Triplets and colostrum

[GTB]

Father has insisted that all triplets (and anything weak) are given extra colostrum at birth since we started lambing indoors in 1982. I can see the point of doing everything that looks a bit weak but do we really need to be doing every triplet? Seems a bit futile when the ewe seems to have plenty of milk? He says there's no point saying in a few days time, "oh pity we didn't tube them" because it's too late by then...

TIA

 

[Henarar]

I wouldn't put a bloody tube near a healthy lamb with a full belly from a healthy ewe with plenty of milk
more harm than good comes to mind

 

[sherg]

If they're a decent size and off a ewe that's got plenty of milk I wouldn't bother unless she was old, a bit of spectam doesn't hurt with triplets though

 

[Al R]

If we can't adopt 1 off in the first 12 hours then all 3 get 100ml of cows colostrum just to give them a boost and to save them draining the ewe. 90% don't need it and are just as fit as twins but better safe than sorry!

 

[neilo]

I will only tube anything that looks suspect, or where there might not be enough colostrum on the ewe. A lot of 'the old ways' were very much built around making work IMO. Should it not be the norm that a lamb should get up and suckle, with only the odd one being an exception?

Out of interest, what breeds were you running in 1982? We would still have been using a breed that would be notoriously slow at finding a teat itself, and was often just plain stupid if you showed it where it was. Surely your Easycares would be a different kettle of fish?

 

[Henarar]

there seems to be a fascination with tubes its the same with calves, some farmers seem to love them
I know they can save a life or help get an animal started when there isn't much option
but I don't like the bloody things

 

[Pan mixer]

We have never bothered with it for every triplet, they are assessed on a case by case basis, clearly if you are posting at that time of the morning you need more sleep - cut out tubing the good trips I suggest and go to bed.

 

[Henarar]

@GTB Next time you get a good set of trips and the ewe has plenty of milk don't bother to do them and don't tell anyone and see how they go

 

[GTB]

I will only tube anything that looks suspect, or where there might not be enough colostrum on the ewe. A lot of 'the old ways' were very much built around making work IMO. Should it not be the norm that a lamb should get up and suckle, with only the odd one being an exception?

Out of interest, what breeds were you running in 1982? We would still have been using a breed that would be notoriously slow at finding a teat itself, and was often just plain stupid if you showed it where it was. Surely your Easycares would be a different kettle of fish?

My thoughts exactly. Back in the day we had pure Dolgellau type Welsh Mountain and I suppose their triplets did need doing routinely, there would not have been too many anyway.
@Henarar that's exactly what I have been doing and all OK so far. But it's easier just to go along with the old man these days. I was just wondering what everyone else did that's all.

 

[MRT]

I would tend to agree with your father, if lambing in why not milk out free colostrum and tube triplets otherwise one is likely to loose out and you end up buying Spectam and shoving a dirty tube down every lamb instead!

 

[Al R]

I would tend to agree with your father, if lambing in why not milk out free colostrum and tube triplets otherwise one is likely to loose out and you end up buying Spectam and shoving a dirty tube down every lamb instead!

Ever thought of washing them? Ours get washed between each lamb to stop water mouth

 

[GTB]

Ever thought of washing them? Ours get washed between each lamb to stop water mouth

Doesn't everyone wash the tube between uses?

Edit: We would do a set of triplets without washing but definitely wash before doing another ewe's lambs.

 

[MRT]

Ever thought of washing them? Ours get washed between each lamb to stop water mouth

I have yes! Walking around a few sheds I'm not sure it occurs to many

 

[GTB]

I have yes! Walking around a few sheds I'm not sure it occurs to many

Fair point

 

[Al R]

I have yes! Walking around a few sheds I'm not sure it occurs to many

I've seen the types, I am as particular with the lambs bottles/tubes etc as I was when my children were on bottles (didn't tube them though - wish I had, would've been quicker)

 

[Bury the Trash]

Ever thought of washing them? Ours get washed between each lamb to stop water mouth

always wash /flush in detergent.and hot water. then a spray with detox household antibacterial type stuff and let them dry .then quick rinse before use.

used bleach before but after awhile that breaks down the rubber......