Hello,
My black Barbados blackbelly ewe Freckles had 3 lambs last night. 2 were born by the time we went out to close up the birds. We hurriedly had to get them into a shed because one of our other sheep was bothering them. Along the way the 3rd lamb was born, but dead. I did everything to revive it but no luck. The other 2 seem very healthy and happy, but I want to ask a few questions to make sure everything is alright.
They are in a shed about 5'x8'. We had a red heat lamp in there last night to help dry up the lambs and keep them warm. Temp outside was about 35. I just turned the heat lamp off because I read they can get sick with it too much. Is that alright? Our days go up to 50 and nights down into 30s. Will they need the lamp again tonight?
I've checked onthem a few times already this morning, espcially to make certain they are nursing. This is one of the ewes that the previous owner told us we would have to stomach tube feed the lambs. Well I've been feeding them grain and they have lots of milk. Freckles seems to have a large udder, about grapefruit-cantaloupe size. I stripped the teats last night to make certain milk was coming out and it was. The lambs would suckle a bit last night. This morning, I'm a bit worried that they aren't getting much. The lambs will go and find the teat (better than last night), but they will only suckle for a few seconds with their tails whipping, but then stop. Is this normal? Shouldn't they suckle longer??? They are not crying. The littler one is always on his feet, but the bigger one lays down a lot. They were both kind of jumping around just now. Do I need to do antyhign more for them to drink? I have warm molasses water for Freckles. She has plenty of hay to eat. We didn't give her much grain this morning for breakfast which seems to confuse her and she kept sniffing my hands when I visited.
I have more questions, but I want to get answers to the nursing thing first, please,
Thank you very much,
Mouse
My black Barbados blackbelly ewe Freckles had 3 lambs last night. 2 were born by the time we went out to close up the birds. We hurriedly had to get them into a shed because one of our other sheep was bothering them. Along the way the 3rd lamb was born, but dead. I did everything to revive it but no luck. The other 2 seem very healthy and happy, but I want to ask a few questions to make sure everything is alright.
They are in a shed about 5'x8'. We had a red heat lamp in there last night to help dry up the lambs and keep them warm. Temp outside was about 35. I just turned the heat lamp off because I read they can get sick with it too much. Is that alright? Our days go up to 50 and nights down into 30s. Will they need the lamp again tonight?
I've checked onthem a few times already this morning, espcially to make certain they are nursing. This is one of the ewes that the previous owner told us we would have to stomach tube feed the lambs. Well I've been feeding them grain and they have lots of milk. Freckles seems to have a large udder, about grapefruit-cantaloupe size. I stripped the teats last night to make certain milk was coming out and it was. The lambs would suckle a bit last night. This morning, I'm a bit worried that they aren't getting much. The lambs will go and find the teat (better than last night), but they will only suckle for a few seconds with their tails whipping, but then stop. Is this normal? Shouldn't they suckle longer??? They are not crying. The littler one is always on his feet, but the bigger one lays down a lot. They were both kind of jumping around just now. Do I need to do antyhign more for them to drink? I have warm molasses water for Freckles. She has plenty of hay to eat. We didn't give her much grain this morning for breakfast which seems to confuse her and she kept sniffing my hands when I visited.
I have more questions, but I want to get answers to the nursing thing first, please,
Thank you very much,
Mouse
