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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 190
Multiple births:
Twins, triplets and larger "litters" such as those of Finnsheep require more attention. You need to make sure that ewes "claim" all their lambs and that they all get their share of colostrum. To help in the production of milk so that all the lambs get their fair share, gradually increase the amount of grain. Sheep usually like molasses, but if she does not like it then continue to give it too her in lukewarm water throughout the time she remains with her lambs in the lambing pen (jug).
If you have multiple lambs that cry a lot it does not need a rocket scientist to tell you that they most probably are not getting enough milk. It could be that not all of them are crying, some of them may be satisfied, whilst others are hungry. Help the hungry ones by holding them to their mother. If she has an insufficient supply of milk, give the hungry lambs a supplemental bottle. When a ewe does not have sufficient milk to satisfy multiple lambs, let the lambs continue to nurse but supplement one or all of them with a couple of bottle feedings each day. Bottle feeding should be, 2 ounces (59.1 ml) feedings, for the first couple of days after which the amount should be increased to 4 or 6 ounces (118.3-177.4 ml) by the third and fourth day. The following is a recipe for these early days:
26 ounces (769 ml) milk – prepared by mixing half evaporated, condensed milk with half water.
1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) castor oil – or cod liver oil
1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) glucose or sugar
1 beaten egg yolk.
Do not give them a lamb replacement milk during this time, and when you do give them replacement milk make sure it is specifically formulate for lambs and the prime ingredient is milk rather that soya.
Marking lambs:
When a lamb needs extra attention you will need to know which one it is and identification can be difficult. To distinguish a lamb needing extra care from the others, get a brightly colored, small nylon dog collar, or a collar made of yarn and put it around its neck. Or, for identification purposes you can use ear tags specifically designed for lambs and also ewes (cattle ear tags are too heavy).
When it comes to deciding which lambs or ewes you want to keep you need identifying records to assist in knowing who the mother is.
Some identifying ear tags are made from metal, others are made from colored plastic. Some can be marked with an indelible marker. Others have numbers printed on them. You can also arrange for them to have your name inscribed on them – this is advantageous if your sheep are out on common land.
Twins, triplets and larger "litters" such as those of Finnsheep require more attention. You need to make sure that ewes "claim" all their lambs and that they all get their share of colostrum. To help in the production of milk so that all the lambs get their fair share, gradually increase the amount of grain. Sheep usually like molasses, but if she does not like it then continue to give it too her in lukewarm water throughout the time she remains with her lambs in the lambing pen (jug).
If you have multiple lambs that cry a lot it does not need a rocket scientist to tell you that they most probably are not getting enough milk. It could be that not all of them are crying, some of them may be satisfied, whilst others are hungry. Help the hungry ones by holding them to their mother. If she has an insufficient supply of milk, give the hungry lambs a supplemental bottle. When a ewe does not have sufficient milk to satisfy multiple lambs, let the lambs continue to nurse but supplement one or all of them with a couple of bottle feedings each day. Bottle feeding should be, 2 ounces (59.1 ml) feedings, for the first couple of days after which the amount should be increased to 4 or 6 ounces (118.3-177.4 ml) by the third and fourth day. The following is a recipe for these early days:
26 ounces (769 ml) milk – prepared by mixing half evaporated, condensed milk with half water.
1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) castor oil – or cod liver oil
1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) glucose or sugar
1 beaten egg yolk.
Do not give them a lamb replacement milk during this time, and when you do give them replacement milk make sure it is specifically formulate for lambs and the prime ingredient is milk rather that soya.
Marking lambs:
When a lamb needs extra attention you will need to know which one it is and identification can be difficult. To distinguish a lamb needing extra care from the others, get a brightly colored, small nylon dog collar, or a collar made of yarn and put it around its neck. Or, for identification purposes you can use ear tags specifically designed for lambs and also ewes (cattle ear tags are too heavy).
When it comes to deciding which lambs or ewes you want to keep you need identifying records to assist in knowing who the mother is.
Some identifying ear tags are made from metal, others are made from colored plastic. Some can be marked with an indelible marker. Others have numbers printed on them. You can also arrange for them to have your name inscribed on them – this is advantageous if your sheep are out on common land.