Re: [blackbelly] lambs
Great! I had twins born last Friday. Both brown Cecil in Okla - Original Message - From: "Johnson, Oneta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "BB Sheep" Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 9:20 AM Subject: [blackbelly] lambs > > I do not usually brag but was excited when I got home from work yesterday. > Had 3 Valentine babies. Twins out of my bb ewe. Both rams. One is bb > and one is painted desert. Not sure where that came from. One out of my > cream bb. This is her first and he is tiny. We have decided his name is > Cupid. The others are probably going to be Casanova and Valentino. > Oneta > McLoud, OK > > > ___ > This message is from the blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [blackbelly] lambs
Thought I'd "brag" on my girls, too! At YesterYear we have had 26 babies ( including 6 set of twins) in 23 days!! Baby "number 20" was the broke leg ewes little girl! Stephanie - Original Message - From: "Cecil Bearden" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 11:12 PM Subject: Re: [blackbelly] lambs > Great! I had twins born last Friday. Both brown > > Cecil in Okla > - Original Message - > From: "Johnson, Oneta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "BB Sheep" > Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 9:20 AM > Subject: [blackbelly] lambs > > > > > > I do not usually brag but was excited when I got home from work yesterday. > > Had 3 Valentine babies. Twins out of my bb ewe. Both rams. One is bb > > and one is painted desert. Not sure where that came from. One out of my > > cream bb. This is her first and he is tiny. We have decided his name is > > Cupid. The others are probably going to be Casanova and Valentino. > > Oneta > > McLoud, OK > > > > > > ___ > > This message is from the blackbelly mailing list > > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info > > ___ > This message is from the blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [blackbelly] lambs
WOW!! 26 in 23 days!! I know what you've been doing!!! That's Great!! Cecil Piedmont, OK - Original Message - From: "Stephanie Jones" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 7:41 PM Subject: Re: [blackbelly] lambs > > Thought I'd "brag" on my girls, too! At YesterYear we have had 26 > babies ( including 6 set of twins) in 23 days!! Baby "number 20" was > the broke leg ewes little girl! > > Stephanie > > - Original Message - > From: "Cecil Bearden" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: > Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 11:12 PM > Subject: Re: [blackbelly] lambs > > >> Great! I had twins born last Friday. Both brown >> >> Cecil in Okla >> - Original Message - >> From: "Johnson, Oneta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: "BB Sheep" >> Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 9:20 AM >> Subject: [blackbelly] lambs >> >> >> > >> > I do not usually brag but was excited when I got home from work > yesterday. >> > Had 3 Valentine babies. Twins out of my bb ewe. Both rams. One is > bb >> > and one is painted desert. Not sure where that came from. One out > of my >> > cream bb. This is her first and he is tiny. We have decided his > name is >> > Cupid. The others are probably going to be Casanova and Valentino. >> > Oneta >> > McLoud, OK >> > >> > >> > ___ >> > This message is from the blackbelly mailing list >> > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info >> >> ___ >> This message is from the blackbelly mailing list >> Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info > > > ___ > This message is from the blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [blackbelly] Lambs outside
I pen mine up close to the ewe for the first 2 nights. If it is cold they have a heat lamp. If it is a red infrared lamp, they may be afraid of the red light. I notice mine are nervous sometimes if they are under the red light for a long time Cecil in OKla - Original Message - From: "David Kellough" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 9:41 PM Subject: [blackbelly] Lambs outside > > We have a question, this is our first winter lambing, Molly our ewe had 2 > lambs this morning. and the new lambs are staying outside instead of in > the > shed. I have it open for them and they do go in, but I checked on them a > few > times tonight and every time I found them outside laying beside the shed > instead of in it. I do have a heat lamp on inside to help the new ones. > Could this be keeping them out? They used it today during day light with > the > lamp on, but now that its dark they don't seem to want to go inside. Will > they be fine and go in when needed or should I lock them in at night to be > safe? > > thanks > David and Susan Kellough > Ohio > > ___ > This message is from the blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info > http://lists.blackbellysheep.info/listinfo.cgi/blackbelly-blackbellysheep.info > ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info http://lists.blackbellysheep.info/listinfo.cgi/blackbelly-blackbellysheep.info
