[Jacob-list] Lamb nursing?

[fayg at mebtel.net]

all,

I used to give two shots of NutriDrench at birth, and milk a teat. Now I don't 
even do that, just watch and do a checksum every morning and evening, watch for 
active movement and slowdowns or speedups.

If they are running around, especially after 2-3 days, they are most likely 
feeding. If they are getting more coordinated, they would just about have to be 
feeding to keep up. If a new born isn't getting stronger and faster every 4-7 
hours then I would start to be concerned and would try the above.

Gary



Quoting ACAMDA at aol.com:

> Good Morning, everyone!
> 
> Our last ewe lambed on Tuesday.  It was her first lamb, and appears to be a 
> ewe also. (The only time we've caught her it was too dark to tell anything 
> except by feel!)  The Mom, Hannah, is our shyest ewe, and won't let any of us
> get 
> close.  
> 
> My concern is that I haven't seen the lamb nurse.  All my other mothers 
> delivered twins and were nursing within minutes it seemed.  My husband and I
> both 
> work, so we can only watch then early in the morning and in the evening. 
> Greg 
> says that the lamb must be nursing, since it's up and walking and following 
> Mom.  I'm wondering if it is still relying on the energy it had from the
> womb, 
> and it slowly starving.
> 
> What do you think?  Is it possible to "supplement" just in case?  If we don't
> 
> see the little one nurse what else should we watch for?  I've considered 
> locking them up together in a "jug" kind of arrangement, but Hannah (the Mom)
> is 
> so skittish I'm afraid I'll scare her to death.
> 
> Thanks for your advice!  So nice to know you're around!
> 
> Kathey
> Sweet Georgia Valley
>