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Indulge yourself! One day old Lamb Triplets.

Mama and her three lambs are doing well now.

Though we had a fright in the afternoon yesterday when Mama started limping badly.

Then would not get up to feed. You will remember that she has a chronic problem with inflammation in one of her hooves. 

Being down meant that she was not feeding her two lambs.  Who quickly went from hungry to sleepy. I watched her try to get up and they zoomed in for a drink, then with a great sigh she collapsed again, lambs bouncing out from under her. I gave them all a wee sip of milk replacer.

Then made a fast trip to the vet for an antibiotic injection and after a few hours she revived. I topped them up for her in the interim.  This worried me as I did not want them depending on me for food and leaving her milk undrunk.

But with coaxing she was up again and eating and drinking and the lambs fed well in the night. Minty is doing well on her bottle. She is still in with her family and I just pop in and feed her every few hours. So all through the night I get up, get dressed (in a manner of speaking) and yawn my way out to the barn with my tiny bottle of warm milk, then back to bed.

A new born lamb can consume two to three cups of milk replacer a day. This needs to be spread over twenty-four hours. I prefer to err on less at this point as over feeding can cause scours. Scours can kill a tiny animal very fast.

So I feed tiny bits often. Feeding every few hours all day and right through the night makes me feel envious of these guys. 

Good morning. I think that the lambs and their Mum had a very good night. Each time I went out to feed Minty, Mama hauled herself up and fed Meadow and The Murphy as well. During our last feed, in the wee hours of the dark morning, Meadow drunk enthusiastically without having to be carried to the milk bar and coaxed onto the teat.  This is a great relief.

It is 5.45 am and Minty is not due for a feed until 7am. So after doing the early morning chores, I will have time for a hot coffee before waking them all up.  I am hoping that Mama will be well enough to take her babies outside later today.  Her sunroom pen opens onto one of the little home paddocks and she needs to get back on the good clean grass.

I hope you all are going to have a lovely day. We will.

Good morning.

celi

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74 responses to “Indulge yourself! One day old Lamb Triplets.”

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  1. Thanks for explaining about why Mama doesn’t feed Minty, I was wondering why she doesn’t; I suppose that’s the law of nature – feed the fit ones. Nature can be very cruel, but that’s the way it is. I’m just glad that you are there to supplement Minty’s feeding, and I guess she will become very attached to you because of it.
    The photos are great, I especially like the one of TonTon peering at the lambies!
    You have your work cut out, but I know you are up for it C, because you find it so deeply satisfying. I would too.
    Drink plenty of coffee and grab naps when you can to keep your strength up!
    I’m looking forward to the unfolding progress of your little triplets!

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  5. You must be a weary (surrogate) mother! But so worthwhile, and the lambs are adorable, with unusual colouring (compared with NZ sheep) Thank goodness the nights are warmer for you now. Good luck with the nurturing and may Mama soon be completely well. With less weight to carry, her hoof must surely feel some relief.

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  9. I don’t think there is any baby animal as cute as little lambs and you have three times the cuteness. I bet you wish you would be able to get three times the sleep.

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