Re: [blackbelly] Lambs Born
I have a question. I have a young ewe, not yet 1 yoa, who had her 1st lamb. He is itty bitty, teeny, tiny. My twins born the same day are bigger than him. He is nursing well and mom is being a good mom. I keep checking his tummy to make sure he has a belly and watch him nurse. Tail goes crazy and mom is putting out the milk. I am trying not to mess with them and let her be a mom but I keep thinking I need to do something with him so small. She has good weight and they both seem happy campers. Am I being paranoid or do I need to worry. The closest sheep vet is a ways off and I do not want to haul them if I can keep from it. Has anyone else seen little guys to 1st time moms. oj -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Nancy Richardson Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 3:23 PM To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [blackbelly] Lambs Born Well since everyone is speaking of lambs . We have had 113 live lambs born since Jan 1 to 64 ewes total. Some of these are Jacobs but over half are black bellies of some sort. We lost 7 others for various reasons. We are not done lambing yet. But I hope they hold off for about another week because we have a terrible cold snap coming with high winds to boot. Good Luck to everyone else whose going to be lambing soon! It sounds like we all had some very busy rams last fall! Nancy ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [blackbelly] Lambs Born
Yep, had a few. Sounds like yours are doing better than mine. My flock was sort of "rescued" from the previous owner, so they were really malnourished. The first lambing was around Christmastime and it was a real pain. Every lamb was small and mama did not have any milk for 3 days. The next lambing, they were no trouble... Yours sounds like it is fine. I would keep it warm with this cold snap coming and make sure mama has plenty of good hay. I use alfalfa for the mothers for the first couple of weeks.. Cecil - Original Message - From: "Johnson, Oneta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: ; "Nancy Richardson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 3:29 PM Subject: Re: [blackbelly] Lambs Born > > I have a question. I have a young ewe, not yet 1 yoa, who had her 1st > lamb. He is itty bitty, teeny, tiny. My twins born the same day are > bigger than him. He is nursing well and mom is being a good mom. I keep > checking his tummy to make sure he has a belly and watch him nurse. Tail > goes crazy and mom is putting out the milk. I am trying not to mess with > them and let her be a mom but I keep thinking I need to do something with > him so small. She has good weight and they both seem happy campers. Am I > being paranoid or do I need to worry. The closest sheep vet is a ways off > and I do not want to haul them if I can keep from it. > Has anyone else seen little guys to 1st time moms. oj > > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Nancy > Richardson > Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 3:23 PM > To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info > Subject: [blackbelly] Lambs Born > > > Well since everyone is speaking of lambs . We have had 113 live lambs > born > since Jan 1 to 64 ewes total. Some of these are Jacobs but over half are > black bellies of some sort. We lost 7 others for various reasons. We are > not > done lambing yet. But I hope they hold off for about another week because > we > have a terrible cold snap coming with high winds to boot. Good Luck to > everyone else whose going to be lambing soon! It sounds like we all had > some > very busy rams last fall! Nancy > > ___ > This message is from the blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info > ___ > This message is from the blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [blackbelly] Lambs Born
Many young mothers and/or first time mothers have smaller babies. This applies to almost all species. It is sort of like the Momma is practicing the pregnancy, parturation and raising stuff. As long as Momma and baby are both behaving normally, the baby continues to gain and remain active, you are okay. Who knows, the little one may ony day be your most prized ram! Terry ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing
