Help with new lamb please

[farmgirlie1031]

We always gave the overeating shot and I can't remember what others as it was 10 years ago that I had sheep. I still miss them to this day. I loved raising them so much and my ram was just a big sweet puppy dog. I had a few ewes that followed me around everywhere. I know one day my ewes kept me alive when I passed out in the barn on a -20 degree day and awoke to find my ewes all around me keeping me warm.

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
She'll need her first round of vaccines at 8-12 weeks. Then a booster 30 or 60 days later depending on which one you go with.

My day old lambs/kids get a shot of BO/SE; but that's only relevant if you are in a selenium deficient area.

You need to "strip" the mom to make sure milk is coming out both sides.

You ought to clip the umbilical about 1" shorter than it is then dip the navel.

And, finally, you need to dock the tail.

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
The 'overeating' vaccines are in your basic CD/T vacination or any other cloistridial vaccine you get.

But, you do more harm then good vaccinating too soon. They have all the protection they need from the clostridium at this point. By introducing a vaccine now, you are introducing antigens into the body which will "use up" all the available antibodies they're getting from the milk leaving them unprotected.

 

[MandyH]

Thanks again greyfields. I did trim and dip the umbilical cord asap. She is eating and wagging her tail, when she isn't asleep. I will check on the selenium shot thing. I didn't want to give her too much stuff and overload her, so right now, I am just making sure that Mama is taken care of so she can do her job. God knows, she knows more than I do about a lamb!!!

 

[WrenAli]

Since she is a hair sheep you don't need to dock the tail. Ever. That is what I love about hair sheep.

As for vaccinations, I don't vaccinate because I have a closed herd and don't have a lot of people who come to my place.

I agree with the no vacciantions until they are older though if you are going to vaccinate. I wait until 3-6 months with mine depending on conditions if I feel the need to vaccinate.

Congrats on it being a ewe.. Saves you from having to castrate!

One thing with the hair sheep on breeding is they are very hardy and if you keep them in good condition you shouldn't have a problem letting them lamb. I have only lost 1 adult ewe after lambing in my 4 years with my Katahdins and she got pnuemonia. But I sucessfully raised her baby on a bottle. My babies take very little care. I only interviene to strip teats and check sex unless I see a problem.

 

[MandyH]

That's my approach too WrenAli. They ARE VERY hardy. WE have katahdins, dorpers, a couple of shetlands, and a couple of mixed sheep that are UGLY, but precious. When can I let mom and baby out of the stall to join the others? Also, when is it too late to castrate a lamb? What is the purpose of having a castrated lamb if you are not going to eat it? I mean, should you sell them off if you don't want them to sire soemthing or what?

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
I usually keep mine in jugs for 3 days then let them out once I'm sure the lamb won't get rained on.

Quote:
It's too late when you can't get the bander around the testicles. You have the first 2 months in all practical sense. But by 2 months, ram lambs will be able to breed their mothers, sisters, aunts and uncles. That's the point of castrating, you don't want them breeding your ewes and having your lambing go out of cycle (let alone the inherent dangers of breeding ewe lambs too young).



Make sure you get a mineral block to them as well, as she's going to be going through tons of calcium right now... plus all the stress of going to auction.

 

[WrenAli]

If the baby is moving around with mom on steady legs and the weather is not horrible, snow, hail, etc. you can let them out any time. Though if this ewe is a wild one it may help to keep her in the stall for a few days, 3 or so, and do some hand feeding of grain to tame her down. Not for the lamb's sake though.

I have used this tactic before it can help.

My ewes lamb out in the pasture and I bring them into the barn only if there are problems. Low milk, lamb not keeping up, bonding issues...

You can castrate at any time. Just depends on what method you are using. With banding when they are to big for the bander then you need to find another way. But I know people who have castrated 3 and 4 year old rams.

There are several reasons to keep a wether. They can act as teasers and bring your girls in to heat earlier. Not a real issues with hair sheep and they have to be castrated a special way for this to work.

For 4H, FFA, youth projects. Or just for a pet lawn mower. I sell a lot of castrated lambs as pets. More than ewes. Don't know why.. I just do.

Just remember the longer you wait the harder on the animal it is.

 

[MissPrissy]

I am going to be abosultely no help to you other than this -

We are VERY fortunate to have a vet close to us that only tends livestock - especially goats and sheep as so many people have a small herd around here.

Do you have someone (a vet) close by that can give you good advice?

The vet is coming to my pasture tomorrow afternoon for low price of $33 for the visit. She will see all 3 lambs and all 8 of my goats. If they need anything it will be pay as we go. Shots and other meds rarely run more than $1 - 2 each. It is worth every penny to me to do this once a year and get a good once over and a clean bill of health for these animals that I am trying very hard to learn to take care of properly.

Good luck to you with your lamb and ewes.

 

[MandyH]

Thanks MissPrissy. The only time we had to use a vet they were totally useless when it came to sheep. I have been trying to find a vet to come out once or twice a year to do a total herd check-up deal, but no luck so far. Everybody around here is used to treating doctors and lawyers high dollar cats and dogs. And there are no old timers or anything around that know anything about sheep either. In fact, everybody always comments on how cute our goats are, and we don't own a goat. LOL!! That's why I rely on y'all for help!