Preparing for lambs

[halfacrehomesteader]

Ewe? Ram?
They are adorable!

One of each. It hasn't been perfectly smooth. I had to kind of watch to make sure she was feeding the ram. She favors the ewe but it looks like she is letting the ram nurse when the ewe is. It is scary when I don't have the knowledge to know the best calls to make. I have read and read but only experience and advice from others means the most.

 

[Baymule]

I studied here for 5 years before I actually got sheep. While I learned a lot, when faced with reality, I was dumb as a rock. LOL

My BYH family was the greatest help! I don’t know what I would have done without the wonderful people and support I got.

I’ve had sheep 10 years and I’ve been fortunate to not have a lot of problems. When I do, I can handle most of them, just from everyone sharing what they know.

Take a deep breath, you will learn and grow with your sheep.

 

[halfacrehomesteader]

I think the ram lamb is being totally rejected now. I'm not sure what to do. I hate to jump to conclusions but he is being head bumped by her every time he tries to eat. The one she prefers is getting bigger but the other looks thinner. If I bring him in can I feed him the powdered colostrum? I thought she was going to let him nurse so I didn't buy formula so all I have is colostrum powder.

 

[halfacrehomesteader]

When I went back out to check on them he was hanging out relaxing and seems fine I just don't want her to stomp him. She doesn't really mess with him just bumps him away if he tries to eat. I have definitely seen him nurse she just doesn't let him freely nurse. It's usually just when the other one is nursing or when he gets a quick steal in here and there.

 

[Baymule]

Quick check to see if he’s being fed.
Stick your finger in his mouth, if it’s warm, he’s eating. Look at his tummy. Round and full, he’s ok, empty and hollow, he’s not eating.

There’s something called jugging. That’s penning up moms with new lambs for several days so they can bond. If you don’t have a small pen, you can put one up with pallets, hog panels cut in half or what ever you have.

I had a ewe reject her ram lamb so I jugged them. The hateful thing was intent on murdering him. I put a dog collar on her and tied her to a post in a corner. I bowed a hog panel to make a jug and attached it to the wire with carabiners on both was. I stretched a small tarp, secured with zip ties, over it for shade. She could reach a bucket of water and hay. The ram learned to sneak up behind her when her favorite, the ewe lamb, nursed.

I checked on her multiple times a day, it was a rough set up. I untied her at night and she butted the ram. I did that for a week. Then left her untied for several days so I could make sure he was sneaking milk when his sister got milk.

Your ewe doesn’t sound murderous. I think simply jugging her and lambs will be ok.

 

[Mini Horses]

Also, if you don't have powdered formula, heated whole milk can be bottled. I add some canned milk for a concentrated flavor, more like moms milk. I've supplemented a bottle or 2 a day and the less favored got both some mom & mine. Did fine. They become more aggressive as they age a couple weeks but, ya keep them full & strong until.

 

[halfacrehomesteader]

Quick check to see if he’s being fed.
Stick your finger in his mouth, if it’s warm, he’s eating. Look at his tummy. Round and full, he’s ok, empty and hollow, he’s not eating.

There’s something called jugging. That’s penning up moms with new lambs for several days so they can bond. If you don’t have a small pen, you can put one up with pallets, hog panels cut in half or what ever you have.

I had a ewe reject her ram lamb so I jugged them. The hateful thing was intent on murdering him. I put a dog collar on her and tied her to a post in a corner. I bowed a hog panel to make a jug and attached it to the wire with carabiners on both was. I stretched a small tarp, secured with zip ties, over it for shade. She could reach a bucket of water and hay. The ram learned to sneak up behind her when her favorite, the ewe lamb, nursed.

I checked on her multiple times a day, it was a rough set up. I untied her at night and she butted the ram. I did that for a week. Then left her untied for several days so I could make sure he was sneaking milk when his sister got milk.

Your ewe doesn’t sound murderous. I think simply jugging her and lambs will be ok.

Thanks so much. I think henmust be getting enough. I took him off to the side and tried to feed him a bottle to see if I could sneak supplemental feedings in and he wanted nothing to do with it. He just wanted back with his momma. I noticed this morning he is good about sneaking in here and there for some milk. Maybe he will be okay. They are pinned up together all night so that probably helps.