Mary, We have lost some newly born lambs to eagles in the past, so fence were no help. We have had no further problems after we introduced guard dogs (they were introduced because of coyote though not the eagles). Regards, Stephan -Original Message- From: blackbelly-boun...@lists.blackbellysheep.info [mailto:blackbelly-boun...@lists.blackbellysheep.info] On Behalf Of Mary Swindell Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 10:57 AM To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing Hi folks, For the first time in all the years I've been raising sheep, I've had lambs disappearing without a trace. I lost 2 lambs on 08/07/11 and I lost 2 more lambs Saturday night 08/13/11. I have excellent fence (5-foot tall, tightly woven, and electrified). There is no evidence anywhere. No bent fencing, no holes, no hair, no blood, nothing. I am next to a deep woods in southern Illinois. I guess whatever is taking my lambs would have to jump over the fence and back out with a lamb in its mouth. I guess it is possible that locals are rustling my lambs, but I think it is unlikely because they are so hard to catch. Also, my house is next to the entrance drive and I think it would be unlikely that someone would come so close to the house to steal them. Someone suggested a night camera mounted to look on the fence line. Has anyone tried them? They sound expensive. I wonder if the IDNR or some other source makes arrangements to loan or rent them out. Anyone have any similar experiences? Any thoughts? Any suggestions? Mary Swindell Bellwether Farm 815 Bell Hill Road Cobden, IL 62920 (618) 893-4568 or (618) 967-5046 www.bellwetherfarm.com mswin...@siu.edu ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info "The information in this email and any attachments may be confidential and privileged. Access to this email by anyone other than the intended addressee is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient (or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this information to the intended recipient) please notify the sender by reply email and immediately delete this email and any copies from your computer and/or storage system. The sender does not authorize the use, distribution, disclosure or reproduction of this email (or any part of its contents) by anyone other than the intended recipient(s). No representation is made that this email and any attachments are free of viruses. Virus scanning is recommended and is the responsibility of the recipient." ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing
Mary, the smaller lambs COULD be taken by larger raptors. Search your sky-- see if you see any Vultureshovering over possible remains-- the vultures wait for the actual predator to leave the carcasses. A Coyote would have a hard time jumping a 5 foot fence with a load in it's mouth-- and they typically hunt in packs. Odd that you are missing them in pairs-- are they related pairs? If so, I would think two legged predator- despite your set up. Game cameras are good for night time recording of what is happening. They are motion activated, and are not really that expensive, considering they are self contained, and some come with transmitting capabilities so you can observe on your computer screen. A flashing red light had been proven to deter predators and other unwanted animals, like deer. When rustlers know there is a good chance they will be filmed, they may very well look for easier pickings.. Terry W NE OHIO ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing
Mary, I've used a game camera to monitor my sheep and my friend has used one to try to determine what predator is killing her chickens. The trick with the camera is to mount it in an area that the predator is guaranteed to pass. That could be hard to do if your sheep are out on pasture at night. The predator has to pass within a certain distance to trigger the camera shutter. And every animal that passes will trigger the shutter, including your sheep. That can quickly wear down the battery. Check http://www.cabelas.com for cameras. For reviews of the available cameras, see http://www.google.com/search?q=game+camera+reviews&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a Make sure you purchase one that has infrared capability to take night pictures . Carol At 08:56 AM 8/15/2011, you wrote: Someone suggested a night camera mounted to look on the fence line. Has anyone tried them? They sound expensive. I wonder if the IDNR or some other source makes arrangements to loan or rent them out. ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing
in your situation I would not suspect eagles - eagles would go after your ducks first and in the daytime my list of suspects - humans, bobcat, coyote the confusing part is two at a time - predators seldom kill and carry off more than they can eat in one meal - that puts humans at the top of the list ron - Original Message Follows - From: Mary Swindell To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:56:40 -0500 > Hi folks, > > For the first time in all the years I've been raising > sheep, I've had lambs disappearing without a trace. I > lost 2 lambs on 08/07/11 and I lost 2 more lambs Saturday > night 08/13/11. I have excellent fence (5-foot tall, > tightly woven, and electrified). There is no evidence > anywhere. No bent fencing, no holes, no hair, no blood, > nothing. I am next to a deep woods in southern Illinois. > I guess whatever is taking my lambs would have to jump > over the fence and back out with a lamb in its mouth. > > I guess it is possible that locals are rustling my lambs, > but I think it is unlikely because they are so hard to > catch. Also, my house is next to the entrance drive and > I think it would be unlikely that someone would come so > close to the house to steal them. > > Someone suggested a night camera mounted to look on the > fence line. Has anyone tried them? They sound > expensive. I wonder if the IDNR or some other source > makes arrangements to loan or rent them out. > > Anyone have any similar experiences? Any thoughts? Any > suggestions? > > Mary Swindell > > Bellwether Farm > 815 Bell Hill Road > Cobden, IL 62920 > (618) 893-4568 or (618) 967-5046 > www.bellwetherfarm.com > mswin...