SheepGirl's 2012 Lambing Thread

[SheepGirl]

That ewes teats are HUGE! Are they warm and hard also? I had a ewe that had an udder that started looking like that. For some reason she started producing milk again even though her lambs had been weaned for 2 months. I thought maybe it would go away quickly but it didn't. Thankfully the breeder down the road had some excellent medicine for early mastitis in sheep. One was a steroid I think. As soon as I gave her the shot, the next day the udder was half her size. I believe the shot was called dexamethasone. It helped a lot. Thought I would mention that in case you needed something.

They are warm, but they aren't hot. They are soft and flexible. She is my ewe that had quads, but now her daughter (my 2009 ewe, Ali) has started to produce milk and now she's feeding the lambs, even though Ciqala (the ewe with the big teats) is still watching them and calling to them. I have been milking her out to try to relieve some of the pressure in her teats. After I milk her out her teats get down to almost normal size.

If she does develop mastitis, I will keep the dexamethasone in mind, thanks!

 

[Southdown]

What is the dexamath. ? I don't know much about treating mastitis? But I would like to know more.

 

[SheepGirl]

Dexamathasone is an anti-inflammatory steroid so it works because mastitis in an inflammation of the mammary gland. It is RX so I would have to get it from my vet should I need it.

But my ewe had normal sized teats until my other ewe came into milk and my lambs preferred her milk over Ciqala's milk. So her teats became really big due to the lack of nursing from the lambs so they filled with milk. But I've been working on her but she produces so much milk. So I'm going to try to dry her off and then just let Ali nurse the babies.

 

[SheepGirl]

The lambs turned 2 weeks old today and I weighed them.

Lady Gaga - 9.5 lbs
Katy Perry - 14 lbs

 

[SheepGirl]

Katy Perry is full of energy. I swear, somebody must've snuck her some cotton candy from the carnival that went on this past week 2 miles from our house. She's running back and forth across the pen jumping two feet in the air. Lady Gaga is more reserved and would rather hang out with her momma at the feeder nibbling on pieces of hay. When Katy Perry really gets into her play, she goes over to Lady Gaga and tries to hump her. I've never seen a ewe lamb do this--let alone a lamb this young. My sheep just keep throwing me curve balls left and right

 

[autumnprairie]

Katy Perry is full of energy. I swear, somebody must've snuck her some cotton candy from the carnival that went on this past week 2 miles from our house. She's running back and forth across the pen jumping two feet in the air. Lady Gaga is more reserved and would rather hang out with her momma at the feeder nibbling on pieces of hay. When Katy Perry really gets into her play, she goes over to Lady Gaga and tries to hump her. I've never seen a ewe lamb do this--let alone a lamb this young. My sheep just keep throwing me curve balls left and right

Thanks I needed to smile after the day I have had.

 

[Southdown]

At least I'm not the only one. My ewe lambs try to hump the other lambs too. I thought only the boy lambs would do that, but no. Dixie mounted her brother. But they're just playing around and chasing and jumping and being cute.

 

[SheepGirl]

Katy Perry is full of energy. I swear, somebody must've snuck her some cotton candy from the carnival that went on this past week 2 miles from our house. She's running back and forth across the pen jumping two feet in the air. Lady Gaga is more reserved and would rather hang out with her momma at the feeder nibbling on pieces of hay. When Katy Perry really gets into her play, she goes over to Lady Gaga and tries to hump her. I've never seen a ewe lamb do this--let alone a lamb this young. My sheep just keep throwing me curve balls left and right

Thanks I needed to smile after the day I have had.

Haha, no problem

I read your journal and I'm sorry about your goat

At least I'm not the only one. My ewe lambs try to hump the other lambs too. I thought only the boy lambs would do that, but no. Dixie mounted her brother. But they're just playing around and chasing and jumping and being cute.

Okay...that's good lol. I was worried I might have a gay sheep I wouldn't be able to breed Out of 100-200 lambs my neighbor has had born at his farm that I've been around, I've never seen a ewe lamb do that.

 

[Southdown]

Well, I guess we both have rare sheep with unusual behaviors. Go figure.

 

[bluebirdsnfur]

Yep, I enjoy reading your daily sheep blog with my morning coffee!