The Poultry Keeper

tracey061196 · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 205 Location: Somerset

Morning

I purchased 4 ewes last year when they were a year old (suffolk x i believe). I rent some fields and couple stables out and a freind has your 2 horses and 4 sheep (1 old girl, 2 neutered rams, 1 un neutered ram) my freind believed her rams had been done but later we found out one of them still had all his bits.

5 weeks ago 2 of my ewes had twins and they are so quite (3 boys 1 girl) and all 4 are doing really well.

1 week later my 3rd ewe gave birth to a deformed lamb that had a badly deformed mouth had i called the vet out who put her to sleep, inbetween my ewe giving birth and the vet turning up she gave birth to a still born and it had 6 legs. I cryed as it was so upseting. The vet checked the ewe over to make sure she didnt have any more due.

For a week after my ewe was crying out for her lambs all the time and wouldnt leave the place where she gave birth. The vet said leave her out with the rest of the sheep. On the 7th morning i looked out the window and she was down on the grass, i rushed over to her and she must of had a fit or something has she was foaming from the mouth and the most horrible thing was that the birds had pecked her eyes, she was still alive, a farmer freind came within 20 mins and shot her, again i cryed and couldnt get those images out of my mind.

My do things go wrong and why can other animals be so cruel, i no you will say thats nature.

I have been told that if you have Livestock you must except you will get Deadstock.

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2245 Location: South Cumbria

Life is so hard sometimes sorry about the ewe and her lambs (((Hugs))) try to focus on the others unexpected though they were, you have another girl and some meat for the freezer if that is what you want Smile

tracey061196 · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 205 Location: Somerset

Hi Gilly

Just read through my message and thought oh my god what bad spelling.

Anyway, i love my animals and i spend alot of time feeding them, cleaning them out etc.

Alot of of freinds have said am i putting the lambs in the freezer, and my comment is i cant bring myself to doing that, i know alot of you will say dont be so soft.

My 4th ewe we think is hopefully due tomorrow ish, im keeping my eye on her.

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1026 Location: Carmarthenshire

I'm so sorry that you have has such a horrible experiece. It is true though re deadstock although I have been very lucky up to now. Enjoy the 4 lambs you have and try to hold on to that lovely experience of having them.

tracey061196 · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 205 Location: Somerset

I was going to try and send a photo of one of the lambs, but thicko here doesnt know how Shocked

HOW DO I ?

CP · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:42 am Post subject:

So sorry about your lambs & ewe. Crying or Very sad

For photos, first of all you need to host them somewhere.
Either apply for gallery space on the forum - link at the top of the page - or you'll have to use one of many free hosting webites on the internet. Photobucket is a popular one. Wink

tracey061196 · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 205 Location: Somerset

thanks CP

I will give it ago, so watch this space Laughing

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1026 Location: Carmarthenshire

I use photobucket and it's really easy - it has to be with a computer thicko like me!!!!

Looking forward to seeing your photos - I do love seeing the different breeds.

tracey061196 · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 205 Location: Somerset

Here goes i hope

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6807 Location: isle of lewis

i'm sorry about your ewe we had one caste like that on the feild at the back ,crows and magpies are horrible like that
enjoy your sheep and lambs
the lamb is lovely Very Happy

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2245 Location: South Cumbria

ah what a sweetie Very Happy

debcat · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject:

really sorry about your sheep, it is a horrible thing to experience
we had a similar thing this year before lambing
well done on your other lambs

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1026 Location: Carmarthenshire

Really cute, good luck with the last lambing.

tracey061196 · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 205 Location: Somerset

Hi Guys

Well my last ewe is due (i believe) today. I hired a ram in and the farmer put a dye on his front, 21 weeks ago i came home and she had the dye on her back. I have been told it is 21 weeks, is that correct?

My 4 lambs are growing so fast, they dont stay so close to their mums as much now, and to watch them run and skip across the field is a picture Laughing

.

CP · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:00 am Post subject:

Cute lamb pic Tracey. Very Happy

Good luck with your last 'hatching'! Wink