Our sheep, Penka, gave birth to twins last September. However, when she got back out with the shepherd again she was a naughty girl and got pregnant, due the end of April.
Unfortunately she was butted in the stomach by our goat and went into labour on Monday evening. She gave birth to a dead male, but was still straining to no avail. Our friend came to help and a female was born. He thought she was also dead but I saw her move and gave her some resuscitation. The very tiny lamb was alive! Mum didn't seem interested and it was cold, so we brought her into the house and put her in front of the fire in a box. The dogs were going crazy, so we sat downstairs with them in the cold while the lamb was upstairs nice and cosy!
We fed her with some goats milk from a bottle and she took about half an ounce.
Well, she is now back out in the barn in a straw filled box. Mum still not interested, so bottle feeding every two hours! I tried to milk mum but not as easy as milking a goat! We have called her "
Twiggy"
as as she is long legged and thin!
Just been out for the latest feed and she is now able to stand on her own and is taking a few steps.
So glad we gave her a chance and just hope she's over the worst.
Photo to follow soon!

Good luck with her mate..they can be tough little critters. Back home in OZ, our flock averaged 35,000 and lambing season was a trial, I can tell you!

good luck to the little one Well done you for saving her your work will be cut out for a while but she is worth it keep up the good work and good luck Twiggy

Aaaaaah well done you (Ewe) - sorry!!!

Well done to you. She will be a special little girl, a true fighter. Welcome Twiggy to the big wide world.

The correct milk from a nursing ewe should be available in your village..just ask the shepherd.

Here's Twiggy and our friend Ivancho.

Apart from getting her the correct milk, try and keep her off her feet for a couple more days..those little knee joints can't take it yet. I see the swelling already and that will lead to problems when she's older. A little exercise now is ok, but she shouldn't be overdoing it.

awwwww beautiful

bgbazz wrote:

Apart from getting her the correct milk, try and keep her off her feet for a couple more days..those little knee joints can't take it yet. I see the swelling already and that will lead to problems when she's older. A little exercise now is ok, but she shouldn't be overdoing it.

Don't worry, she was only on her feet for the photo. She's got a lovely little straw nest in the barn, and she stays in it. I also wrap her in a fleecy blanket at night to keep her warm!
I managed to get some milk from her mum, but it takes ages to get any. The teats are so small compared to the goats. Any suggestions?

Keep stimulating Mum..even to the point of taking the lamb to her and force feeding..it may just work, but I have my doubts. Mother will reject the lamb because it smells different. Something I've done in the past is rub an old towel all over Mum until it stinks and then apply it to the lamb..might work. Do that before the force feeding trick..otherwise it's back to the bottle feeding with some other Mums milk.

it's a few days on now How is the lamb? Just hoping it is doing well

Twiggy is doing well, seems to be thriving on our goat's milk. Just glad our goat Matilda only had one kid!
Thanks for asking.

That is really good news keep up the good work

Good news indeed! Keep doing whatever you've been doing..it's working! Please don't fatten her for St Georges Day (6th May)..keep her and breed her, then everyone can be happy, including her! Lol.