going. Any other tricks from you dab hands I should consider?
Thanks fishy.

Hellybee · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2015, 11:06:18 pm »

I m sure theres a masking spray out there somewhere.

Buttermilk · « **Reply #2 on:** April 09, 2015, 06:45:16 am »

A bit of vicks smeared round her nose should mask the scents for a while.

AllenHTFarm · « **Reply #3 on:** April 09, 2015, 09:10:26 am »

I had the same last week. I used the dog trick. Works every time!
Just take a dog to them and the ewe should start to protect the lamb.
Make sure you don't turn them out till its accepted it and its suckling again

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #4 on:** April 09, 2015, 02:18:13 pm »

I again repeat to use the trick with the dog (if you must) with extreme caution. Some ewes, particularly hill ewes and primitive types, may get a 'red mist' when a threat such as a dog is nearby, and attack - with violence - anything nearby. Which, if she's penned with a lamb or lambs, could be a lamb.

I've had a lamb killed in such circumstances.

AllenHTFarm · « **Reply #5 on:** April 09, 2015, 09:02:10 pm »

I've never had a issue, suppose you have to judge the situation before putting a dog near

Fishyhaddock · « **Reply #6 on:** April 09, 2015, 09:36:29 pm »

Good news. All that was required was a little patience. She must have become distressed and confused as she has now accepted the lamb back again. Took 12 hours but all now calm and as it should be.

She is quite highly strung as last year she went a bit crazy after we went through the same treatment. This year they are all staying in another night just to make sure the bond is as strong as it could be before out into the paddock. The key for this ewe was minimal intervention.