Ewes not wanting lambs

[paul&mandy]

Odd 1, last 3 days ewes been a nightmare for not wanting lambs. Be that inside or outside. Singles, twins, different breeds etc.
Could it be the weather or something?

 

[ladycrofter]

We just kicked one out without the lambs. Didn't want them, except when she couldn't see them. She would only let them suck if you held her. Who knows. We did give her the works, calmag, TLD, etc.
I'm thinking low level mastitis actually, her bag wasn't hard but didn't just feel quite right. Any udder issue makes them act like they don't want the lambs, sucking hurts.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

They normally don’t want them when they’re not fit enough to look after them….not always but it doesn’t help

 

[Estate fencing.]

Odd 1, last 3 days ewes been a nightmare for not wanting lambs. Be that inside or outside. Singles, twins, different breeds etc.
Could it be the weather or something?

My grandfather always said that means we are in for a dry hard summer for ewes. Seemed true in 2018 and 2022.

 

[paul&mandy]

There all very fit. Just like a switch been flipped.

 

[spin cycle]

sheep are just there to torture us

 

[paul&mandy]

sheep are just there to torture us

Yes. Speaking to other non sheep people and they have absolutely no idea what *****s they are.

 

[ritchiekirkland]

Always think if a ewe wanders away and leaves a lamb it’s because she knows she can’t handle it . You can chase them around and pair them back up but often ends badly .

 

[ritchiekirkland]

On a different note , had a few ewes the day with really thick colostrum , lambs hungry and when try and tube them with it , it will hardly run down the tube . Any ideas ??

 

[Skintagain]

Rough weather can make them throw one off.

 

[JockCroft]

On a different note , had a few ewes the day with really thick colostrum , lambs hungry and when try and tube them with it , it will hardly run down the tube . Any ideas ??

Either you have rapidly increased protein in last few days, or ewes arn't drinking enough.
I know I go on bit about it but available salt licks helps regulate ewes whole body mucus.
Have you had any sticky/dry lambings/ retained clensings, then that could be low vitE.

 

[ritchiekirkland]

Either you have rapidly increased protein in last few days, or ewes arn't drinking enough.
I know I go on bit about it but available salt licks helps regulate ewes whole body mucus.
Have you had any sticky/dry lambings/ retained clensings, then that could be low vitE.

Maybe the grass starting to grow ! Plenty water anyway .
Yes I have been getting a few retainer clensings , was trying to remember what deficiency that was , was thinking Selenium

 

[Devil's advocate]

On a different note , had a few ewes the day with really thick colostrum , lambs hungry and when try and tube them with it , it will hardly run down the tube . Any ideas ??

Mix with powdered colustrum until it can be poured down the tube.

 

[primmiemoo]

There all very fit. Just like a switch been flipped.

Could be vits or mins in this wet weather. Do you put out licks?

 

[spark_28]

Heard a few complaining of the same problem. Obviously just one of those years but who can f**king blame the sheep given the weather we've had

 

[Moors Lad]

On a different note , had a few ewes the day with really thick colostrum , lambs hungry and when try and tube them with it , it will hardly run down the tube . Any ideas ??

Always think it must be good stuff to be so thick (?) , but VERY time consuming!

Got a large syringe with a tube on from A P Supplies at Nafferton (well more than one) for colostrum like that. Take plunger out , put tube down lamb, put goo in syringe and insert plunger! A lot easier with 2 folk OR big hands!!

 

[primmiemoo]

On a different note , had a few ewes the day with really thick colostrum , lambs hungry and when try and tube them with it , it will hardly run down the tube . Any ideas ??

There's no difference in the feed value between thick and thin colostrum, so we dilute the very thick with enough clean warm water to help it run. As a precaution, allow a little top up within the 4 hour colostrum window. I add a drop of olive oil to the second ~ the last thing a lamb wants is retained meconium.

 

[ladycrofter]

Always think if a ewe wanders away and leaves a lamb it’s because she knows she can’t handle it . You can chase them around and pair them back up but often ends badly .

We considered the "stocks" (adopter) but they rarely work. And half the time they do, when they seem settled and you put them out she f***s off anyway. So not a fan. It seems if the ewe won't change her mind, we're not going to change it for her . Just too many other things to be doing.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Heard a few complaining of the same problem. Obviously just one of those years but who can f**king blame the sheep given the weather we've had

yes sheep (or any animal except for ducks and frogs types for that matter ) can actually get depressed in constant wet weather particularly they generally naturally prefer it dry,
Although its not the same as a human depression which gets to/comes from /involves the mind majorly ,its a physical thing that pulls them down, which of course could include a mins/ vits deficiency .....

and i guess even the like s of herdwicks would somtimes prefer a single rather than 2 hang on to their teats

 

[ritchiekirkland]

Always think it must be good stuff to be so thick (?) , but VERY time consuming!

Got a large syringe with a tube on from A P Supplies at Nafferton (well more than one) for colostrum like that. Take plunger out , put tube down lamb, put goo in syringe and insert plunger! A lot easier with 2 folk OR big hands!!

I have that exact syringe but three the plunger away the other week as it’s sat in pickup for two years and I’ve never used it !