Ewe emergency post lambing

[jambi1214]

I have some grain and water in a small dish with them but don't think they're interested. There is some hay laying around in there but also not sure they are.interested. I will put more out. Grass may be hard at this point but want to get them to learn like the others! @Baymule

 

[farmerjan]

I think they look good. You are past the critical first 2 weeks as far as overfeeding or scours. Yes, they can still get scours, but upping the milk as per the bag instructions is fine. Keep doing what you are doing as you seem to have hit it about right. If you up their milk they will be a little slower to try feed and such since their little bellies are getting what they need and feel full. Any hay you offer should be a very soft blade type hay, like 2nd or 3rd cutting orchard grass... or a soft grass... nothing with alot of stiffer stems.
Once they get to liking some grain, the milk will start to taper off some... and they will get more nutrition from the grain. But realize YOU ARE MOM, so they are always going to be looking to you for everything.... especially when they get a little spoiled and want a bottle etc... and they ALL do that... Bottle fed calves are the same...

 

[jambi1214]

Is Bermuda appropriate for lambs? Only other option is a mix from feed store (other sheep don't really like it) or alfalfa which I don't think is good for them yet!

 

[farmerjan]

I don't have any experience with Bermuda or Bahia which are common hays in the south east. @Baymule and @Mike CHS are further south than me... They could give you more info/feedback on those kinds of hay.

 

[Mini Horses]

Suggestion....look at the hay packaged for rabbits. Yeah, small package, more expensive but usually leafier and your only offering small amounts to get the lambs started. Once they have started eating, you can mix with other hays to extend and switch over.

They are adorable and looking good. You're a fine sheep momma.

 

[Baymule]

I feed my sheep both Bermuda and Bahia. I have less waste with the Bahia and they like it. Bermuda is the “Golden Standard “ but being sheep, they like Bahia better. Bermuda has more stems, that they don’t eat. But horse quality Bermuda is good hay for sheep.

Lambs usually nibble, mimicking their momma. As long as they are nibbling, that is good, their digestive system isn’t mature enough yet.

I have to confess, I bottle fed my 2 lambs for 8 or 9 weeks just because they were so darn cute and so much fun. I kept them in the house during SNOWMEGGDON of February 2021, in Lindale we got down to -6F. When it warmed up, I transitioned them to a pen in the barn, then with the ewes and other lambs. They would run to me, or anyone with a bottle. I invited people with kids to come over to feed the lambs. My granddaughters loved them and couldn’t get enough.

What’s not to love about bottle lambs?

 

[jambi1214]

I love this!!! They are precious. Wish I could keep them in more but can't be doing diapers lol.
I'll see if I can find some rabbit Bermuda or something. Everything we have hear is not really sheep quality. Struggling with adult sheep already. at what age do you start introducing them to ewes/lambs? Our have been next to eachother. Other lambs are about 8 months and very docile I was thinking to introduce to small group before the ewes who can be cranky!

 

[Baymule]

They were probably close to a month old before I put them in the barn, but they were born right before we had that freak winter storm, so I just kept them in the house. It made feeding them easier and they entertained us.

I had 15 new lambs when that storm hit. My barn was built for heat, not that kind of cold, but I didn’t lose any. One ewe lambed in the middle of it, poor little thing didn’t even know what warmth was. I cut an arm off a sweater and made her a coat, but she stayed all hunched up like a Chihuahua dog. When I went out to feed, I checked her mouth, it was always warm. I stuffed her inside my layers of sweat hoodie, Carharts while I fed, to warm her up. She looked so pitiful.

Once I put the bottle lambs in the barn, I started with daytime only, in the house at night, then letting them out in the barn while I was out with them, then letting them just stay with all the sheep. They were probably a month old when I let them stay with all the ewes and lambs.

 

[jambi1214]

Hello! So babies are doing great especially since I can get 6 hours of sleep and will be going to 3x day feeding soon. Offering grain and hay. I think the ram things the hay is a bed! But I have seen them putting their noses in hay (haven't seen them eat it but they may have....) But I've noticed the ewe's face seems slightly swollen on one side. I don't see or feel anything. Put finger in mouth nothing obvious. It's hard to even say if it's swelling...tried to get some photos but may not be well noticed. Thought I'd share in case but also sharing some photos

 

[Baymule]

You are a good lamb Mommy! Just look at them! So cute!