Here is our little twin that the mother rejected. She weighed in at 4 pounds 2 ounces. She is the smallest one we have ever had born. Michael made sure she nursed well last night by holding the momma sheep and letting the baby get her fill. He thought that by locking them together in the barn that they would perhaps become bonded. Of course that would have been tooo easy!!! Instead this morning, we found a lamb that was almost frozen to death. We quickly brought her into the house. Michael spent some time massaging her and bringing her back to life. We wrapped a heating pad around her and I went off to Tractor Supply to buy some milk replacer and a bottle.
These pictures were taken this morning around 10:00. We still weren't for sure that she would come out of it, but she was able to drink a bit. Michael did have to leave and go to his real job that pays all the bills. I was left to watch after the little one.
Here is what we had just a few hours later. She has drank some milk and now she is walking around a bit. She went from not being able to hold up her head to standing up on her own. This afternoon as I write, she is going all over the living room. I am so thankful that we no longer have carpet in our home!! I never dreamed I would have to clean up lamb messes out of my living room floor. Boy, have I come along way!!!!Here are the lessons learned from this experience: First, we waited to long for the mom to take to the baby. We could have skipped this whole process had we just gone and gotten the milk replacer last night. We should have brought her into Michael's shop and let her spend the night.
Second, there are certain supplies that we should keep on hand at all times. During lambing season, a small bag of milk replacer and a bottle should be here in our home. It took me over an hour to drive to town and back this morning. That hour could have cost her her life.
We still aren't for sure if she will make it. I pray that she does. We all have some time and love invested into her now. I'll keep you posted!!!
grace and peace,
julie
8 comments:
Diapers work well on baby lambs and goats in the house. :)
She is a cutie! I hope she makes it and thrives - big time!!
I remember when we had the runt pigglets in our living room growing up, and we always brooded our chicks in the bathroom. It prepared me for marriage and the day my husband brought a calf in my kitchen!
What a cutie pie! And yes, solid floorings are the way to go! My husband tiled our friend's RV, just for that very reason! He always has 2-3 of his dogs traveling around with him!
Oh I pray she makes it too. She is sooo sweet. Makes me want another little lamb to bottle feed. At least now you'll be well-stocked in case you need to bottle feed another one!
was this with her actual momma, or the one who lost her baby? or did you end up not trying the other one?
you and pam are doing great!! you'll are the best teachers ever and just for me. see the Good Lord knows i need you'll, heehee
Marci,
What a great idea!!! Why didn't I think of that myself? Thanks for sharing the tip!!
Ashley,
I think she is going to be just fine!! By the way, I know that sinking feeling you had when you "lost" Tessa. We too "lost" Seth when he was just under two. We looked everywhere including the pond. He turned up in our kitchen cabinet!!! Tessa's pictures where perfect!!
Mother of Many,
We too have had chicks in the bathroom...many times. Now, we have never had a calf in the kitchen, but there is still plenty of time!!! I can only imagine your expression when you saw your new addition!
Andrea Cherie,
Tile is a great thing. I don't know who is harder on carpet...the kids or the animals!
Nancy,
How is Babb's doing? I haven't seen many pictures lately. Did he ever live in the house with you? If so, how did you get him acclamated to the outdoors again?
BlueRaindrop,
We put her with her actual mother. She would let her nurse some, but not much. Then she got to the point that she really didn't want much to do with her. We were going to try and give her to the mom that lost her baby on Saturday night. That mom didn't have any more milk, and she wasn't at all interested in a baby that wasn't hers.
Kay,
You are just having fun watching Pam and I on such a steep learning curve!!! I am sure you would do great with a lamb in your living room too!!
grace and peace,
julie
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