UPDATE Miller is thriving... mommy sheep is lopsided.. thoughts?

[Bossroo]

Single lambs will usually only nurse on the one side. Your ewe's udder, though unattractive, should be fine, so I wouldn't worry about trying to get it to even out.

??? ... I have raised hundreds of lambs, quite a few were singles... all of the singles ALWAYS nursed from both sides of the udder. This ewe may be suffering from mastitis on the one side, therefore it may be sore so she is not allowing her ewe lamb to nurse on that side.

 

[Hillsvale]

She does not have mastis... I posted because I was concerned she would get it with baby only nursing the one side. The lamb is a twin, she immediately rejected the second born. I can milk it while she's eating grain.. she hates it but will allow it. I have only milked out a bit to relieve pressure.

 

[Remuda1]

Hills, I have read that some lambs have to be "introduced" to the other side. What I've read says you should hold the lamb to the un-nursed side a few times till they get the hang of it. Sort of like a right handed learning how to use their left hand I suppose. In any case, it may be worth a shot..... Hope this helps

 

[Hillsvale]

Hills, I have read that some lambs have to be "introduced" to the other side. What I've read says you should hold the lamb to the un-nursed side a few times till they get the hang of it. Sort of like a right handed learning how to use their left hand I suppose. In any case, it may be worth a shot..... Hope this helps

I thought we may try this tonight while she is getting her grain..

 

[aggieterpkatie]

all of the singles ALWAYS nursed from both sides of the udder. This ewe may be suffering from mastitis on the one side, therefore it may be sore so she is not allowing her ewe lamb to nurse on that side.

This has been my experience as well. Could be the lamb is young and as she gets older she'll figure out there are 2 taps!

 

[SheepGirl]

Well our lambs might just be downright dumb!! Our single lambs always nurse one side all the way through weaning...you can tell just by looking at the mom's udder (plus I never see them attempt to go to the other side).

 

[Hillsvale]

our single guy hit the full bar up last year... continued to try right up to the day he turned 6 months and was sent for processing! Little miss couldn't handle both buy I will pin mommy into a corner nd try and get the ewe lamb to work the room.

 

[Remuda1]

Hills, I have read that some lambs have to be "introduced" to the other side. What I've read says you should hold the lamb to the un-nursed side a few times till they get the hang of it. Sort of like a right handed learning how to use their left hand I suppose. In any case, it may be worth a shot..... Hope this helps

I thought we may try this tonight while she is getting her grain..

Let us know how it goes good luck!

 

[Hillsvale]

Ewe lamb was having NONE of that side of the ewes udder however well much to her displeasure but greedy guts for the grain, Miller was put on that side and he was hungry (his teat bucket was drained of the 4 cups we put in this morning).. so he nursed enought to take the edge off him until I could sanitize his bucket. Mommy definately does not have mastis and hopefully we will prevent anything by letting him nurse a bit to relieve pressure in the evenings... she definately was not as big this evening as she was on Saturday...