We have two momma’s ewe’s that are huge, bagged up and ready to go in lock down in the big barn to control where they lamb at.. we have three ewe’s with lambs on side up in the Croft Jug pens, closer to the house for ease of checking.
This has greatly increased my chore time but its so worth it. The first set of twins was as even as can be and at two weeks are rocking it!
sadg
The second set of twins are now thriving and moved into the shared jug with the lambs and their mother above. They are a strong set of twin ram lambs and while there is a difference in size, they are both doing very well. No longer needing coats or heat lamp.
The third set of twins are also rams and there is quite the difference in size between them as well, both are white with horn buds, the big male (R1) is doing great, They are now coming on 72 hours old and he is hitting all his marks, the odds of him growing up now are excellent.
However his smaller second born brother (R2) can not have the same said about him.
He was and is “JUST” making his milestones.. I made sure he got in and got his first milk, I checked all the normal things and they were all good.. but he was off.. Look at the picture above, you can see it in his face, see the pain wrinkles, the way his mouth pulls up.. (if he was a horse and you saw this, you would start checking to see what was not working right be it tack or body wise)
You can see the difference on his twin’s face. so much more relaxed and correct!
Now being born is hard work so I took the first 12 to 24 hours slow.. but on the morning of day 2, I took my stool, got the babies up from a sleep and watched.. and watched until they were ready to go back down again.. At that point R2 was caught and given a much closer physical check as I had narrowed down what appeared to be the issue or at least sort of.
His latch is off because his mouth is not lining up properly, its not a overbite or underbite, its more a wry mouth going just a touch sideways.. I can’t feel a deform to the bone (this is a very good thing) so I am truly hoping it is a pulled tendon that happened during birth and that with careful stretching and movement by me, that I can help him length it out and get more movement. I will have to watch this carefully not just for the latch but also for how his teeth line up for chewing..
A lamb that can not successful match his teeth to chew is not a lamb that is going to thrive.. We will see what can be done and time will tell.. There is always a curve ball that each birth and season brings to you!
I will keep you posted, even if that means needing to tell you that in the end he needed to be humanely put down or if I have indeed been able to help him.. only time will give me that answer.
Just another Day on the Farm 
I have been thinking of you and this little guy a lot. Your perceptiveness and thorough checks are amazing. That’s one of the things I love about following your blog. You share details that might be common for homesteaders and farmers, but are so far from the radar of a common consumer like myself. I’ve had enough rural and farm connections all my life to truly respect local farmers. The work ethic, dedication and sheer physical and emotional commitments are astounding.
Following your blog gives me insight to how most families lived less than a century ago. Of course you have many modern tools, communication, etc. But that just balances the fact that you do not have generations of family and close knit community to assist and support you. My own in-laws, now just 70 grew up on an island in Newfoundland raising and storing most of their own food by necessity. One family without electricity and plumbing until she moved away in her early twenties.
I didn’t get to reply to yesterday’s post, but as one of the many who have asked you some of those questions, thank you for so candidly “opening your books” and sharing that aspect with us.
Good luck with your “runt” and may you have strength and support through your decisions.
Thank You Penny for all your thoughts and comments. Grateful for the kind thoughts about my little R2. Glad you are enjoying the open my books as well 🙂
Very helpful post. Can you teach us more about what to look for in lambs. I am finding there is so much to learn even though I have had sheep for 4 years.
Hi Tee, I would be open to talking more about things, do you have any type of questions you would want to ask me, that would help me greatly in being able to write a post or posts? Always so much to learn!
Fingers crossed for the wee lad. 🙂