Lambing, 1 twin lost

[Dustyherefords]

Bit of an annoying one, I was looking to pick someone's brains, we lamb 30 ish Dorset texels now and then another 400 mixed in April having cut back a bit. Three lambing out of 20 so far have resulted in the first having no life to it, not breathing what ever we try, weak and floppy with a faint heart rate and the second is up and sucking quickly on it's own. Selenium defiency crossed my hind but isn't that more issues like weak hind legs etc?

 

[JSmith]

I reckon that’s what’s known as lambing!! I wouldn’t be worrying just yet?

 

[Dustyherefords]

Hmm, just seems a bit odd, they are big strong lambs... Or they would be!

 

[Al R]

1. Have they been bolused?
2. Have they got a mineral bucket?
3. Inside or outside?
4. What diet have they been on?
5. Something else to put here but can’t remember what.
6. What @JSmith said.

 

[Dustyherefords]

Bought in for lambing, rumenco licks available, 18% nuts once a day, free access hay and clean water, all in good condition, maybe they're just being sheep moreso than normal.

 

[JSmith]

Wouldn’t worry just yet, these things are sent to test us at this time of year, annoying when they’ve carried them for so long to lose them at point of lambing or couple days before I know, we reckon you get all the shite first week of lambing? If it carries on an your concerned you can always get the vet in to take some bloods. Hope it sorts it’s self out for you

 

[Mc115reed]

My first 6 lambs all came out dead so wouldn’t worry too much

 

[Dustyherefords]

Thanks all, maybe the mud and rain is getting to my brain!

 

[JSmith]

Thanks all, maybe the mud and rain is getting to my brain!

If you want brain ache you wanna try 7 triplets in 24hrs an no singles? good job the mrs likes feeding lambs

 

[Dustyherefords]

Ouch! Put them on social media for £20 each, it works well! Or train the to a shepherdess, it can be hot or cold (plugged in or not)

 

[An ancient git]

Don't worry , sh1t usually happens at the start !! Trust me ..... 50 years of doing the job ..... And don't look back at probs ; just progress onwards !

 

[Longlowdog]

Soft, dozy lambs when they appear here get Vitesel as soon as they are identified. Since moving to Lifeline Lamb and ewe they are thankfully rare now.
My Oxfords used to be devils for being soft when born but texels and all their cousins seem rather sparkier at birth.
If the dozy lambs will actually stay the right side of The Styx fill them with colostrum, jag with a tiny amount of vitesel and when they begin to move and are bonded get them into a communal pen so they are forced to thrive. Leaving them in a pen with mum for days keeps them dozy.

 

[neilo]

Bit of an annoying one, I was looking to pick someone's brains, we lamb 30 ish Dorset texels now and then another 400 mixed in April having cut back a bit. Three lambing out of 20 so far have resulted in the first having no life to it, not breathing what ever we try, weak and floppy with a faint heart rate and the second is up and sucking quickly on it's own. Selenium defiency crossed my hind but isn't that more issues like weak hind legs etc?

Weak hind legs would indicate copper deficiency/swayback more. Se deficiency gives a general muscular weakness, with the heart being one of those muscles affected.

In your situation, I would be considering Se and Iodine deficiency, but only as cogs starting to turn in the back of my mind. More than likely it’s just the cr*p that always seems to come at the beginning of lambing, and it will be forgotten once they get going properly.
If it carries on, I would suspect one or both of the above, and investigate along those lines. Both can be stopped almost overnight by treating the ewes still to lamb ime, IF they should need it. If it’s not needed, too much Se can cause toxicity problems, and too much iodine close to lambing can interfere with antibody absorption from colostrum.

More likely just ‘suicide fortnight’ though.

 

[Estate fencing.]

If you want brain ache you wanna try 7 triplets in 24hrs an no singles? good job the mrs likes feeding lambs

Last year I had 27 triplets and 4 quads and a set of twins lamb in a day, it’s was a nightmare on my own!

 

[farmerm]

It sounds like sheep being bloody sheep... The first few days of lambing are seem to be always traumatic!

Had to harness a prolapsed ewe this morning and she isn't due to lamb for at least another 6 weeks.

 

[andybk]

get a few bloods done for minerals , selenium and colbalt usually the main culprits , i was getting similar here till using bolus. worth it for long term productivity

 

[Mc115reed]

It sounds like sheep being bloody sheep... The first few days of lambing are seem to be always traumatic!

Had to harness a prolapsed ewe this morning and she isn't due to lamb for at least another 6 weeks.

It’s when she comes too lamb and youv forgot about the harness because it’s that bedded in the wool youv got too worry lol