Author Topic: Ewe running from lamb (Read 2433 times)

TheSmilingSheep · « **on:** May 13, 2016, 11:33:19 pm »

This evening saw lamb chasing her mum. Lamb about two weeks old - strapping boy. Experienced mum. Mum not rejecting lamb, knickering to him but running away. We suspected mastitis and brought both in. Inspected mum and nothing obvious. Udders and teats looking fine. Some (not lots) of milk. When penned, ewe allowed lamb to suckle...
Is this random normal behaviour - we've never seen it before. Will keep ewe and lamb in small paddock for observation...

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2016, 11:05:32 am »

Is she skippy because of flystrike? If he's hungry and has teeth coming through her instinct to protect may be battling with discomfort when he suckles. Was it a warm night - midges around here are fierce at the moment.

shep53 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2016, 03:05:09 pm »

She just didn't want him to suckle at that time ,maybe as MARCHES says he's getting a bit rough and demanding especially if she lacks enough milk as his demand increases

TheSmilingSheep · « **Reply #3 on:** May 14, 2016, 06:00:49 pm »

Think you both must be right, and he's just been a bit demanding (no sign of flystrike thankfully), and all very calm and normal today.... Thank you.

Louise P · « **Reply #4 on:** May 14, 2016, 06:40:22 pm »

I have a ewe who gets really stressy whenever there's midges out. She literally runs and bucks/skips like a lamb but not happily!
Maybe she's just feeling a bit like that? Xx