Lottie is one of my favorite sheep. She was the smallest of triplets and I picked her up from the field when her mum lost interest in her and brought her inside to join Peewee and later Megan as my pet lambs... two years ago now.
This year she has had her first lambs, and is a lovely mum. I found her on the morning of the 25th May, at the top of the field, she had already given birth to one lamb and her second was having problems. His front feet were on either side of his face rather than forward of his head. She looked at me asking for help so I pulled out this little hooves one by one and gently pulled him clear, he took an enormous breath and she loved him from that moment on.... he has a huge splot of brown on his bum and is known as Otto!!
Lottie's first lamb has developed some problems.... he has always "stood on a penny" a stance that usually indicates that a lamb is hungry, but in this case I don't believe he is quite put together properly.... He has always been small and does not seem to be growing. This week I have watched very closely, and he simply doesn't frame unlike his brother who is now streaks ahead. He is always on the wrong side of the field or with another ewe, and I collect him and put him back with his anxious mother on an almost daily basis, and she is so relieved to see him. So a few days ago I started to assist in feeding him, and Lottie's reaction has been profound.... while I'm trying to bottle him, I sit down on the grass and hold him so he's comfortable, she comes along and puts the side of her face onto my cheek, rubbing it gently, I can't tell you how touching it is... she knows I'm trying to help, I think she's aware he's not thriving. She also tried to drink from the bottle after he'd given up yesterday!
If I'm being realistic, I'm not holding out too much hope for his long term survival as he won't suck properly, and I have caught him eating grass, too early at his age... he's not in pain at all and I'll keep trying, and so will Lottie!
This year she has had her first lambs, and is a lovely mum. I found her on the morning of the 25th May, at the top of the field, she had already given birth to one lamb and her second was having problems. His front feet were on either side of his face rather than forward of his head. She looked at me asking for help so I pulled out this little hooves one by one and gently pulled him clear, he took an enormous breath and she loved him from that moment on.... he has a huge splot of brown on his bum and is known as Otto!!
Lottie's first lamb has developed some problems.... he has always "stood on a penny" a stance that usually indicates that a lamb is hungry, but in this case I don't believe he is quite put together properly.... He has always been small and does not seem to be growing. This week I have watched very closely, and he simply doesn't frame unlike his brother who is now streaks ahead. He is always on the wrong side of the field or with another ewe, and I collect him and put him back with his anxious mother on an almost daily basis, and she is so relieved to see him. So a few days ago I started to assist in feeding him, and Lottie's reaction has been profound.... while I'm trying to bottle him, I sit down on the grass and hold him so he's comfortable, she comes along and puts the side of her face onto my cheek, rubbing it gently, I can't tell you how touching it is... she knows I'm trying to help, I think she's aware he's not thriving. She also tried to drink from the bottle after he'd given up yesterday!
If I'm being realistic, I'm not holding out too much hope for his long term survival as he won't suck properly, and I have caught him eating grass, too early at his age... he's not in pain at all and I'll keep trying, and so will Lottie!
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