@siu.edu > > ___ > This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at > %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing
I think large feline predators are possible. Cougars now live in Illinois. And bobcats are large enough to take small lambs. Do you check your lambs every day to be certain that 2 are going missing on the same night? Or could they be disappearing one at a time over several nights? Stephanie -Original Message- From: Mary Swindell Sender: blackbelly-bounces@lists.blackbellysheep.infoDate: Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:56:40 To: Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing Hi folks, For the first time in all the years I've been raising sheep, I've had lambs disappearing without a trace. I lost 2 lambs on 08/07/11 and I lost 2 more lambs Saturday night 08/13/11. I have excellent fence (5-foot tall, tightly woven, and electrified). There is no evidence anywhere. No bent fencing, no holes, no hair, no blood, nothing. I am next to a deep woods in southern Illinois. I guess whatever is taking my lambs would have to jump over the fence and back out with a lamb in its mouth. I guess it is possible that locals are rustling my lambs, but I think it is unlikely because they are so hard to catch. Also, my house is next to the entrance drive and I think it would be unlikely that someone would come so close to the house to steal them. Someone suggested a night camera mounted to look on the fence line. Has anyone tried them? They sound expensive. I wonder if the IDNR or some other source makes arrangements to loan or rent them out. Anyone have any similar experiences? Any thoughts? Any suggestions? Mary Swindell Bellwether Farm 815 Bell Hill Road Cobden, IL 62920 (618) 893-4568 or (618) 967-5046 www.bellwetherfarm.com mswin...@siu.edu ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing
Do you pen your sheep up at night. I lost lambs and ewes also until I penned my sheep up every night. After 4 days of getting them into the pen in the evening, they put themselves up before dark and all I have to do is shut the gate. Look over the perimeter fence for any sign of trails, or hair. Call your Illinois dept of agriculture, and ask for Animal Damage Control. these guys should know their job and be able to help with predators. We had a real good one years back who taught me how to trap coyotes. The new guy is worthless.. So as the commercial says Your mileage may vary. For less than $100 you can set up a internet wifi camera that you can monitor the area with. Tilt and pan are more expensive, but might help. I might suggest motion detecting lights. If it is predators or humans, it will be a deterrent. Cecil in OKla - Original Message - From: "Mary Swindell" To: Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 9:56 AM Subject: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing Hi folks, For the first time in all the years I've been raising sheep, I've had lambs disappearing without a trace. I lost 2 lambs on 08/07/11 and I lost 2 more lambs Saturday night 08/13/11. I have excellent fence (5-foot tall, tightly woven, and electrified). There is no evidence anywhere. No bent fencing, no holes, no hair, no blood, nothing. I am next to a deep woods in southern Illinois. I guess whatever is taking my lambs would have to jump over the fence and back out with a lamb in its mouth. I guess it is possible that locals are rustling my lambs, but I think it is unlikely because they are so hard to catch. Also, my house is next to the entrance drive and I think it would be unlikely that someone would come so close to the house to steal them. Someone suggested a night camera mounted to look on the fence line. Has anyone tried them? They sound expensive. I wonder if the IDNR or some other source makes arrangements to loan or rent them out. Anyone have any similar experiences? Any thoughts? Any suggestions? Mary Swindell Bellwether Farm 815 Bell Hill Road Cobden, IL 62920 (618) 893-4568 or (618) 967-5046 www.bellwetherfarm.com mswin...@siu.edu ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing
