[Jacob-list] Rejected lamb

[Cathy Robinson]

There have been some interesting responses to Josh's questions, many 
have prompted some questions of my own.

Are a lot of you breeding ewe lambs to deliver for the first time as 
yearlings?

We do not breed our ewe lambs, for several reasons, but this scenario 
being one of them.  All of our ewes deliver for the first time as 
two-year-olds; many produce twins at that point and we feel they are 
better equipped to deal with motherhood with another year of maturity 
behind them, both mentally and physically.   We have had a few purchased 
ewes deliver as yearlings.  Some did great, others not so great.

While we are not "over the top" in the care of our sheep, I do believe 
that they should be given every opportunity and advantage to succeed on 
their own.  It doesn't surprise me that a ewe, just a year old herself, 
might not have it together enough to be an excellent mother under the 
circumstances described.  I would never cull her for that reason alone 
at this point in time.    If the ewe had been given a quiet spot to be 
with the lamb once delivered, it could have turned out differently.  
There are just so many variables in this scenario, even the basic 
personality of the ewe herself.

Cathy
Perfect Spot Farm
http://perfectspot-farm.com/


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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