| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Nigella |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 09:56:54 AM
Awwwww he is toooo cute!! I'll have to see if I can figure out how to post a pic! We got him from a really cute old farmer last night. Pip (the lamb) is a whole four days old. I'm going to make him a little fleece coat today. He just can't seem to stay warm enough and he loves to cuddle. I've successfully raised bummers (I never liked the name 'bummer' so I call them 'bobbins'  ) but they were quite a bit bigger (they were Hampshire) and there were two so they kept warm together. Has anyone had St. Cruix or another breed that was soooo teeny? Any suggestions? Any tips about the breed? This little guy is bound for the pasture pet life although I know this breed is raised for meat mostly  . I also know they are a hair breed and I won't need to mow  . I miss my little Hamps so much they are also raised for meat usually and I was shocked at how personable and smart that breed is! I thought at the time that I couldn't keep them (getting married soon and moving) so I found them a really nice home where they are well loved and used for fleece and two little girls love and lead them all around . Sooo this little guy really warms the little empty lamb hole in my heart. Yes it's ture I love my sheep!!  Thank you ladies for your help!!
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If the ways is long
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on 'round the bend
Though you're tired and weary
Still journey on to your happy abode
Where all that you love
And are dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| 23 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Aug 28 2008 : 08:50:59 AM
Jami-- Yes, my dog is FABULOUS!!! I knew I needed some sort of guardian, and, after talking to my Vets office about the possibilities (and the HORROR stories they told me about guard llamas being attacked as well!) I decided I wanted something with an advantage, something like --- TEETH!!!! So, after carefully researching each LGD breed, weighing the pros and cons, talking to breeders and getting info from the registries, I decided on a Maremma. I could sing his praises into next week, but there's just not enough space here.
As for the Babydolls, well, there's quite the FANTASY attached to their name. Unless I ended up with some REALLY naughty sheep and everyone else got the NICE ones!!! I have so many stories of the trouble they've gotten into, the havoc they've wreaked and more!!! I can ALWAYS tell who's going to keep them for the long haul, and who's NOT. I think the BIGGEST shock that people suffer when they FINALLY get some is that they are, plain and simple--- SHEEP ---and ALL that that entails. Personality-wise, I like my Jacobs MUCH better, but of course, there's that CUTE-NESS factor in the Babydolls (but trust me though, not ALL of them GROW UP to be CUTE!!! I have one VERY UGLY ewe!! And she's MEAN to boot!)
But, truth be told, I did NOT get my sheep JUST because they were CUTE. I got them in '99 to help preserve a line that was on the verge of extinction. I wanted to do something to help. I believe that I have helped play some small part in that, judging from the numbers now, and the fact that they have been removed from the ALBC's "Critical" list. But, like I said, eventually that CUTE-NESS thing wears off and people will once again start to lose interest. Especially when the market is flooded and the $$$$ No longer rolls in, but that's certainly not why I do it. I sell only one or two lambs a year (no matter HOW MANY I might have in a season) to VERY SELECT homes and only to people I'm certain have the sheep's best interests at heart. (the money from the farm comes from selling HAY, not SHEEP!!) Trust me, I'm in this because I truly DO love the sheep, certainly NOT for the money, and I'm certainly in this for the long haul! If your mother really wants Babydolls, tell her to start with a pair of wethers. They make GREAT pets, and it's less of an expense if she decides she DOESN'T like them after all!!! (which DOES happen!) ~~Hugs~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| Nigella |
Posted - Aug 28 2008 : 08:21:42 AM
Welcome Kristin! I hope someone is able to help you on your St. Croix quest! So far I'm really lovin' the breed. We were about to look at some Suffolks crossed with something... can't remember now... too bad you don't live closer the cute old farmer I got my bummer from wants to shrink down his flock a bit...
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If the ways is long
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on 'round the bend
Though you're tired and weary
Still journey on to your happy abode
Where all that you love
And are dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 28 2008 : 08:11:25 AM
Hey,Nigella, sounds like you have your hands full. Lots of fun though. I am looking for a few more St. Croix ewes to buy. I have 1 that is about 4 and a Suffolk-Romonov cross ewe that had triplets at 10 months last year. That was a complete accident. The evil ram got out and i wasn't about to jump in and save her. All three lambs did great. I never had to help at all. Good mother. So Now I would like to have a few more to breed. I am in North Ga. near the Tenn. border. If anyone knows where I could find some close by at a reasonable price, I'd love to know. Thanks , Kris |
| Jami |
Posted - Aug 28 2008 : 07:23:59 AM
Pip is a cutie--like the camo!
