First I must update you on the twins. Neil’s little one did not survive unfortunately. From this we now have a new protocol for very small lambs. They will be given lamb boost straight away and watched to make sure that they suckle from their mothers. They are born with a small amount of brown fat to keep them warm long enough for that first drink of colostrum. It seems that Neil’s little lamb did not get this.
On a more positive note, the other twins in the barn are getting stronger. I’m amazed that Lazarus is still with us. Let’s hope he will keep improving.
Josh had to manage both farms today because I took my father to an audiology appointment. On our way back I called back in the pound shop for baby bottles to use for lambs and of course more food for us. We are working so hard we have to keep ourselves fuelled. I was just putting the shopping away when Josh rang. The number 6 twin at Tregurnog was unwell. Very unwell. It sounded similar to Neil’s lamb from yesterday.
Our hypothermia protocol (established last night) was immediately put into practice. The kettle went on for boiling water while I rushed to get changed. I got everything from the steriliser and rinsed the tubing kit. I put this in a clean bag and into my rucksack. I also packed honey, a thermometer and the brand new bottles. Last minute I decided to take 2 portions of milk powder too. And off I went. Josh met me in the yard and we walked to the lamb.
It looked dead. When we got closer we could see that it was still breathing. First job was to take it’s temperature because Josh said it’s mouth was cold. The temperature was 38.6° Referring to his print out, Neil said this was classed as minor hypothermia. A sheep’s temperature should be 40°. This wasnt too low. While we were deliberating what to do I gave it some honey on my little finger. It’s suck reflex wasn’t very good. The decision was made to tube it a glucose solution. This would give it extra energy. When we left it did manage to hold it’s head up better. Its mother was also coming closer. We purposely hadn’t held it so that its mother wouldn’t reject it. We headed home to finish the cheese and potato pie Josh made for our dinner yesterday.
After dinner we headed off to Arthur John’s for much needed ewe rolls. We have been feeding ewe nuts but the ewe rolls are larger. Hopefully there will be less wastage. The ewe nuts fall into the hoof prints and are so small that the ewes can’t get them out. I made a quick list on my phone. More lamb boost, a tubing kit for Josh, a heat lamp and something for scouring (diarrhoea), glucose powder and lime. Lime is used in the pens in between guests as a disinfectant. Lazarus’s mother is scouring so we are going to treat her but she has made a lot of mess on the floor. It’s like Aladdin’s Cave in the shop. Probablyonly interesting to a farmer though 😂. We added everything onto the account and left. At the traffic lights I had a lightbulb moment: “The ewe rolls!” We had to go back 🤦♀️
Josh dropped me and the dog off. He went to Tregurnog to check on number 6 and I went to Garth Hall. I fed EVERYONE! Neil worked in the barn, creating a new pen for number 3 and lamb. He mucked out the main pen and limed it. While I was feeding the outfield I noticed a small lamb looking confused in the crush of ewes. New one. Girl I think. Then Josh sent a photo of number 6. He had tubed it with milk but it was far from strong. “They’ll have to go in!” “How am I going to manage that on my own?” “Try!” He tried and he managed it and sent another photo. This one will have a better chance inside, close to it’s mother and twin.
I carried on around and there was a second single in the nursery. From what I could see, this one was a boy. I came out of the nursery and turned to the right to check that bottom corner of the wellfield. Ewe! Ooh, on her own. Lambing maybe 🤔 I waited, she started pawing thr ground, sitting down and getting up too. This ewe was relaxed. Not her first lambs. I watched, filmed a bit and watched again. The sun was going down and I was getting cold. The ewe wasn’t doing much either.
Josh brought my coat down but he was really talkative. This freaked the ewe out and she moved. I followed all the way behind her as far as the barn but she disappeared into the walled garden. I wonder if she is in the early stages of lambing? I’ll find out tomorrow…
I went into the barn to admire the new pen. The we had a spirited debate about Wednesday’s weather. I have the BBC Weather app on my phone. I don’t really know why, the forecast it provides is consistently inaccurate. Josh uses AccuWeather which is much better. But Neil pulled out the big gun. He has a Meteorology App and that says Wednesday will be dry. I wonder who will be correct? Farmers are obsessed with the weather but you can understand why when we are responsible for so many new and delicate little lives. I hope its dry 🤞
Helen x
