Lamb size and behavior

[Giovanni]

Hi everyone! I have 3 sheep, an ewe and her twins, and was wondering if their behavior was normal. They are almost as tall as her at 4 months, although not as heavy, they weigh 40 pounds each and she weighs 75, definitely not a meat breed. When they go to nurse they are not gentle at all, lifting her up and headbutting. This caused her to only nurse for two or three seconds. Would this cause any problems for them in the long run?

 

[Sheepshape]

Sounds entirely normal to me. Bang into udder, mum's rear lifted, stay for about 2 seconds, then mum moves off............This will continue for a month or two if they are left with her. If they're ram lambs I'd take them off her soon, as they will develop an 'unhealthy interest' in her.

 

[Giovanni]

Sounds entirely normal to me. Bang into udder, mum's rear lifted, stay for about 2 seconds, then mum moves off............This will continue for a month or two if they are left with her. If they're ram lambs I'd take them off her soon, as they will develop an 'unhealthy interest' in her.

Thanks! And yeah I'm already looking for another one to replace him... If not he'll go to freezer camp because lamb meat is very expensive here but live animals are very cheap.

 

[Jennifer Hinkle]

Our lambs do the same thing to the ewes. We will be separating ours at around 3 months, especially the twins we have(one ram, one ewe). The ewes tend to start to refuse to let them nurse, thats why we do it around this time, besides they are getting bigger.

 

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