Tracy, I had the same scenario in my first marriage with sheep and husband...but things really changed this time around. He's out there with me lambing, choring, worming, etc. It's great. We don't bring lambs in often but we have severe weather here (maybe quite a bit different than California?) so sometimes it's a necessity but that's one thing DH is great about is keeping it real...he wants them back out with their mothers ASAP...so they don't reject anyone. This year I didn't have to bring a lamb in but in previous years we have.
One thing I haven't done is put our guard dog in with the newborns...I just don't quite trust him until they are fast enough to get away from him if he gets frisky. Sounds like you've got a great dog...ours is useful but mediocre as far as being bonded to the sheep. He does hate coyotes and that's what I've got him for. We keep talking about getting a pup and bonding it with the lambs but so far haven't done it. One more mouth to feed...you know the story.
We eat 2 lambs a year between my husband and I. I have even helped butcher them--but I don't particularly like it. Much prefer them live and out grazing like you girls but being a carnivore, have to have my freezer full too! If I could find homes for them all for the cute factor...what a life that would be! Sounds like you've got almost utopia, Tracy. Cool.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 4:27:33 PM
You're not crazy Nigella!! I have learned over the years that if we are going to take Gods creatures into our care, not to mention our hearts, we must do WHATEVER we have to to care for them properly! No matter HOW SILLY THEY LOOK in the process!
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| Nigella |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 4:15:26 PM
That's exactly why I want sheep lawnmowers!! I hate conventional lawnmowers with a passion (I want to be able to hear the wind and the birds and NOT the mower!!), and watching sheep is such a peaceful pastime! Tracy I'm glad to hear I'm not the only crazy one out there sticking shirts and such on poor helpless little critters!! :D
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If the ways is long
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on 'round the bend
Though you're tired and weary
Still journey on to your happy abode
Where all that you love
And are dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 4:07:39 PM
he...he...he... I just saw the pictures you posted AFTER my last post. How CUTE! I do have to say though, Mr. Pip looks positivly ANNOYED!!!! Somewhere in this computer I have a picture of one of my tiny little goats in an itty-bitty purple and turqoise (sp?) dog sweater. She looked so CUTE too! Those work really well for kids and lambs too, and are easy to come by (around $5.00-$7.00 at Wal-Mart) -- especially for someone not so skilled in the "needle arts" like MYSELF!!!
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 3:56:27 PM
Ms. Jami sounds like she's done this quite often, so there's no need for me to repeat any of it. The only reason I'VE never had lambs running loose in the house (at least that anybody KNOWS about!!! HE! HE! HE!) is because my husband does not have a sympathetic bone in his body when it comes to my sheep and won't allow me to bring them into the house. That, and the fact that I have a 130+lb Livestock guardian dog that makes a GREAT mama! (even though he's a BOY!!!) He snuggles with them and keeps them warm. He also keeps them CLEAN and protected. All I have to do is go out every few hours and feed them. Makes life a whole lot easier. He's such a blessing!!!!
As for my Husband, when HE looks at the sheep, all he sees are Lamb Chops, Leg-O-lamb, lamb stew, lamb burgers....... Well, you get the picture. The only thing KEEPING him from fulfilling those dreams is the fact that the little boogers are worth MORE money as pets and glorified lawnmowers!!!! Otherwise, I'd have a heck of a time keeping him from putting all my boys in the freezer!!! and my beloved old pet "Peaches" who is the last of my original breeding stock. She's 12 now and starting to slow down a bit. I've had her since she was 2 and I just LOVE her! She's been retired from breeding for the past 4yrs, but my husband can't understand WHY I keep her around. Well, I think YOU LADIES can!!! Happy lamb cuddlin'!!
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| Nigella |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 3:46:02 PM
Hurray I've figured out the picture thing!! Now remember Pip- we're laughing with you not at you....
Pip's T-shirt cute but not really warm....
My version of a sheep blanket in blue camo....
Pip's good side and no flash thank you very much!
Lol that was too much fun I hope these turn out alright!