I try to pen my more tame sheep at night as well. Easier on rainy evenings, as you might imagine. I do it by calling them and dropping food down. Some are skittish enough that if I approached the pen gate to close it, without inviting them in and feeding them, they would bolt. The more mature sheep that were not raised by me (I bought them like that) would practically kill me trying to rush the gate if I tried to close it on them, so I rarely bother. If any of you have taken a leaping 100# ewe in the face, you know what I am talking about. Knocked me on my butt. I thought I broke my nose. Sometimes when I call them in, the younger ones, especially, get naughty and play a game of back and forth, prancing out, then back in a few times and they get confused about who to follow and then I lose them out in the pasture with the older girls. Especially if I do it too early and they still feel like playing. -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies On Tue, Aug 16, 2011 at 3:55 AM, Cecil Bearden wrote: > Do you pen your sheep up at night. I lost lambs and ewes also until I > penned my sheep up every night. After 4 days of getting them into the pen > in the evening, they put themselves up before dark and all I have to do is > shut the gate. Look over the perimeter fence for any sign of trails, or > hair. Call your Illinois dept of agriculture, and ask for Animal Damage > Control. these guys should know their job and be able to help with > predators. We had a real good one years back who taught me how to trap > coyotes. The new guy is worthless.. > > So as the commercial says Your mileage may vary. For less than $100 you can > set up a internet wifi camera that you can monitor the area with. Tilt and > pan are more expensive, but might help. I might suggest motion detecting > lights. If it is predators or humans, it will be a deterrent. > > Cecil in OKla > > > - Original Message - From: "Mary Swindell" > To: > Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 9:56 AM > Subject: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing > > >> Hi folks, >> >> For the first time in all the years I've been raising sheep, I've had >> lambs disappearing without a trace. I lost 2 lambs on 08/07/11 and I lost 2 >> more lambs Saturday night 08/13/11. I have excellent fence (5-foot tall, >> tightly woven, and electrified). There is no evidence anywhere. No bent >> fencing, no holes, no hair, no blood, nothing. I am next to a deep woods in >> southern Illinois. I guess whatever is taking my lambs would have to jump >> over the fence and back out with a lamb in its mouth. >> >> I guess it is possible that locals are rustling my lambs, but I think it >> is unlikely because they are so hard to catch. Also, my house is next to >> the entrance drive and I think it would be unlikely that someone would come >> so close to the house to steal them. >> >> Someone suggested a night camera mounted to look on the fence line. Has >> anyone tried them? They sound expensive. I wonder if the IDNR or some >> other source makes arrangements to loan or rent them out. >> >> Anyone have any similar experiences? Any thoughts? Any suggestions? >> >> Mary Swindell >> >> Bellwether Farm >> 815 Bell Hill Road >> Cobden, IL 62920 >> (618) 893-4568 or (618) 967-5046 >> www.bellwetherfarm.com >> mswin...@siu.edu >> >> ___ >> This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list >> Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info > > ___ > This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info > ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing
My wife and I guffawed over your email Michael. We have to have a team of people to herd our flocks into a V-shaped chute to get them into a corral with a squeeze gate to work on them. As the space gets tighter and tighter, the sheep stop and turn toward us, looking for an opening. After a moment, one of them will attempt escape by a direct leap to someone's face. After an instant, then they all leap and flee. My wife was bowled over by the flock after a leap to the head. The trick is to have a strong athletic young man in the group who will catch the first leaping sheep at head height. That will be the head ewe. Once she is subdued, the rest act like sheep and enter the corral. These experiences are very funny.in retrospect. Jerry Windmill Farms LLC Picayune, Mississippi -Original Message- From: Michael Smith Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 12:37 PM To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing I try to pen my more tame sheep at night as well. Easier on rainy evenings, as you might imagine. I do it by calling them and dropping food down. Some are skittish enough that if I approached the pen gate to close it, without inviting them in and feeding them, they would bolt. The more mature sheep that were not raised by me (I bought them like that) would practically kill me trying to rush the gate if I tried to close it on them, so I rarely bother. If any of you have taken a leaping 100# ewe in the face, you know what I am talking about. Knocked me on my butt. I thought I broke my nose. Sometimes when I call them in, the younger ones, especially, get naughty and play a