[Jacob-list] Small lamb

[Peg Bostwick]

Hi, Catherine.   Yes, it is fairly common to have a smaller twin.  You can
always offer a bottle to supplement the little one, but in my experience the
little ones quickly learn to get their share - they typically refuse the
offer of a supplement.  Just make sure that the little one finds the teat
and gets a good meal asap.   Also, make sure that both teats are providing
milk.    Once s/he's found the food supply, you are probably okay, but watch
the lambs closely for a couple of days to make sure that they are both
eating.  If little one is weak and hasn't gotten a good start, you may want
to hold or remove the more aggressive lamb now and then to give the little
one an undisturbed meal.  

 

Have fun!   Peg

 

Peg Bostwick

peg at sweetgrass-jacobs.com

517-626-6981

 

From: jacob-list-bounces at jacobsheep.com
[mailto:jacob-list-bounces at jacobsheep.com] On Behalf Of Catherine
Lund-Molfese
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2013 4:47 PM
To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Subject: [Jacob-list] Small lamb

 

We are new to Jacobs and one of our first time ewes, lambed today. She had
twins, but one was much smaller than the other one and doesn't seem to be
getting to nurse enough. What should I do? Is this common? Will the smaller
one survive and is there anything I can do make survival more probable? 

 
Thanks, Catherine

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