Last lamb born last night-acting kinda dull now.

[TexasShepherdess]

From one of the new white dorper girls whose only been here about a week..I normally jug them, but this gal was having none of that..takes time to gentle them down sometimes..

Anyway, I got to see the WHOLE process..and of course, did not have my phone, so no pictures....

Good size, healthy looking ram lamb..the year of the rams..ugh..

He nursed..this morning seemed alittle blah..hoping it was just our slightly chilly night that was making him pissy..going home at lunch to check on him..ewe is going into the pen tonight come heck or high water..he was warm this morning, not cold..just not "active" like I would expect.

Any suggestions or experiences on a similar situation? causes?

blurry pic

 

[Remuda1]

Hi Tex, congrats on the lamb . I've found that most of my lambs have slept a lot the first day. Do you think this could be what you are seeing? Is he nursing well and otherwise fine?

 

[TexasShepherdess]

he nursed well last night after being born. I rechecked about 8 and he was napping with momma over him.

this morning he was laying down when I went to feed..I picked him up to make sure he wasnt cold, then set him standing..he kinda wobbled around abit and just stood with his mother..no nursing (mabey he just nursed and was napping and I woke him up?)

The ewe has a bag, but it looks smaller then it did yesterday before she lambed..so Im inclined to think he drank a good amount.

I dont know..going home in abit to check on him..

 

[Remuda1]

How's he doing?

 

[TexasShepherdess]

oh, this is the time, as a producer when ya say.. "Well, at least I learned something and I wont ever do it again."

Got home..lamb had a cut on his ear..he was nursing and acting OK..friend sees LG pup chewing on lamb..ugh..

Thru alittle effort, momma and lamb are now confined..Pup was disaplined...and I feel stupid for leaving a 5 month old pup in a with lambing ewes..I know better..

Lamb looked alittle bewildered..but nursed. I am going to move him and the ewe to a small pen with some rye in it..for about a week or so, until he is stronger and the ewe is more bonded to him.

Ewes will be jugged come heck or high water..and this pup will NOT be in with newborns..

 

[Erins Little Farm]

I hope your lamb feels better. He's really pretty!

 

[Remuda1]

Bleccchhh! I know exactly what you mean. My dogs turned a year old Jan 9., I still have not let them attend a birthing unsupervised. The white one (Penny) still wants to play with the lambs, but only the bottle babies. She will paw at them and likes it when the little ram decides to butt her. She just wants to play but......you know. The other dog (Sophie) is easier to trust. If i correct her, it sticks and i dont have to worry about her going back to the undesireable behaviour as soon as i turn my back. I'm So glad that it's something you can easily correct. Very glad it's not something medical and I'm glad that he's thriving otherwise.

YAY, another healthy happy lamb

 

[aggieterpkatie]

How's he doing today? Was his navel dipped in iodine? If he's still sluggish I'd check his temp ASAP. He may have navel ill which could be causing the unthriftiness. Hope he's doing better though!

 

[TexasShepherdess]

Yes, navel doctored at birth..

So an update..this morning, lamb VERY listless..and cold..wouldnt stand..I held him up and he nursed for a moment..then no more..

Took him to an experienced sheep friend's house (thank goodness for friends!) and we made up a small bottle of milk replacer..got some down him..put him in front of the heater. I think this is a combination of getting chilled..and the dog messing with him..

He is now at work with me, a spaceheater blowing on him....he napped..and woke up abit ago..eyes were EXTREMLY bright..is now napping again. Will give him some more of the bottle in abit...and we'll see how the day progresses. Ive come to terms with the fact I may have a bottle lamb on my hands..but Im hoping he is strong enough by the end of the day that he can go back into the jug with his mother...

Will update..hes a fighter for sure..

Sheep rearing 101..LOL

 

[aggieterpkatie]

That's good that he's doing better now. Another question...have you checked the ewe's udder? Is it producing milk?