game of back and forth, prancing out, then back in a few times and they get confused about who to follow and then I lose them out in the pasture with the older girls. Especially if I do it too early and they still feel like playing. -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies On Tue, Aug 16, 2011 at 3:55 AM, Cecil Bearden wrote: Do you pen your sheep up at night. I lost lambs and ewes also until I penned my sheep up every night. After 4 days of getting them into the pen in the evening, they put themselves up before dark and all I have to do is shut the gate. Look over the perimeter fence for any sign of trails, or hair. Call your Illinois dept of agriculture, and ask for Animal Damage Control. these guys should know their job and be able to help with predators. We had a real good one years back who taught me how to trap coyotes. The new guy is worthless.. So as the commercial says Your mileage may vary. For less than $100 you can set up a internet wifi camera that you can monitor the area with. Tilt and pan are more expensive, but might help. I might suggest motion detecting lights. If it is predators or humans, it will be a deterrent. Cecil in OKla - Original Message - From: "Mary Swindell" To: Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 9:56 AM Subject: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing Hi folks, For the first time in all the years I've been raising sheep, I've had lambs disappearing without a trace. I lost 2 lambs on 08/07/11 and I lost 2 more lambs Saturday night 08/13/11. I have excellent fence (5-foot tall, tightly woven, and electrified). There is no evidence anywhere. No bent fencing, no holes, no hair, no blood, nothing. I am next to a deep woods in southern Illinois. I guess whatever is taking my lambs would have to jump over the fence and back out with a lamb in its mouth. I guess it is possible that locals are rustling my lambs, but I think it is unlikely because they are so hard to catch. Also, my house is next to the entrance drive and I think it would be unlikely that someone would come so close to the house to steal them. Someone suggested a night camera mounted to look on the fence line. Has anyone tried them? They sound expensive. I wonder if the IDNR or some other source makes arrangements to loan or rent them out. Anyone have any similar experiences? Any thoughts? Any suggestions? Mary Swindell Bellwether Farm 815 Bell Hill Road Cobden, IL 62920 (618) 893-4568 or (618) 967-5046 www.bellwetherfarm.com mswin...@siu.edu ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing
Glad you two liked it! I actually did have that "strong athletic" moment again with the same ewe. She tried to leap past me and without thinking... my arm whipped out in the shape of a Shepherd's crook and caught her right on the neck, I brought her down to the ground real quick and had some words for her, and stuffer her back in. She was pregnant with one of my favorite rams. He came out fine, even though she hit the deck pretty hard. -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies Sent from my iPad On Aug 17, 2011, at 7:51 AM, "Jerry" wrote: > My wife and I guffawed over your email Michael. We have to have a team of > people to herd our flocks into a V-shaped chute to get them into a corral > with a squeeze gate to work on them. As the space gets tighter and tighter, > the sheep stop and turn toward us, looking for an opening. After a moment, > one of them will attempt escape by a direct leap to someone's face. After an > instant, then they all leap and flee. My wife was bowled over by the flock > after a leap to the head. The trick is to have a strong athletic young man > in the group who will catch the first leaping sheep at head height. That > will be the head ewe. Once she is subdued, the rest act like sheep and enter > the corral. > > These experiences are very funny.in retrospect. > > Jerry > Windmill Farms LLC > Picayune, Mississippi > > -Original Message- From: Michael Smith > Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 12:37 PM > To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info > Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing > > I try to pen my more tame sheep at night as well. Easier on rainy > evenings, as you might imagine. I do it by calling them and dropping > food down. Some are skittish enough that if I approached the pen gate > to close it, without inviting them in and feeding them, they would > bolt. > > The more mature sheep that were not raised by me (I bought them like > that) would practically kill me trying to rush the gate if I tried to > close it on them, so I rarely bother. If any of you have taken a > leaping 100# ewe in the face, you know what I am talking about. > Knocked me on my butt. I thought I broke my nose. > > Sometimes when I call them in, the younger ones, especially, get > naughty and play a game of back and forth, prancing out, then back in > a few times and they get confused about who to follow