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If the ways is long
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on 'round the bend
Though you're tired and weary
Still journey on to your happy abode
Where all that you love
And are dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| Jami |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 2:00:36 PM
Oh Nigella, don't feel alone...I have had lambs running all over the house before helter skelter...once I brought in triplets to warm up during a blizzard right after birth (just couldn't get them warm outside no matter what I tried that night) and one started perking up so I fed it and went to tend to the others and the first one was off exploring (and piddling everywhere on the way) while the others were still in the warming box with my hair dryer on...then the next perked up and was jumping out of the box and so forth! That's when you wish you had 2-3 sets of hands. Now I lock them in the dog crate while I'm working on another. It only happens if one gets chilled or it's extreme weather but they get humanized really quick and are soon pecking at your legs like a chicken wanting that bottle again!
It sounds like your Pip is going to make it just fine now that he's getting things figured out and you've got him in a good spot at night. Doesn't surprise me he doesn't just take that bottle, have had lambs do that before but once you hold it in their mouths if they're hungry and the nipple is open enough they start going for it. A cold lamb is never good at sucking so that may have been the problem earlier.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
| Nigella |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 11:02:54 AM
When we picked the little guy up I did ask the previous owner about the colostrum and he thought that Pip had gotten enough though I didn't get to talk to him long enough about it to find out how he had managed that.... He gave me a bottle of Drench Vitamins I think it's called and I add a couple of squirts of that to a batch of milk replacer. We had him sleep inside last night we have an upright freezer in one room that blows out nice warm air when it's running. We had him in one of our greenhouses the night before with a heat lamp and that didn't really seem to work. Today though after sleeping inside he is a totally different lamb! I still have to pry his little mouth open to get the nipple in but after that he does well. He's a lot warmer and alert today he was even skipping around a bit! I'm keeping a very close watch on his temperature though it has certainly been feeling like fall the last couple of days on our side of the mountains as well! Thank you again ladies for all the help! I giggled after I read Tracy's advice about not letting him inside unless I want a 100 pound + lamb breaking down the door later!! :D Unfortunately that bit of advice came a day late for me lol!
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If the ways is long
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on 'round the bend
Though you're tired and weary
Still journey on to your happy abode
Where all that you love
And are dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| Jami |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 10:36:52 AM
Nigella, I would wait to castrate this guy until he's really thriving well even though the older they are the more pain they feel and it's safest done at a younger age for most breeds if you're banding. I have banded much older when a ram lamb wasn't turning out as I had hoped but it's harder on them and I don't like to put them through that.
I have a suspicion this little Pip didn't get colostrum and that's not a good thing. A 6 day old lamb should be warm enough by now and eating really well and have it figured out. You're using Pritchard teats it sounds like and they are excellent for newborns, all I use in fact for them. They have the little steel ball in them for air to escape so the nipple doesn't collapse, right? They learn so much from their mothers though about living and he's a bit confused at the moment I'm sure!
Glad he's got a coat...it's been cool on this side of the mountains, not sure about over in your area.
Keep us posted!
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
| Nigella |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 08:56:44 AM
As for the castrating thing.... I'm a little worried about doing it right now until I can get him to really eat..... Do you think that's ok? We didn't castrat our Hamp bummer until he was a couple of months old and he didn't even seem to notice! He was such a good boy :D
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If the ways is long
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on 'round the bend
Though you're tired and weary
Still journey on to your happy abode
Where all that you love
And are dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| Nigella |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 08:31:08 AM
Hi Tracy thank you so much for the advice. My mom is very interested in Babydolls soooo cute! Do you use a special nipple for your little guys? We have just the normal ones (those red and yellow ones) they worked well for our other bummers but really seems to big for this little guy... We do use the Land O' Lakes Lamb milk replacer and warm it up for him. I made him a cute little fleecey jacket last night and that seems to be helping to keep him warm. I will post pics just as soon as I have time to sit down and figure it out.....
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If the ways is long
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on 'round the bend
Though you're tired and weary
Still journey on to your happy abode
Where all that you love
And are dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 08:25:50 AM
Ok, it's me chiming in again-- Suzanne-- YES, a "Bummer" is a lamb that has been rejected by it's mother. It goes around "bumming" milk from other ewes. They are a sad little lot, but SOOO cute! They usually end up being VERY friendly (and sometimes DANGEROUS!!!) because they associate humans with food and affection.
And Nigella-- as for Castrating? It depends on the breed when it's the RIGHT TIME to castrate. Some breeds have slower to mature bucks and it takes a little longer for the testicles to drop. My Babydolls don't get castrated until they are at least 2 weeks old. The Jacobs that I have take longer and so I wait until at least a month to castrate those boys. The key is-- if you feel TWO testicles, (no matter HOW OLD) it's ok to castrate whenever you want, BUT, if there is only ONE, you DON'T want to castrate (if you are using elasterator bands) until both are down. Otherwise you will end up with a RAM that is infertile and useless, but with ALL the issues that an intact ram would have. Again, I wish you luck with your new little friend!!
