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- #21
Ewe won't let newborn lamb nurse
- Thread starter Rin
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Beekissed
Herd Master
Hmmmmmm.....you may want to put some Vicks in her nose for a bit to see if it keeps that smell from being the problem. Seems like she likes how he looks and sounds but not how he smells, so take the smell factor away and see if she's fine with him.
Sheepshape
Herd Master
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First timers can be very 'fickle'....they think that it's 'job done' after the lamb is born, particularly if they are not yet fully grown themselves.
Most will get the hang of things after restraint for a day or two, and when the new mum can smell her milk coming through the lamb
Persistence usually does pay off and bottle feeding should be avoided at all costs if you can get her to accept the lamb
Most will get the hang of things after restraint for a day or two, and when the new mum can smell her milk coming through the lamb
Persistence usually does pay off and bottle feeding should be avoided at all costs if you can get her to accept the lamb
- Thread starter
- #24
Thank you all. I'm heading to bed now after she let him have another drink (Vicks wasn't needed, she didn't seem as put off by his smell this time but did resume spinning away from him as soon as I went to walk away).
Should know more tomorrow.
Should know more tomorrow.
Baymule
Herd Master
Your last post shows 2AM my time, don’t know what time it was your time, kudos to you for your dedication to your animals. So you switched to FL sheep because they are lower maintenance? I get that! We raise Katahdin hair sheep for that very reason. Mine usually surprise me in the mornings with newborns already up, nursing, warm and happy. Every now and then there is a FF who is a little confused so into the jug they go. I’m sure with your care and help, this ewe will make a fine mom from this going forward.
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- #27
EST, it was about 3am before I fell asleep (I'm a second shifter). He's still alive. Held her a few hrs ago but tempted to go with a makeshift headgate since she seems to be getting more and more agitated whenever I go out there.
FL crackers are supposed to be even more low maintenance than the hairs!
I live in FL and their ancestors were brought over with Spain and left to the Florida wilds for over 500 years. Only called in twice a year for shearing and lamb marking (they have two lamb crops a year, most of my ewes are probably pregnant again or will be by the end of this month). They thrive on pine needles and dirt and require little to no worming. Only downside (if you ask meat breeders) is they are a smaller breed and do produce wool. I consider both of those to be bonuses, personally.
Baymule
Herd Master
Don’t count yourself out, that is a good bit of advice! I’ve only had sheep for 6 years and have made lots of mistakes. Super wonderful people here on BYH have taught me what I needed to know and I’m still learning.
@Rin I think FL crackers are cousins to the Gulf Coast sheep or maybe the same, with different names. Same back story, tough, parasite resistant and survivor sheep.
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- #29
They're definitely distant cousins. UF did genetic testing a while back and found they were distinctly two different breeds from different ancestors (they look slightly different too). They just got created in a similar way, to a similarly harsh environment. It's really amazing how the land shapes the animals over time like that!
If you can't tell already, I'm a pretty huge fan, lol. My crackers are my favorite. If I could only keep one livestock, I'd choose them every time.
Honestly can't tell ya Re: placenta. By the time I was up, she already had him spotless and dry. It not passing yet might be part of why she seems so restless, but I wasn't there so I have no idea.
I had to give up on the head restraint, it was freaking her out more than anything and the idea of leaving her like that for 10 hrs and into the night felt cruel.
If you can't tell already, I'm a pretty huge fan, lol. My crackers are my favorite. If I could only keep one livestock, I'd choose them every time.
Honestly can't tell ya Re: placenta. By the time I was up, she already had him spotless and dry. It not passing yet might be part of why she seems so restless, but I wasn't there so I have no idea.
I had to give up on the head restraint, it was freaking her out more than anything and the idea of leaving her like that for 10 hrs and into the night felt cruel.