and then I lose > them out in the pasture with the older girls. Especially if I do it > too early and they still feel like playing. > > -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies > > On Tue, Aug 16, 2011 at 3:55 AM, Cecil Bearden wrote: >> Do you pen your sheep up at night. I lost lambs and ewes also until I >> penned my sheep up every night. After 4 days of getting them into the pen >> in the evening, they put themselves up before dark and all I have to do is >> shut the gate. Look over the perimeter fence for any sign of trails, or >> hair. Call your Illinois dept of agriculture, and ask for Animal Damage >> Control. these guys should know their job and be able to help with >> predators. We had a real good one years back who taught me how to trap >> coyotes. The new guy is worthless.. >> >> So as the commercial says Your mileage may vary. For less than $100 you can >> set up a internet wifi camera that you can monitor the area with. Tilt and >> pan are more expensive, but might help. I might suggest motion detecting >> lights. If it is predators or humans, it will be a deterrent. >> >> Cecil in OKla >> >> >> - Original Message - From: "Mary Swindell" >> To: >> Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 9:56 AM >> Subject: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing >> >> >>> Hi folks, >>> >>> For the first time in all the years I've been raising sheep, I've had >>> lambs disappearing without a trace. I lost 2 lambs on 08/07/11 and I lost 2 >>> more lambs Saturday night 08/13/11. I have excellent fence (5-foot tall, >>> tightly woven, and electrified). There is no evidence anywhere. No bent >>> fencing, no holes, no hair, no blood, nothing. I am next to a deep woods in >>> southern Illinois. I guess whatever is taking my lambs would have to jump >>> over the fence and back out with a lamb in its mouth. >>> >>> I guess it is possible that locals are rustling my lambs, but I think it >>> is unlikely because they are so hard to catch. Also, my house is next to >>> the entrance drive and I think it would be unlikely that someone would come >>> so close to the house to steal them. >>> >>> Someon
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs with colds
Hi Nancy, There are some good holistic products out there on the web. If you visit www.wolfcreekranch.com they have products for cough and cold that you could try. They are very detailed in whats in their formulas so you can see if something won't work for sheep. I think their product called Pets cough and cold formula would be safe to administer to a lamb based on the ingredient list. ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] lambs can't or won't suckle
Definitely try to express some milk. Also check her bag to make sure it is not unusually hard. It could be that that huge milk bag has no milk! We recently talked about OPP and "Hard Bag" here. This could be an example (or not). If the momma is rejecting the lambs then a stanchion to restrain her would be helpful. Just make sure the milk bag is proper. It could be that the momma knows that she is unable to care for these lambs. Mark Wintermute A two year old ewe had twins night before last. She was enormous with bulging sides and a huge bag. I watched yesterday in the pasture and never saw the lambs suckle. I put them in the sheep barn last night and this morning she seems to avoid them. One of the lambs does not make any effort but both appear normal: they move well and follow momma. I watched for about 1/2 hour this morning and saw no suckling. Her udder is MUCH larger than any of the other ewes with twins. It looks very tight, as if it should be painful, but the ewe appears normal. As a neophyte, I don't know what to do. Should I try to express some milk? Should I restrain momma and try to get the lambs to suckle? I tried attaching a couple of photos for you to have a look, but the moderator kicked that back. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Jerry Mississippi ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] lambs can't or won't suckle
Just had another idea other than the OPP/HardBag/Mastitis. Do you think it is possible she still has another lamb inside her? If she has a dead lamb inside her it would fit your description. I would get some lube and a long glove and find out. A shot of oxytocin might help her clean out as well. Mark Definitely try to express some milk. Also check her bag to make sure it is not unusually hard. It could be that that huge milk bag has no milk! We recently talked about OPP and "Hard Bag" here. This could be an example (or not). If the momma is rejecting the lambs then a stanchion to restrain her would be helpful. Just make sure the milk bag is proper. It could be that the momma knows that she is unable to care for these lambs. Mark Wintermute A two year old ewe had twins night before last. She was enormous with bulging sides and a huge bag. I watched yesterday in the pasture and never saw the lambs suckle. I put them in the sheep barn last night and this morning she seems to avoid them. One of the lambs does not make any effort but both appear normal: they move well and follow momma. I watched for about 1/2 hour this morning and saw no suckling. Her udder is MUCH larger than any of the other ewes with twins. It looks very tight, as if it should be painful, but the ewe appears normal. As a neophyte, I don't know what to do. Should I try to express some milk? Should I restrain momma and try to get the lambs to suckle? I tried attaching a couple of photos for you to have a look, but the moderator kicked that back. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Jerry Mississippi ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] lambs can't or won't suckle
I would try to express some milk. If the doe doesn't have a temperature, it's unlikely to be mastitis, although it could be incubating. Another possibility is a plugged teat; clues could be that the lambs are nursing unusually often, or that they have given up trying. There may be semi-solid bit of hardened mucus blocking the teat which you could maneuver out. But if you try to milk her and don't get anything, it could be another issue: I sometimes have sheep and even goats that are quite secretive about nursing their kids, especially in the first few days, and won't let me see them at it. As long as the lambs seem lively that could be what is going on. Bonnie - Original Message - From: "The Wintermutes" To: Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 2:57 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] lambs can't or won't suckle Just had another idea other than the OPP/HardBag/Mastitis. Do you think it is possible she still has another lamb inside her? If she has a dead lamb inside her it would fit your description. I would get some lube and a long glove and find out. A shot of oxytocin might help her clean out as well. Mark Definitely try to express some milk. Also check her bag to make sure it is not unusually hard. It could be that that huge milk bag has no milk! We recently talked about OPP and "Hard Bag" here. This could be an example (or not). If the momma is rejecting the lambs then a stanchion to restrain her would be helpful. Just make sure the milk bag is proper. It could be that the momma knows that she is unable to care for these lambs. Mark Wintermute A two year old ewe had twins night before last. She was enormous with bulging sides and a huge bag. I watched yesterday in the pasture and never saw the lambs suckle. I put them in the sheep barn last night and this morning she seems to avoid them. One of the lambs does not make any effort but both appear normal: they move well and follow momma. I watched for about 1/2 hour this morning and saw no suckling. Her udder is MUCH larger than any of the other ewes with twins. It looks very tight, as if it should be painful, but the ewe appears normal. As a neophyte, I don't know what to do. Should I try to express some milk? Should I restrain momma and try to get the lambs to suckle? I tried attaching a couple of photos for you to have a look, but the moderator kicked that back. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Jerry Mississippi ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.7/1982 - Release Date: 03/03/09 16:09:00 ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] lambs won'r or can't suckle
I had one do that last year and come to find out the baby could not get the plug out to nurse. The vet had me milk the ewe and make sure milk was coming and then I held her and the baby, I had help, and got baby nursing. Could not stop them after that. I would like to hear what others think. You never know if we may have that problem. oj in ok Oneta and The Gang www.johnsonquarterhorses.com Don't tell GOD what to do, just report for duty! --- On Wed, 3/4/09, blueberryfarm wrote: > From: blueberryfarm > Subject: lambs won'r or can't suckle > To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info, jq...@yahoo.com > Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 9:37 AM > A two year old ewe had twins night before last. She was > enormous with bulging sides and a huge bag. I watched > yesterday in the pasture and never saw the lambs suckle. I > put them in the sheep barn last night and this morning she > seems to avoid them. One of the lambs does not make an > effort but both appear normal: they move well and follow > momma. I watched for about 1/2 hour this morning and saw no > suckling. Her udder is MUCH larger than any of the other > ewes with twins. It looks very tight, as if it should be > painful, but the ewe appears normal. As a neophyte, I > don't know what to do. Should I try to express some > milk? Should I restrain momma and try to get the lambs to > suckle? > > I attach a couple of photos for your diagnosis. > > Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. > > Jerry > Mississippi ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
