[wannabesmallholder]

No they’re not red or hard. That side was extremely full, but I milked a lot off and it was soft afterwards. Do you know how much I should aim to milk her to reduce the risk? If the lamb dies what will happen about her milk?

[SallyintNorth]

I would milk her just enough to relieve the pressure a few times a day until the udder does not feel engorged with milk when you go to her.  Then reduce frequency.  Once udder feels soft and pliable when you go to her, stop milking her.  Keep her in or on poor grass, and feed just hay or straw, no nuts, to reduce production. 

[SallyintNorth]

If the lamb dies what will happen about her milk?

Her milk will dry up once there is no demand, and she should not get mastitis if she’s off grass and not fed nuts.

[wannabesmallholder]

Thanks so much for your advice. Sorry - one more question. So now, with the lamb still alive, but not feeding from her, (but obviously we want her to feed him eventually), should I still be feeding her grass and nuts?

[SallyintNorth]

You’re milking her for his milk, or making him formula?  Let her have nuts or grass if you’re struggling to get enough milk from her for the lamb.  If you just want to keep her from drying up, daily milking should do it (twice daily arguably better) but take a little more than just enough to keep her comfortable.  No need for nuts if she has grass and you’re not feeding the lamb from her milk.

Once the lamb has established the oesophageal reflex, which he should have by 48 hours if he’s taking his bottle well, you may be able to get him to suckle by sitting her on her bottom (slightly one-sided, as you would to look at her feet) and bringing him onto the teat.  Squirt some into his mouth so he gets the idea.  Once they realise there’s milk in there, they should keep trying.

Once he knows where it is, and he’s past the first two days, reduce frequency of feeds.  So check his tummy when you go to feed him.  If it’s nice and convex, he’s probably helping himself when you’re not there to see it .  Often they start drinking from mum but you don’t see it for several days .  It’s a lovely feeling when you finally see it! 

[wannabesmallholder]

Lamb definitely dying now 

Ewe’s udders aren’t engorged, hard or red, but when you milk one of them pure frank blood comes out (not mixed with milk - just blood as far as I can see) Why is this and do I need to do anything else beyond what you’ve already so helpfully suggested?

Many thanks

[nessjw]

Sorry I cannot add anything constructive....Have been reading this thread, willing the little one on & you,
as you have tried so hard to do everything for him.. Maybe there is something internally wrong with him.
Hope the ewe is ok, be proud of yourself for giving him every chance.

[shep53]

Sorry your losing the lamb ,you tried hard to save it but very tiny lambs have a smaller chance from the start . The blood will be from burst blood vessels  often from physical  damage and should resolve its self  ,if left alone .   For future reference if you take a lamb away from a ewe often they will then not accept them back ,depending on the bond established

[SallyintNorth]

Sorry to hear you are losing the little lamb, but well done for giving him every chance.

Keep mum off grass and nuts now then, maybe get some udder mint to rub on her udder.  It will help reduce any inflammation or infection and also may help to reduce the milk.

[wannabesmallholder]

Thank you everyone for your help with this topic. There are so many Internet forums where I would have received lots of judgment for being too inexperienced to deal with it etc, and received confusing conflicting advice, but you guys were nothing but supportive and helpful - thank you so much!

As suspected the lamb died this morning. He weighed just under 700g - not sure if @kanisha could say whether this is small for a newborn Ouessant?

Got 4 more ewes to lamb now - hoping they are all straightforward! 

[kanisha]

800 g is the lower end of the usual range anything less and there would be concerns over their health. It does sound as if something wasn't right . Sorry you lost him but it doesn't make it any easier :-(