Sheepshape
Herd Master
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Triplets and higher multiples can lead to one or more very undersized and, at times, non-viable lambs.
I thought I'd show you what became of a lucky couple of mine.
1. ARYA
Arya, last of triplets born to an old mother. Difficult birth, two lambs (Arya plus a much larger ram lamb) being born simultaneously..ram head first, Arya tail first. Arya was pushed back to allow ram lamb to be born, then Arya born....not breathing. Arya very blue....mouth to muzzle....several fits, then began to breathe....a couple of pounds of thin, weak, slimy life. Taken to the house, urine black from muscle breakdown the following day, but would take a bottle (small amounts)
Day One
16 months later....
2. SHIRLEY
Born in early April this year....the third to be born of triplets. The first two were large ram lambs. Shirley was born VERY quickly, tail first and with the sac across her face. Sac quickly removed and breathed after a little persuasion....but MINUTE. Taken to the house and, again,took synthetic colostrum in small amounts from a bottle, but, at just 2.5 lbs didn't look destined to to live. However.....here is Shirley at a week (wearing an extra-small dog coat).
Here is Shirley now.
Both ewes are as big (if not bigger) than their contemporaries and are fit and healthy having suffered no significant illnesses since their traumatic births.
Not all are so lucky by any means, but it does underline the importance of trying if you are in a position to do so.
I thought I'd show you what became of a lucky couple of mine.
1. ARYA
Arya, last of triplets born to an old mother. Difficult birth, two lambs (Arya plus a much larger ram lamb) being born simultaneously..ram head first, Arya tail first. Arya was pushed back to allow ram lamb to be born, then Arya born....not breathing. Arya very blue....mouth to muzzle....several fits, then began to breathe....a couple of pounds of thin, weak, slimy life. Taken to the house, urine black from muscle breakdown the following day, but would take a bottle (small amounts)
Day One
16 months later....
2. SHIRLEY
Born in early April this year....the third to be born of triplets. The first two were large ram lambs. Shirley was born VERY quickly, tail first and with the sac across her face. Sac quickly removed and breathed after a little persuasion....but MINUTE. Taken to the house and, again,took synthetic colostrum in small amounts from a bottle, but, at just 2.5 lbs didn't look destined to to live. However.....here is Shirley at a week (wearing an extra-small dog coat).
Here is Shirley now.
Both ewes are as big (if not bigger) than their contemporaries and are fit and healthy having suffered no significant illnesses since their traumatic births.
Not all are so lucky by any means, but it does underline the importance of trying if you are in a position to do so.
They are beautiful sheep too!
