Getting a ewe to milk

[crazy_bull]

First time lamber, 2 cracking energetic lambs. She's fit, been on adlib sugarbeet in the field with ample grass.

Medium sized udder, but bugger all milk, can squeeze a drop out every now and then, lambs sucking away feverishly and not getting filled. I've given them colostrum and a couple of feeds of replacer to keep them strong.

I've dosed the ewe with 2 x shots of oxytocin, any other suggestions?

I have introduced her to some concentrates and will build that into her over next few days, whilst topping up lambs every so often.

Is it Likely a lost cause or worth persevering?, she is the most attentive mother so bloody shame if she won't start milking.

C B

 

[yellowbelly]

Got one the same here (shearling, first time lamber).
Gave it Oxytocin. Left lambs on and Mrs YB kept topping 'em up with bottles in the hope her milk would come. Didn't happen. One lamb is weaned now, the other's a runt

Feckin' sheep.
Hope you have better luck.

 

[Nithsdale]

When did she lamb?

If you can draw something, and the lambs keep trying - it will (should) drop. Give it a couple days.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Mark her for cull

 

[crazy_bull]

When did she lamb?

If you can draw something, and the lambs keep trying - it will (should) drop. Give it a couple days.

Lambed 24 hours ago ish

will persevere for a day or so. The lambs are easy to feed (great suckers) so takes no time

 

[clod hopper]

Lambed 24 hours ago ish

will persevere for a day or so. The lambs are easy to feed (great suckers) so takes no time

She needs time, I would not panic. Like you said she's doing everything else right she needs to relax a bit

 

[neilo]

Mark her for cull

Doesn’t that depend on the reason? If the milk doesn’t come after a day or two, she’ll want to go in the next few weeks, but if it drops, I’d just record it and let her run. I can’t remember the last time I had one that never came to anything, but it’s not necessarily repeatable imo.

 

[crazy_bull]

Doesn’t that depend on the reason? If the milk doesn’t come after a day or two, she’ll want to go in the next few weeks, but if it drops, I’d just record it and let her run. I can’t remember the last time I had one that never came to anything, but it’s not necessarily repeatable imo.

I agree she's a smart ewe, with great mothering skills (looking after them and protecting them, just not currently feeding them ) and lambed them easily so if she comes milky she will stay with a mark against her number for future reference.

The lambs had a 1/4 bottle each last night and don't look overly hungry this morning, certainly not badgering her as much as before so I am hoping she's turned a bit of a corner.

C B

 

[Nithsdale]

Lambed 24 hours ago ish

will persevere for a day or so. The lambs are easy to feed (great suckers) so takes no time

She will be grand
Most come fine by day 3-4.

 

[crazy_bull]

Gonna say she is beginning to keep up!

Happy days!
C B

 

[Jockers84]

Soya if she’s over fat, will help break down the fat for making milk.

 

[kill]

Sounds like a good thing to pour mint sauce over.