newborn sheep problem

[pslamont]

My most recent mom seems to be rejecting her babies. She raises her leg and even kicks to keep them from nursing. Her udder is FULL. I did a little hand milking with EXTREME resistance from her to be sure her ducts were not blocked but I got some colostrum so not only is there flow but the babies have not eaten yet and it is almost 36 hours.

I have tried hand (bottle) feeding them with a supplement but they resist extremely. I got a little in. I have removed the three of them from the herd to a warm dry outbuilding (sorry Royal.. your food shed is being used), provided mom with food and water and a little straw on the floor. I have held the babies to her teat and they kind of get it but she pushes them away pretty fast.

For now I am hoping they will sort it out. I left the babies some formula in a bowl though I doubt they will take it. I am beat from a long day and heading to bed early.

If they survive the night and I can force feed them I will be looking for a home for the babies and mom, not necessarily together. I will not breed her again if she can't handle this. The babies are both males and have not been banded yet. If anyone wants them to hand raise let me know right away. Mom would be a good yard grazer.

Pam

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[DoryGray]

Hi Pam,

I had the same problem w/ St. Croix who usually deliver twins & reject the weaker one. After bottle feeding one a month, it did make it, but is small. After some research, I decided to tie the mom's legs to two trees & force her to accept the lamb. After a day of this, she accepted & nursed the previously rejected lamb till weaning. It must be done immediately or the lamb will die. This is the best method I have found. Good luck.

[pslamont]

YAYYYYYYY

This morning Mom is nursing both babies. I will keep them isolated for the day then put them back out to pasture, unless someone ha some other input.



Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[DoryGray]

DUCKY!!!! []

[james weatherford]

for a cow that is rejecting her own or an extra calf being put on 'em, there are a couple of items:
spread the placenta on the (espec orphan) baby real well so the mother is sure to smell it; and, this one can really do the trick:
have a dog nearby, so that the mother will undertake to protect the baby.
Your situation may have evolved past the above, although the dog could still help.

good luck!

James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park

[pslamont]

Turned mom and babies into the general pasture with the rest of the sheep. Fortunately it was a warm and sunny day so not stressful. We put fresh straw in the sheep house floor to make it cozy for everyone. Fed lots of grain and papays. Everyoe seems happy. I still have concerns about one of the two not nursing long enough but we shall see. At least I know she is letting them nurse and her udder seems not so red and sore. It's not as swollen as it was so they must be getting milk to drain it down. Heck I am learning all this myself.

All these lambs are just so cute!!!!

Pam

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!