Down Mulberry Lane

Little lambies...

The two little lambs are now housed in our dining room.  Tarp on the floor, baby's supergate keeping them in.  Not ideal, but they have to be somewhere.  *grin*

After several investigations, we found the mom was dry on one side and the other was coming out just blood.  Pretty yucky and momma was really tender... poor thing.  The babies are a bit ummm tentative... not as perky as most lambs and I wonder if they were nursing on the blood and now they don't feel real well.  One is nursing well from a bottle and will nurse from a donor mom if we hold her down.  The donor mom doesn't have a whole lot of milk, though, as I discovered after trying to milk her.  Sooo, we most likely have two bottle lambs. 

Now, I hope the little brown one will start sucking better.  She has only taken an ounce at a time and then quits.  The white one drinks quite well, drinking 4 ounces at a time.   The brown one seems more stable, however... she is less shaky.  The white one shakes as if it is feverish.  Neither want to stand for very long at a time... They just have no energy.  I hope they come around. 

Just wanted to update you all... we decided not to drag them out to the barn.  I may milk the one donor mom a bit here and there to get what milk I can from her, even if it isn't much... those nutrients are just so precious. 

On a side note... I was just telling dh that it would be fun to have a milk goat, BUT he laughed as he said it would never get milked... and everyone said, Mom can milk it.  LOL.  Well, I have had my hands frostbitten and I just hate being outside in the winter it just hurts so bad... I used to do sheep chores when dh wasn't home and the girls were smaller and I would literally cry on some of those cold days trying to get it all done... so milking a goat... don't think it will work... But tonight I discovered that momma's udder was so warm that my hands didn't ache at all and it is 7 degrees out... she kept my hands warm enough to avoid the frostbite ache.  Now, I'm pondering... Hmmmm, what could I do with goat milk?  LOL.  I'd for sure need a plan and need to learn more before I jump in... but it is looking up.  I was wanting to get going making soaps again and I know many who use goat milk for soap... Ahhh, the possibilities.  I guess I have my next research project ahead of me.  For us the biggest deterrent would be finding someone to milk the goat when we take vacation.  *sigh*  Much to think about! 

Warmly, ~Melissa

Untitled Comment

8:33 PM, January 29, 2007 .. Posted by Melly

Wow, I\'ve never had any sheep, but quite a few people on this site do! I think I\'d like the lambs, but I don\'t know about the sheep, and they wouldn\'t stay lambs for long!

bottle babies

8:50 PM, January 29, 2007 .. Posted by heritagehill

I love bottle babies! They are so cute and cuddly. They are a little demanding though. I have had lambs and goats, and calves too for that matter. One spring I had 10 at one time, that is the most. It can be so frustrating trying to get them started and worrying about their health. We are due to start kidding the end of the week, so that is exciting! Hope the babies do well.

Untitled Comment

8:54 PM, January 29, 2007 .. Posted by southernbelle

Awww, how sweet that you all are taking such good care of those little lambs. I think they are so precious. I sure hope they do well.