We've been busy feeding rescued pet lambs the past few days here at Struan Farm. It's always good to get them through the first two-four days, when they are fed six times each day. Feedings then drop to four times each day while the amount in the bottles is increased to a certain point.
Basically the situation requires the lambs, Karen, John, and sometimes nephew Mike as backup, to get into a routine. I should also add that this is not Clifford's favourite time of the year, he feels unloved and neglected as attention shifts to a pen of small baaing critters in the backyard.
It's still very early, but we have three pet lambs courtesy of the neighbouring farm so far: Buzz, whom you've met, "Sugar," and "Spice." Unfortunately their sister died on her first night with us. The triplets had been pulled out their mum by the shepherds after the ewe had what is called a "bearing," basically a premature birth. The lambs suffer quite a bit of trauma from all that, so our efforts that first night involve getting them warm and dry and fed asap. The third lamb was the smallest and never really drank much. She also had a raspy cough, so must have had lung problems. In situations like that we try to make weak lambs as comfortable and warm as possible (in this case on blankets inside by the fire), hoping they might recover from the shock and drink once warmed up. John talks about his mum putting cold, wet newborn lambs in the oven to revive them, but we haven't tried that. Sadly this little one died by the warm fire overnight.
But the good news is that Sugar and Spice are cuties. Personalities are already emerging: Spice is a bit noisy, Sugar is gentler and more reserved. They have moved into the Pet Palace. Buzz is adjusting to having new friends. We had farmstay guests staying in the Cottage this past weekend, including two young girls who loved sitting in the Pet Pen petting and playing with the lambs, also helping to feed them. This was fantastic from my perspective, since touch and human contact definitely help socialise them.
Stay tuned. Our lambing date is August 20, the farm next door was August 23, but they're coming now it seems whether expected or not. More pet lambs and stories to come!
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