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rejected lamb-beginner shepherd
Author: cheryl 
Date:   03-20-07 09:56

I have a yearling ewe that had a pair of twins for me and she would really like to not let one of them nurse--he is a little scrapper and at 6 days old he is right in there sneaking a drink every opportunity he can and if i restrain the ewe he takes full advantage--my questions are:
1) Will he get enough to eat if she is restrained( tied high so no one gets caught ) for 6-8 hours per day?
2)How early can I expect him to be weaned and get enough from hay and pelleted creep feed?
3)If I breakdown and start bottle feeding him ( this is my 3 rd lambing season and haven't had an orphan or rejected lamb until now) what is the typical time frame for how long I need to bottle feed him?
4) The ewe is fairly rough with him but in the little pen(6' X6') he really can't get a way-sh
ould I expect she would actually cause injury?(So far seems fine)

Any advice would be appreciated-I have not been satified with what I can find in books( ie details)

Thanks
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Re: rejected lamb-beginner shepherd
Author: gordon 
Date:   03-20-07 15:38

He will not get enough just sneaking in for a drink.
If you must be there to hold or tie her you might as well feed him with a bottle.
Make sure he is eating creep feed and you can wean him at 30-40 days.
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Re: rejected lamb-beginner shepherd
Author: Todd Miles 
Date:   03-23-07 12:50

Shame on Gordon for not telling you about the Premier grafting head gate. (lol) He may not want to brag, but as a user, I can tell you it is a wonderful product. Buy one before you need it!!! It is galvanized and will last you a lifetime. The ewes will actually compete to put their head into it if you grain them while nursing.
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Re: rejected lamb-beginner shepherd
Author: cheryl 
Date:   03-26-07 11:44

Thanks for rresponding--I had explored the idea of making a head gate or buying one-and I probably will for next year. I hung in there with the tying her for 6-8 hours at a time when I was home and around and actually the ewe is now letting him nurse-if the other lamb is--very interesting on the behavioral side. They are both gaining at a similar rate and fairly equal in weight since birth. I just am reluctant to turn them loose from the jug for fear of him getting banged up by the other ewes.

Thanks,
Cheryl
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