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Post by oliverman on Jun 15, 2015 22:48:33 GMT -5
Had a set of undersized twins born to an older ewe last week. They were both around 3 pounds at birth (normal birth weight is 7-10). She rejected this one, so he is being bottle fed and will likely be sold as a pet. The kids are having a grand time with him, and my dear wife has found and old package of diapers, so he can follow them around the house without making a mess.  |
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Post by desertwoman on Jun 15, 2015 22:53:00 GMT -5
awww
Couple of questions (not knowing anything about lambs)
why would she reject one and not the other? or why not keep both?
why will he likely be sold as a pet?
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Post by oliverman on Jun 15, 2015 22:53:37 GMT -5
We had another lamb who was part of a set of triplets 3 weeks ago. He wasn't vigorous enough to compete with his two brothers, so he has been on the bottle too. The rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb" is the truth about a bottle lamb. He follows us everywhere, when he is allowed out of his pen. Here he is watching me plant carrots where I pulled out the radishes.  |
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Jun 16, 2015 0:13:57 GMT -5
Those are adorable photos - both the children and the little black lamb looking up to you like a little puppy would.
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Post by binnylou on Jun 16, 2015 0:21:32 GMT -5
Sweet pics...looks like you and wife are a good match. Not all ladies would allow livestock in the house. And diapers too!
Years down the road, the kids will chuckle about the time when....
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Post by ahntjudy on Jun 16, 2015 8:26:39 GMT -5
Aww...so sweet!
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Post by oliverman on Jun 16, 2015 9:11:57 GMT -5
It is not unusual to have a ewe reject the weakest lamb. Perhaps due to not wanting to waste effort when the chance of survival is low. These ewes don't stay around too long though. He also fell in the water dish the day he was born and got chilled. That, combined with removing him for a short while to blow dry could have changed his scent enough to confuse her.
A lady who operates a petting zoo is coming to see them today. Several others have inquired about them as pets too.
Lambs definitely imprint on their first caregiver.
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Post by brownrexx on Jun 16, 2015 9:19:27 GMT -5
DW - nature can be harsh but that's why animals don't usually overpopulate like humans do. Survival of the fittest is a real thing. That mother probably realized that she could not raise that lamb to maturity without impacting her care for the other one. I have seen this happen to weak chicks and mother hens too. It's heartbreaking really.
So lucky for little lamby that OM's family took him in and he will have the life of a pet instead of becoming lamb chops.
I respect what you do OM, but I said it before, I could never eat lamb if I saw how cute it was. Actually I don't eat lamb but I'm sure it is not impacting your business. I LOVE that pic of you and the black one!
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Post by desertwoman on Jun 16, 2015 9:46:17 GMT -5
Thanks OM and BR.
I've never raised farm animals- only cats.
That is such a great photo of you and the black lamb. Love it.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jun 16, 2015 11:17:05 GMT -5
Great pics....adorable kids and animals...how can ya not love 'em? But That happens with dogs I know so I wouldn't be surprised if other animals do as well. They seem to have an instinct to know when something just isn't right with the offspring. Hard for us to watch as humans...always wanting to help survival, the underdog.
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Post by ncgarden on Jun 16, 2015 12:12:08 GMT -5
I am like brownrexx - I have a hard time eating things once I have gotten to know them. I am sure if it came to starving or eating them, I would make the right choice for my survival. But until then....I eat a lot of eggs and fish!!
I want a lamb in the house....
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Post by gulfcoastguy on Jun 16, 2015 17:15:45 GMT -5
We had a lamb who's mother died. I would catch ewes and hold them still for him to nurse on. We called him Pete the Milk Pirate. Sadly he didn't make it.
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Post by brownrexx on Jun 16, 2015 19:26:41 GMT -5
So sad that he didn't make it but you gave him a chance at least.
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Post by oliverman on Jun 16, 2015 20:36:48 GMT -5
Yeah, the trouble with livestock is that inevitability, there is deadstock. A shepherd who has less than 10% of lambs die prior to weaning is doing well. Still we tend to blame ourselves.
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Post by gulfcoastguy on Jun 16, 2015 23:03:16 GMT -5
Yeah a novel that I read said that it is a miracle that lambs live long enough to reproduce. We had another half grown lamb who got herself pinned between the walk behind plow and the barn and broke her back. I miss watching their antics(and leg of lamb) but I don't miss shearing and worming. Our climate is to hot for them anyway. Maybe goats if I ever get any acreage.
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