orphaned lamb

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jamsam

Joined: 21 Oct 2005
Posts: 2560
Location: erm....i dont know, its dark.

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 06 8:36 am Post subject: orphaned lamb
im taking on my first orphan today, its the smallest of triplet lambs born last week. am i mad??? my mum has lots of experience and im hoping i will learn...help!!!!

Gervase

Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 8655

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 06 3:54 pm Post subject:
Mad? Of course you are! Be prepared for the night-time feeds. And for a lot of noise from the little bleater! (Honestly, whoever coined the phrase 'Silence of the Lambs' must've been barking)

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18415

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 06 4:15 pm Post subject:
You'll be fine, and so will the lamb. Keep it fed (check that its little belly is full when you've finished). Keep it warm, if need be (tho' I assume it's a healthy one - might be a bit small if it's the spare triplet). If its wee ears start to droop, it isn't happy (assuming it's a breed with pricked-up ears). Must go

Gervase

Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 8655

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 06 7:35 pm Post subject:
Gil's right - don't panic, and enjoy it. Lambs are cute! You'll probably worry enough for two over every little hiccup (Just like someone I know!), but if they're sucking well and now cold and wet, they are remarkably tought little critters.

Cathryn

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 06 8:14 pm Post subject:
Also a terrible nuisance if it's a he! Because when it gets bigger it will not run away when you come into the field but come up to you (unexpectedly) and butt you hard in the back of the knees

Bernie66

Joined: 14 Jan 2005
Posts: 13967
Location: Eastoft

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 06 8:33 pm Post subject:
At least its food if times are hard

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46212
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 06 9:25 pm Post subject:
easier than kids if it dont work out, dinner . if it does work out , dinner . sorry thats horrid , little critters need lots of tlc , they grow fast and either become pets or dinner or breeding stock . enjoy little critter and may it enjoy you .

Stacey

Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 8380
Location: Kernow

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 06 6:52 am Post subject:
Awww orphan lambs I love em. Any chance of a pic or two when it arrives?

Anna-marie

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 980
Location: West Wales

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 06 4:30 am Post subject:

Jamsam,
You will enjoy every minute, even those where you think that you are doing everything wrong

I rescued one of my first twin lambs when she was born. She was frozen to the ground and her mum was more interested in her brother

I literally had to peel her from the ground

Took her home, warmed her up, gave her some colostrum, fed her throughout the night, then took her back to her mum the next day

She needed help with suckling at first, and I just topped her up with the bottle, then by the fourth day, she didn't need any extra at all

I called her Maisie (short for amazing

) and she is thriving well.
She always comes to greet me, and tries to climb up the back of my legs, wanting to be picked up

She rubs her face against mine, when I'm holding her

Anyone want a pet lamb?

Anna-marie

jamsam

Joined: 21 Oct 2005
Posts: 2560
Location: erm....i dont know, its dark.

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 06 9:07 am Post subject:
i certainly am mad..see other threads!! im trying to get the sod to stay still for a picture today..he has learnt jumping up and down on the spot at some time in the night!!!

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46212
Location: yes

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 06 7:30 pm Post subject:
healthy then well done . keep at it . i nurtured a pink ratus ratus . he was demanding as a wee one . 2 hour cycle . and a few other critters now and again . it gets easier

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