Iv been lambing nearly 3 weeks now. Iv a range off issues cropping up. I know a lot Is down to feeding issue but wanted to voice my worries as struggling abit. Iv had 2 sheep die with what looks like listeriosis. Have maybe 10 or 12 ewes with twins having to have 1 taken off as lack off milk. Both those food issue I probably know. I also have now have another 2 sheep that’s going off their feet. Both carrying triplets and due this coming week roughly. My first ewe to lamb was a triplet that couldn’t stand for while unless lifted. Soon as she lambed she got worse and lost power in legs and had to be put down. Just worried these other two will go same way. Have some lovely lambs but a lot issues with them at same time. This all sounds like a moan and standard lambing for most. But there’s only been 55 sheep lambed for my small flock. Am I correct thinking it’s mostly feeding issues ?
Few lambing issues
- Thread starter will6910
- Start date
Aspiring Peasants
Member
- Location
- North Pennines
What have they been fed
What's their age profile
Have you checked TE status at any time
What breed
What condition score would they be
What treatment have you given the ones that have gone off their legs
What's their age profile
Have you checked TE status at any time
What breed
What condition score would they be
What treatment have you given the ones that have gone off their legs
Chris123
Member
- Location
- Shropshire
Sounds like twin lamb how fit are the ewes
Been inside on bale silage since middle December for the triplets and end December for twins and singles. Mix age 3 year olds up to 6 year olds. Condition be just below a 3 id imagine by their backs. The are Suffolk and texel crosses all of them near enough. Ones that goes bad on legs gets lifted up to keep them moving regularly. Twin lamb drench and they all get molasses over their silage twice aday to
Not over fit but not to skinny to. Been on silage meal and molasses for 5 years now and rarely had to get any twin lamb drench
I changed my meal blend this past week and it only come there on Thursday evening. So been mixing it in with old blend to switch over. Milk was really poor on some and lambs shown signs off lacking vitamin e in joints from past experience
Aspiring Peasants
Member
- Location
- North Pennines
Are they getting any cake and access to minerals
Aspiring Peasants
Member
- Location
- North Pennines
Sorry questions answered already 
. If you think they are short of milk after lambing feed them well and get them on grass ASAP
. If you think they are short of milk after lambing feed them well and get them on grass ASAPTwins been getting 1kg a head and triplets just over it. They big ewes so always found they need plenty off feed
Changed from a 18% blend to a 20% now. Used same 18% last two years and thet done great with same feeding levels. Not new to the job now. Have had Sheep since 2005
Got some outside at moment to try boost milk but I think it’s lost cause for a few as lambs not doing at allSorry questions answered already
Aspiring Peasants
Member
- Location
- North Pennines
You can overdo protein, I can't remember the science but higher levels can actually pull them down because it puts the ration out of balance. They shouldn't need more than 18%
- Location
- Northumberland
Probably need more energy rather than protein. Excess protein can burn fat off them.
primmiemoo
Member
- Location
- Devon
Do you have an ingredients list for us to see, @will6910 ? Yours could be off on nutrition accessibility if cheaper ingredients have been swapped in.
It's annoying when a smaller quantity of known good product can't be tootled along to the smaller customer by the company rep who could be passing within a mile or so to a larger customer. Could you enquire from the 21% company whether they'd consider that for you?
It's annoying when a smaller quantity of known good product can't be tootled along to the smaller customer by the company rep who could be passing within a mile or so to a larger customer. Could you enquire from the 21% company whether they'd consider that for you?