One of my two-year-old first time mothers gave birth this morning to a single ewe lamb. I was so relieved to see nose and toes appearing normally after the other day when one lamb was head out with one leg folded and one leg all the way back. However, being a first-timer she was very tight and the skin just didn't want to stretch on its own. I had to keep her pinned down with my knee on her shoulder as she wanted to get up everytime I tried to help, and work the skin up and around the head while pulling on a leg. Once the head was out she realized the obstruction was removed, gave another strong push and out came the lamb! Then she got up and walked away. I think she was a bit confused or just wanted to get away from me. :-) Eventually she worked her way back around and found the lamb and started cleaning it.
The lamb was up on it's feet within 10 minutes and trying to suckle on anything it could find (my knees, mom's fleece, etc.). Mom is so in love with her baby though that every time the lamb heads towards the udder, she turns around to see where it went. Eventually, I tied mom to a post and got the lamb on a teat. I may have to do this a few more times until mom gets the idea.
I thought for sure this ewe was going to twin, as she was big as a house. However, this lamb weighs only 7lbs, and she was the only one. The ewe magically deflated. :-)
Pictures to follow!
Another successful lamb delivery (with a little help)
Here are the photos:
Second pic:
One more!
I went out again a few minutes ago and got the lamb on a teat again, while pinning mom against the fence. Then I let them go and they walked around, and lamb got on the teat by herself, and mom actually let her! Whew! I think she finally realized that lamb isn't really going anywhere and she doesn't have to turn around and follow her! Plus, the nursing helps stimulate her to pass the afterbirth, which she is finally doing.
Congratulations! She a cutie!
It sounds like mom is starting to figure all this nursing business out. A friend of mine has goats for the first time and one was pregnant when she got them. Well, this first-time mom gave birth to twin does and wants absolutely nothing to do w/ them. My friend is putting her in the stanchion 4xs a day to let the kids nurse off of her. When she sees them she wants nothing to do w/ them. Not everyone bonds like they should. As soon as they were born she was butting them.
I would probably give that mom a pass this time as these are her first, but if she did it again the next time she kidded, she'd go to freezer camp. But maybe goat breeders feel differently? If they are raising kids on a bucket feeder so they can milk the does, maybe it doesn't matter too much?
I'm glad this ewe took after her mother and is a good mom too. She's a great ewe with good conformation and great fleece. I had to laugh a bit though at her anxiety everytime the lamb started trying to find the udder. She really didn't want to let her out of her sight. Once they figure things out though, you do breathe a sigh of relief.
Nope, they need to pull their weight! At least they do around here. Alot of the goat breeders that I know, do bottle-feed their kids. However, I keep them w/ mom and share the udder w/ the kids. I'll bottle-feed only when necessary.
Me, too. I'm always happy when I see the lamb or kid nursing on their own and relieving themselves. Then the sigh of relief!
Having quite a bit of experience with orphan foals, I have no patience for the ones who won't take the baby. I know it's just nature. It's also different with horses, cause 99% of the time the foal won't reach it's potential...
I'm so glad to see such a good mom, especially first time out! Congrats Galles.. your new baby is a doll. :)
Congrats on the sweet little baby. It looks so small next to mom!! LOL