hello,

i am at my cousins farm while she is on holiday, one of the ewe's has had a lamb yesterday but it still hasnt stood up it mom has rejected it so i am now bottle feeding it does anyone kno a way i could encourage it to stand i have tried everything the poor little thing is so adorable its worth it. i have spoken to a a friend who has done this before but i just feel like im bothering him all the time.

anyone got any advice?

geez I dunno! I'd hazard a guess at supporting it and pushing it up from underneath, support it while it stands for a little while and then gently let it down again until it's strength builds up but I know NOTHING and I mean, NOTHING about lambs!!

Good luck - we need piccies too ;)

well thats what iv done think iv done all i can! just hope it lives ill feel awful if it doesnt.

Could you not see if you can speak to a local farm vet?

I cross posted your post and got this reply

Unusual for one not to have stood after all this time. Worth getting it evaluated properly to see if there is a physical reason. Mum's dont usually reject things without cause. If your friend is absolutely sure that there is no physical reason for it not to be on its feet, she could try putting it up with a sling while feeding, but if it wont weight bear then, she really needs a large animal vet

Is it kneeling Vikki or completely down? If Kneeling I think this is quite normal??? If it is completely down then fluid can build up on the lungs so time is the essence.

I would just say to hold it up when you are feeding it and maybe try putting your hand under its belly and walking it yourself. Usually they are up straight away so this is a bit strange, does it seem interested at feeding time? Usually they are nearly climbing the fence at feeding time. Also does it have a heat lamp? or something similar to keep it warm as they get pretty cold without mum.

Id say if it carries on try see a vet about it, they should advise you best.

I love lambs lol the ones we bottle feed get used as pet lambs, its messy when they are young and you end up covered in milk and spit but when they are grown up its very rewarding. Its nice to have a friendly sheep that doesn't run away like the rest, we had one once that came up and licked your hands.

a family friend is the guy iv been asking and he has reared lambs all his life he says it is just a runt as mum had 2 lambs and to do the best i can.

it is kneeling yes and tonight while feeding he stood abit but then just dropped to the floor again.

i dont think it needs a vet tbh as he is full of life just wont stand we have checked his joints and other things etc i just think it was a little to cold when he was born which doesnt add to things he has benn getiing better over the day.

Oh bless, keep up the good work Jess. It will be tiring all those feeds, you do realise you wont get much sleep. Have you a dog coat / jumper you can put on the lamb?

I take it you are no longer in Sheffield, if anyone offers to help out with the shifts?

Aww poor little thing, hope it perks up a bit, perhaps it just needs to gain some strengh then.
Good luck little lamb.:love:

Glad to hear he's managed to stand a little. Hopefully building up his muscle tone this way and his strength with the feeding plus keeping him warm will help.

I was shown how to improve muscle tone in a dog's back legs - perhaps it could work the same with the lamb? You have to put one hand over the knee to stabilise it and the other hand under the foot then gently push up to make the leg bend but stabilise the knee making sure it doesn't go outwards. Repeat just a few times at first and build up.

Does that make sense? Dunno if it would work for the lamb but just thought it's worth a try.

good news everyone he is loads better this moring he is now standing them falling over bless him going to see how he goes then i will take him down to the pens and see if that hlps him seeing other lambs. you never know he may learn and realise what he has to do.

Fab news!! Well done! Keeping my fingers crossed he continues to improve!

i hope he does ive nick named him henry!

i hope he does ive nick named him henry!

Oh no, you've named him! That's it now - you won't be able to leave Henry to the food industry now. Hope you've got a big garden.

he is a male so they may keep him for next year to be a daddy. he is cute thou!

i would love to keep him but think my dog wont take to kindley to him.

fingers crossed henry is up on all fours now. anna.x.

How's Henry doing this morning?

sorry its been a busy day today had 4 lambs born then bottle feeding the rest and sorting dogs etc.

henry is great! i go home tommorow and i will be so gutted to leav him he has walked abit today but still dont think he is ready to go out in the pens with the others yet.

a friend has been and i cant say what it is cause its too long but to put it short his joints in his front legs are abit weak and need to build up abit more hence why his bum sticks in the air then goes on to his front knees then stands and collapses.

i managed to help him walk today thou so we are gradually helping him.