[Jacob-list] Rejected lamb

[Linda]

You have a yearling ewe that is more interested in when you feed hay 
than her lamb. If she had lambed before feeding time, it might have 
worked out differently. Your yearling ewe is easily distracted. I worry 
about a ewe that doesn't clean her lamb more than I worry about a ewe 
that takes a long time to let her lamb nurse, but if you (or your LGD! 
which happens) cleans the lamb or interrupts the birthing/bonding 
process, the ewe is less likely to bond. I would give her another chance 
if I really liked her. .

On 5/12/2011 10:38 AM, Joshua Bourget wrote:

> Hello everyone, I had a yearling ewe first time mom lamb yesterday 

> with a great 2 horned ram lamb that she wanted nothing to do with. I 

> was unaware of her being about to lamb, and threw hay to them quick 

> then i noticed she was having it. I watched him come out, and then the 

> mother ran over and started eating hay, didnt lick him off at all, and 

> after i cleaned him and let him nurse a little off her, she still 

> wouldnt let him neer. I brought him into the house, and gave him 

> colustrum and a few bottles, and today my girlfriends taking him to a 

> friend of ours who has goats, and they are going to raise him on a 

> does milk from their farm. I have no time for a bottle baby working 55 

> hours a week,

> So my question is this...Will this ewe be a better mother next time 

> around? and actually care for her lamb? or should i consider removing 

> her from my flock. Has anybody had experience with bad first time moms 

> that turned out to be great moms once they were older?? i hate to get 

> rid of her but i only have room for productive members of the flock 

> and if she isnt going to raise her lambs thats not what i want. I will 

> try to re breed her this fall and see if she will support a lamb next 

> year.

> Josh Bourget

> www.fiercehornfarm.com <http://www.fiercehornfarm.com>

>

>

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