How do we deal with full udders after our Ewe's baby dies?

[Heather gray]

We need help with our Ewe, Millie who's baby died yesterday. Millie's udders are very full and I am concerned she may develop heath problems. Should we release some of her milk or do we just allow her milk to dry up? Thanks you for any help you can give us!!

 

[BlessedWithGoats]

So sorry about the lamb that you lost!
Do you have any use for the milk?
Tagging some people that might be able to help you... @SheepGirl, @BrownSheep, @Parsnip... and maybe some goat people would have advice too? @Sweetened, @Pearce Pastures, @Goat Whisperer

 

[bonbean01]

So sorry your lamb died I have not had experience with this problem, but personally I would try to milk out colostrum to freeze should a lamb need it in the future...my Dad did this with cattle. My concern would be with mastitis in your ewe...hoping someone with knowledge and experience with this answers you soon. Again...so sorry about your lamb!

 

[Sweetened]

You could milk her. Especially if the lamb was new, youd be surprised how readily mom would stand.

If the lamb was new, id collect that colostrum. In the wild, the ewe would dry up -- animals prone to infection would die off. Some people will milk only a little when they look uncomfortably engorged, largebproducers leave them to absorb.

Sheep milk is rich! And delicious. Makes delicious cheese. I would take advantage of it if you have the time.

 

[Heather gray]

So sorry about the lamb that you lost!
Do you have any use for the milk?
Tagging some people that might be able to help you... @SheepGirl, @BrownSheep, @Parsnip... and maybe some goat people would have advice too? @Sweetened, @Pearce Pastures, @Goat Whisperer

 

[Heather gray]

Thank you for your condolences and tagging other shephards . It has been really hard for everyone and especially our Millie.

 

[Heather gray]

You could milk her. Especially if the lamb was new, youd be surprised how readily mom would stand.

If the lamb was new, id collect that colostrum. In the wild, the ewe would dry up -- animals prone to infection would die off. Some people will milk only a little when they look uncomfortably engorged, largebproducers leave them to absorb.

Sheep milk is rich! And delicious. Makes delicious cheese. I would take advantage of it if you have the time.

 

[Heather gray]

Thank you for the great ideas and turning a very sad situation into something good.​

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Good ideas here. So sorry to hear about your loss. Saving colostrum is a good idea. If you want to milk the sheep, it may take some work to get her trained for it but I have heard the milk is pretty good. Otherwise, it is fine to just let her dry off.

 

[BrownSheep]

We tend to milk just enough out that it relieves a little bit of preassure but other wise we leave them be.