Sheep 101

Our little bottle fed lamb has grown and adjusted quite well. She spends her days out in the yard and barn with the rest of the flock. When she gets hungry, she comes to the back door and cries. She spends her nights in the shop. It is very cold here and she doesn't have a momma that will curl up with her to keep her warm. Yesterday we brought her in to eat. I knew something was unusual when I had to go outside and call her. She had gone about 5 hours without eating. She did come to Jacob, but she would not eat. He came upstairs and announced that she was very fat especially on her left side. I knew she was bloated, but still was unsure as to why or what to do about it. I called Tnfarmgirl and she told me to keep her up walking. While the kids made her walk, I contacted the lady that we bought our herd from and she gave me a quick lesson in bottle fed lambs. She says this happens often. Somehow she must have gotten extra air into her stomach while taking the bottle. She suggested we hold the bottle down lower so that she has to get on her knees to eat. She then told me to go get Mylocon drops...you know those drops that you give gassy babies. She promised within 2 hours Angel would be fine. I did what she said, and she was right. Within two hours ,Angel's belly was back to normal. Who knew??? I certainly didn't. I don't think she would have made it without this little intervention. She told us from now on to be on the safe side that we were to give her a couple of drops before each bottle.

Sometimes I don't think I am cut out to have a farm . I get way to attached to these animals and it causes me to make poor decisions at times. With each new thing comes a new learning experience so maybe by the time I am 100 years old I will finally know what I am doing!!!

grace and peace,
julie