Baymule’s 2024 Lambing plus 12-23

[Baymule]

I have a question... why bring them in to bottle feed if the ewe is still mothering them? Why not let them stay out there and just bottle feed them out there a couple times a day? It's not like your sheep are running on acres and acres and hard to catch them? Less mess and cleanup in the house... I get it when they are rejected by the ewe....

Because they didn’t want to take the bottle and the two ewe lambs weren’t “mothered” as well as the ram lamb. As long as they could go suck on mom, they weren’t interested in the bottle. I think the ram lamb was the more aggressive feeder and the 2 ewes were just getting weaker.

Storms coming in this week and I don’t want wet, cold babies with nothing in their tummies and a mom that prefers the ram. She can’t help it that she had problems and I think she was just overwhelmed. Very nice registered ewe, these 2 ewe lambs are important to me.

Next week I may try transitioning them outside but they need to be strong enough to make it on their own. Plus recognizing me as milk provider.

 

[Baymule]

Second morning feeding done, clean cage, fresh pads down, diapered and running amok now. Carson is cringing on his towel.

 

[farmerjan]

So, only half a$$ mothering... not enough milk to share if the ram lamb is getting most... I get it... and not wanting the bottle... usually after a calf gets a bottle for 2-3 times, they "get it" that that is where their meal comes from most times... and you are not putting the ewes and lambs in individual jugs usually either, so I see where that is not an option right now... Didn't know the lambs would refuse a bottle like that... calves can be "dumb" about starting it and all, but mostly they want to butt it out of your hands and break your wrist in the process....

 

[Baymule]

Grabbed the ram lamb a few minutes ago and he was fat as a dog tick.

 

[farmerjan]

Would she take one of the ewe lambs back? Or pull him for a few hours and let the ewe lambs get some of her milk for the extra nutrition that only a "momma's milk " has??? Or is that not practical?
Glad that he is doing good...

 

[Mini Horses]

For some reason, once a lamb or goat starts a bottle, I've found they don't transition back well to a real mom. We hope but, it's not often real successful. Just born, you can syringe some and get them nursing but after that -- my experience has been that it doesn't work well. IF they nurse, you can sometimes get them to bottle as supplement, say once a day. Plus, smaller than a calf so, inside is doable most goats are not interested in fostering. I have maybe 2 who will sometimes take a foster -- sometimes. And not always dependable, so you have really, really watch.

With registered stock, not worth the chance of loss.

 

[farmerjan]

Interesting that calves will do both the cow and a bottle with little problem once they realize there is good stuff in the bottle, better than a lamb or kid.

Nope, not worth losing them.... so bottle it is...

Yep, a "little less messy" for a lamb or kid to be in the house...

 

[Baymule]

The hooligans are fed, diapered, crate cleaned, fresh potty pad down, all before I’ve had coffee.

Nibbling my PJ pants and licking bare feet searching for a nipple.

I’ve named the red one Ruby, her sister is Pearl and Cookies baby is Patches.

It stormed last night and will come in waves through Wednesday night/early morning hours of Thursday. Then Thursday will be sunny and bright. Leaving Friday morning for Gainesville and the TexKats sheep field on Saturday. Meeting @Margali there, we’ll share a room and talk all night. LOL Chase and family will care for bottle babies in their home.

My feet and PJs are steadily being hoovered. Poor momma sheep, at least I can put these hooligans in a cage.

 

[Ridgetop]

I have a question... why bring them in to bottle feed if the ewe is still mothering them? Why not let them stay out there and just bottle feed them out there a couple times a day?

Remember she doesn't have a barn and the weather has been spotty.

With registered stock, not worth the chance of loss.

Absolutely! The ram lamb is doing fine so bottle feeding the ewe lambs is great. I love bottle babies!

 

[Baymule]

Been outside, chores done, back inside, load of clothes in to wash. Maybe I’ll get the other loads of clothes folded and put away. Fed babies, diapered and terrorizing Carson. Better him than me! On second cup of coffee now.