Teresa & Mike CHS - Our journal

[Mike CHS]

We tried something today that may or not work longer term but we shall see. We had the ram lamb in with a couple of ewes that had just had their lambs to see if we couldn't interest one of the ewes into adopting him without having to try a forced graft first. The original plan was to get the afterbirth from the next ewe that lambed but the ewes must have eaten it because there was none to be found.

Anyway, the lambs dam was at a gate not far from where we were and as I was going through she made a beeline through the gap and reclaimed her baby. The lamb immediately started to nurse but we won't know if he is getting any milk. She is letting him nurse but we have taken a bottle out a couple of times to make sure he is getting enough. We will continue to do that 3-4 times a day until we know for sure he is getting enough. The ewe was confused as we fed her baby and you could tell she doesn't understand why her baby wouldn't go with her as she walked away from us. She is also confused as to why her baby has the nerve to go up to those mean dogs and rub noses. The creep feeder will go out before too long and he is starting to nibble on grass so maybe we can turn him back into a sheep.

 

[Baymule]

His momma decided she wants to feed him, that’s good news!

 

[Mike CHS]

He appears to be getting milk from her as he only took two ounces from the bottle when we went out just before dark. He was drinking 4-5 ounces at a feeding before so he wasn't hungry. She has tried to get to him before but we weren't sure if she had let milk down. MA MA MA MA MA MA at 3:00 AM so we decided to try it.

 

[Mini Horses]

GOOD NEWS!!! I'm loving it....know you two are!

 

[Mike CHS]

GOOD NEWS!!! I'm loving it....know you two are!

We have had a few bottle lambs but this boy was unique. From the minute that we picked him up and brought him in and doing the little bit of work we did with him, he totally accepted us, he was house trained, won over our dogs and reunited with his Momma all in three days. What is nice is that when we went out to take a bottle he comes when we call Little Bit and his mom stands there and watches with no idea what has gone on.

 

[Baymule]

He is unique, you might want to hold off on making him a wether. If he hits all the check points for a flock sire, his personality might put him over the top. Because of his no fear and acceptance of people, he could be aggressive, but maybe not. It might be worth a look see.

 

[Mike CHS]

Little Bit doesn't seem to be getting a lot of milk out of his dam but he still comes when he is called and that is working. I put the four ewes and their lambs in the stall so we will go ahead and do ear tags after they settle down some and one of them needs her hooves checked since she is limping a bit.

We have an invasion of Asian Lady Bugs and they are everywhere. They look mostly like regular Lady Bugs but these things bite.

 

[Baymule]

The Asian lady bugs are swarming here today. It’s warm and sunny, they are looking for somewhere to spend the winter.

Is Little Bit staying with his mom now?

 

[Mike CHS]

Little Bit is staying with her but it doesn't seem to be getting much if any milk from her but he comes to us for a bottle so it's working.

 

[Mini Horses]

I had to bottle feed one of triplets when mom fed only 2 of them...she did all else in caring for all 3, not allowing this one to nurse. I'd go with bottle, she'd come to a call, nurse and then join others. Worked for me as she learned to be a goat. Still have her.