Thanks Carol. I have a few extra things to add for consideration. I know that I won't have a definitive answer but I want to throw some of this out there.
This is the first time I've ever castrated. I have a very small flock - five ewes. I have grown tired of separating the ram lambs from the ewe lambs as my fenced areas are smaller than I'd like. I like seeing them all run together so I thought I'd castrate. Next time I won't castrate so young. The other fellas were a week old and strong, this guy was still little. The night before castration I was awakened by the sound of very close by foxes. I have livestock guardian dogs. One female is just under two and pretty solid but still immature. I haven't kept her in with the sheep at night, only once in awhile. So at 4:00 am I got up to check the sheep. The foxes were close and the dogs were barking. I put my dog in with the sheep. We have lots of snow here that is now hard and crusty and the animals can run on top of it to get around leaving my flock vulnerable. That morning was when I noticed the nick on the ram's head. Now I'm all worried that it was my dog who did this. But if the ram had neurological issues from a snap from the dog wouldn't they have manifested themselves right away? I have a hard time believing she did this as she will carefully lay among the sheep during the days while supervised. However, how does a two day old lamb get a nick? This leads me to my next point...don't castrate unless the lamb is 100%. He appeared fine that day but why stress him out with another procedure? Last thing to consider. This first time ewe has four nipples instead of two. Normally you'd probably not keep that but I liked her conformation and her lines throw some nice lambs. She's really skittish but I managed to express milk from two on the same side so I know her plumbing is working. If she is a little different - could that impact her lambs? I can't change what happened but for my remaining two ewes who have to deliver I will ensure that they have their own space to lamb and be apart from the rest of the flock as to avoid unfortunate accidents. Thanks for your input. Natasha British Columbia, Canada Sent from my iPad > Do not beat yourself up; simply learn. > > The only thing that occurred to me from reading your email is wondering if > perhaps it might be unnecessary to castrate your ram lambs. That would reduce > the amount of trauma that they have to go through, especially so soon after > birth. > It never gets easier. Don't let anyone tell you that it does. > > Carol _______________________________________________ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