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 08:16:41 AM
Hi Nigella! I have to agree with Jami's advice. I have been rasing Babydolls for nearly 10yrs now. They are a very small breed of sheep (lambs are about 5-8lbs at birth), dual purpose, but mostly appealing to the pet market and people who are going Organic in Agriculture-- especailly Vineyards! They are used for weed control, organic fertilizer and that undeniable "Cute-ness factor."
Like Jami said, keep the lamb warm, keep him fed-- 2-4oz about every 3-4hours the first week or so, then you can start spacing the feedings until he's bottle feeding about 4x a day. Make sure you are feeding him LAMB milk replacer ONLY (Land-O-Lakes makes a good one). Lambs need more fat then the "general purpose" livestock milk replacers offer, and KID replacer (for goat kids) has too much Copper- which is TOXIC to sheep (though they do need SOME). It's best to keep him outside with a set up like Jami suggested -- even better if there are OTHER sheep for him to hang with, otherwise you will end up with a 100lb+ critter running into your house every chance it gets!!!
Yes, bottle feeding CAN be frustrating at first, but, when that little guy gets hungry enough he'll get the hang of it VERY quickly! He will also begin to start picking at grass and hay around 2wks of age or so, so some good leafy hay offered free choice will help cut down on bottle time. Also, watch closely for Scours! If he starts getting runny diarrhea, just cut back on the milk replacer a bit and add more water. You can also substitute a bottle of Electrolyte formula for some of the feedings. There are lots of good sites on the internet that can give you tips on keeping scours under control, and any other health issues that might crop up. Have fun with your little guy-- I hope he does well! And PLEASE keep us posted! Hugs to you and PIP!!! Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| Suzan |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 06:06:19 AM
Ok, what's a "bummer"? I'm assuming the mother rejected? |
| katie-ell |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 05:11:35 AM
Pip! Perfect name! I have no lambie advice. But happy for you -- I hope he can thrive and grow to be a big little one!
www.youaretoocreative.blogspot.com |
| Nigella |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 8:23:42 PM
Oh thank you!
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If the ways is long
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on 'round the bend
Though you're tired and weary
Still journey on to your happy abode
Where all that you love
And are dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| Jami |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 7:18:44 PM
Let him get good and hungry unless he has a poor sucking reflex which could mean he's not thriving well. Feel inside of his mouth when he's not eating and make sure it feels warm to your touch but not hot of course. Cold mouth means he's chilled. They won't suck well if chilled. Otherwise, sounds like he's okay.
Have fun.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
| Nigella |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 4:29:53 PM
Thanks Jami I really appreciate the advice. It doesn't look like he's been castrated I'll get the torture device out of the barn ;). I am having a really hard time getting him to take the bottle. It's almost like I have to force him to eat but he's still active and alert all the time any ideas on gettting him to be more interested in eating?
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If the ways is long
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on 'round the bend
Though you're tired and weary
Still journey on to your happy abode
Where all that you love
And are dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| Jami |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 1:18:41 PM
Lambs can easily get chilled if they haven't gotten colostrum and if not fed frequently a warm milk replacer just like they would nurse frequently from their mothers.
A St. Croix sheep is a sheep so care will be the same except you of course don't need to shear it. The coat is a good idea or a sunny place in the pen with straw. Frequent meals is the key to a lamb keeping warm...feed only warm milk replacer for a while to help with that. I'm sure you know how to titrate the amount up as it grows. I also with bummers go to cold milk in a teat bucket for my own ease once I train them to a bucket and they are established well. A carefully placed heat lamp in the barn will help it keep warm at night until it gets better body heat regulation on its own.
Is it castrated already? Maybe you have the means to castrate this lamb yourself. It's certainly not hard to do but should be done ASAP. I always castrate with the banding method under 3 days old. It's hard on them for a while and they want the comfort of their mothers and a meal right after being banded normally.
Have fun with your new buddy. He's going to be very very attached to you since he has no other sheep around. Hope you can keep him for the long-term because of this.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
| electricdunce |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 12:15:02 PM
I'm afraid I can offer no help, as my lamb knowledge consists mostly of looking at them and going: "oh, how sweet", but I'm sure someone on this forum will have some tips for you. Can't wait to see a picture of the little fellow....
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
