-Resolved- LAMB JUST BORN! HELP? Don't know if I should interfere; not really prepared for this

[Childwanderer]

It hasn't rained or gone below freezing since they left the barn, so they're enjoying the weather. I felt the time was right to bring her back to the flock from a combination of weather forecast and watching the mom's behavior. She switched from being apathetic about the stall door to eagerly hovering around the door with her lamb close beside her, hoping to be let out. I still put out bedding for them and they have a rain-wind-and-sun shelter on the pasture.

 

[RathdrumGal]

Nursemate Lamb ASAP is a fantastic product. It is an electrolyte/ probiotic gel that you squirt into the corners of the newborn's mouth. It gives the newborn energy until they can find the teat and start getting colostrum. It helps weak newborns. I know it has saved some weak babies. I now use it routinely for all of my lambs and kid newborns. Go slow when you squirt it in and make sure the babies are swallowing, you don't want the babies to aspirate. Buy some to have on hand for those middle of the night births. One syringe does about 4 babies.

 

[RathdrumGal]

Yes, next time I'll definitely stock up in advance! The lamb, whom we have named Chinchilla, is one week old and has moved with her mother out of the barn into the rotational paddock with the rest of the flock. She is high-energy and in good health. Yesterday she started testing the other sheep's patiences, jumping on them and systematically making herself the maximum nuisance to them. She is learning about grazing, too. she'll mimic her mom eating and gum on grass and hay. She's so cute! She tolerates petting well and lets us hold her for cuddles.

So happy to hear that things are going well! You sound like my DH -- he is so proud every time one of our goat kids passes a developmental milestone!

May I recommend a baby box if your lamb is now out with the other adult sheep? A baby box is simply a three sided wooden box laid on it's side. It is tall enough so that the baby can crawl in to sleep and be protected from the other adult sheep, but not so tall that the other sheep can get it. It gives lambs and kids a snuggly place to sleep and get away from the adults. We have lost kids who were possibly crushed by my full sized sheep. Some pens have feeders that serve the same purpose.