Please help--triplets!

[SpringCrkFarmTN]

I have a Katahdin ewe that just had triplets last night. We put her & babies in a stall with feed & water. She readily accepts them all but seems bewildered when 2 try to nurse & she sees 1 not nursing. She turns around & nudges them all back there, sees 1 not nursing, turns around & here we go again! One of the babies is quite a bit smaller & I am afraid he will get left out & get weaker. I gave them the lamb paste/gel for newborns. Should I supplement him with a feeding & let him stay with mama & his brothers overnight or just go ahead & make him a bottle baby? I hate to do that as I think mamas do a better job raising them but we have never had triplets! Thanks for all your help!

 

[Latestarter]

First, greetings and welcome to BYH! Congrats on trips! That's a bit unusual, isn't it? All three are rams? Ummm @secuono @purplequeenvt @Roving Jacobs @Sheepshape Any recommendations? I'd say if you want to keep all three with mama, then do so, but check up regularly (every couple of hours) to make sure the littlest one is getting fed. If not, you may have no choice but to pull him. Good luck, and glad to have you with us!
Just doing a little math, the number of sheeple is growing at a rate that will bring y'all even with the goaties in no time at all!

 

[maritown]

I don't have experience with sheep but have seen goats with triplets do the same thing. We held her while babies nursed 3 or 4 times a day and made sure all 3 had full stomachs. After a few days she settled in and turning was no longer an issue. Good luck!!

 

[SpringCrkFarmTN]

Oh thank you both for your help. We have about 45-50 babies right now & more on the way. Never had triplets before though. Yes, all 3 are rams but that isn't a bad thing. We raise them up to about 80 pounds & sell them as grass fed. So far this year we are at 50/50 rams vs ewes overall. Thanks again!

 

[Latestarter]

Are you raising pure bred Katahdins? Do you ever sell ewes for breeding? I'll most likely be moving to KY this summer and along with goats want to get a few sheep for breeding for meat. No interest in wool/shearing/spinning... I might have to keep you in the back of my mind as a possible place to purchase them from (after I move & get settled).

 

[SpringCrkFarmTN]

Yes, purebred Katahdins. We are in middle Tennessee so just let me know when you get moved & see how far we will be from each other. If too far, I can give some recommendations on breeding stock closer to you. Thanks again!

 

[secuono]

Is she a first time mom? That breed has triplets often, I hear.
Moms can count, but she should settle down in a couple days. If you can, go out and check on them several times a day/night and you should soon start seeing the mom chill out. If the small one seems weak and getting weaker, then I'd pull him and bottle feed.
I had one set of triplets, they eventually figured out a pattern to feed.

 

[SpringCrkFarmTN]

Thank you. I am encouraged by your response, she might get it figured out. Just went out to check again & they are all doing well. The smallest one nursed while I was there. I'll go down & check again in a couple of hours. Thanks for all your help!

 

[babsbag]

I have a friend in KY that raise Katahdins, hundreds of them, and she always pulls one of the triplets and bottle raises it. She says that it will grow better and the remaining two will grow better so a win win all the way around; except for you as you have to feed it.

 

[SpringCrkFarmTN]

Thanks for your advice. What does your friend feed, brand wise, as supplement? We just came back from the barn & they seem to be doing well but I may find that I have to do a bottle feeding in the morning. I have supplemental lamb colostrum & milk replacement of course, but it's always good to get the best. I am sure your friend has a preferred brand. Thanks so much!