Search results

Hi there, this is the first time I've had a chance to log in - worn out from taking care of my own neonatal! I'm just guessing, but she might be having pastern/leg issues due to her small size and undeveloped muscles (the cast is throwing her out of balance). Young animals are very resilient...

I know this is late but, to help prevent bloat, provide free choice baking soda - you can add it to the loose mineral or put it in a separate dish. It's a natural bicarbonate, good for indigestion (I use it too!) and sheep love it. Severe cases may require more than this, but for occasional...

LOL, what a girl! :D =D You're right, they can be very compliant - I once saw a yearling ewe trying to mount my ram! And, that was after they had already coupled a few times o_O

FYI, when you have an accidental or unwanted breeding, you can ask your vet for an injection of Lutalyse. It will cause them to cycle in 2-4 days and evacuate any unwanted embryo. I had some weanlings together (4 month olds!) and saw the little ram mount the ewe lamb - I couldn't believe she...

Hey Baymule, glad I can help! I could recommend a great reference book, if you plan to raise sheep, it's a wonderful help. Unlike other books on sheep.... It's called "Managing Your Ewe and Her Newborn Lambs," by Laura Lawson. It is step by step for real problem solving and includes...

It is sooo hard! I think you're right though.... For a while I thought I had a dumb lamb, but she clearly isn't - she runs to me when she sees me, she took interest in the kitty and she can follow mom around without trouble.... I'm sure you're right. I'll stay in the house tonight and enjoy my...

Thank you goatgurl, I was wondering if it might make her more dependent on me - at one day old she runs to me when I go in the stall, that's not a good sign! So I'm forcing myself to stay in the house for a while :idunnoShe's getting better at finding the teat and she fights me less when I try...

LOL, I sure hope so! It seems like it's hit and miss :barnie. I tubed her a couple of times today and then watched her run to momma and look for a teat.... I think later I'll get coffee and just go sit in the stall with them and watch for a while. I think she must be getting more than I...

Thanks guys! Yeah I went out at 10am and she was poking around looking for the teat in front of her face! So I tubed her again. - Then she immediately ran over to momma and tried to nurse more, so I helped her find it and she latched on just fine and nursed for 45 seconds or a minute. Maybe...

Hey there! Can somebody advise me on this? Yesterday at noon I had ram/ewe lambs born. Fairly even in size. The ewe seemed a little weak from the start, but not too bad. They finally got up to nurse, but she can't seem to locate the teat. I got frustrated just watching, so I tried to help. I...

I'm coming to this a little too late, but I'll post anyway.... when I have a new lamb not doing well - give it an enema first, before feeding it. They can't regulate temperatures until they're about 3 days old, and when they get a chill it causes constipation. Then, they either lose appetite or...

Good to hear it! I've had a couple of trips and twins that were uneven at birth, and ususally they even out by weaning time....it's good to know others have similar experience :)

Cool, thank you for the input, I worry about it every time I see the nursing lambs nibbling on it. After I wean, they get grass hay or pasture, but when the dams are lactating I feed alfalfa, and of course the little ones want what momma's having!

I'm not an expert on Dorpers, but they look crossbred - I say that because of the mottled/broken black hood. I think the purebreds have a solid black hood. Maybe ;-) Other than that one thing, I'm not sure. Baymule seems to agree with that reasoning... That's a good price, $65 each.

Exactly! - I get the same thing from my fiance, he says he understands why I do what I do, but he still thinks it's "cruel"....no, cruel is not letting her learn the job and then having to re-home her because I messed her up! That's cruel.... I do care about her very much, but I didn't buy her...

We don't normally have sub freezing temps for long periods. Mostly it's just rain and 35 at night, 45 during the day. So, I try to keep bedding dry - I like the cheap hay too, as opposed to straw. If there are new lambs and it's cold, I'll put a heat lamp out for them (firmly secured). Other...

LGD's roam by nature, but especially if they're bored or *not bonded to their flock* - And, I think, there lies the crux of your problem with Mara. She simply is not bonded to the flock. It sounds like she's bonded to you. For the safety of your dog, I would suggest putting a hot wire on your...

4 months old! They mature early!

I think, genetically speaking, it would be just fine to breed your group....even if you line bred for a bit, the most likely problem you'd see is a decrease in fertility rates. That's usually the first thing to go wrong. I always wait until my ewe lambs are a year old. I'm just not in that big...

Soarwitheagles - I can see all the eyes back there in the dark! :p