[Flora]

I have an old ewe who has twin lambs. She has had twin lambs every year. She has a male and female this year and she feeds the boy but refuses to allow the girl to suck. I have tried  to make her by holding her while the lamb sucks but she kicks it, kicks me and head buts anyone in the area! So as the girl was getting no milk I turned out the ewe and the boy and kept the girl in the yard and am feeding her by bottle. Is there a better way of coping with this?

[Fleecewife]

Sometimes an experienced ewe can sense when something is amiss with a lamb, such as a heart condition.  It makes sense for her not to waste her energies pointlessly.  Twinning on to another ewe who has just given birth might work (dip the  lamb into the birth fluids of the new ewe and present it with the newborn for her to wash.)  A wise older ewe may stick to her guns about rejecting one lamb, so bottle feeding if you have time is an acceptable option.

[Marches Farmer]

If she's old she may have decided which lamb to nourish and which is expendable. 

[Flora]

Thank you. Actually after a few days of me giving the female lamb a few bottles the ewe decided to feed both lambs full time. Can't believe my luck! Think she must have had the baby blues for the first wee while!