258 THE LAMBING PERIOD 



to see it. When this is the case the shepherd is obliged to hold the 

 ewe while the lamb takes its first feed, but if it is strung and an 

 eager feeder the one holding is usually all that is necessary. 



Often a strong lamb, eager to feed, but unable to find the teat, 

 can be trained by being helped once or twice. When assisting such 

 a lamb it is best to let the ewe stand rather than to lay her on her 

 side. By backing her into a corner and placing a knee against her 

 brisket to hold her the shepherd has both hands free to guide the 

 lamb to the teat, which should be done by gently pushing the lamb 

 at the tail with one hand and holding obstructions away from the 

 teat with the other. 



Helping a Weak Lamb. A strong lamb is up on its feet, 

 bleating and searching for food a few minutes after it is born. A 

 weak lamb (and there are almost sure to be a few) is very slow in 

 getting to its feet; its bleat is feeble and it does not have much 

 desire for food. Often the teat has to be placed in its mouth and 

 some milk squeezed into its throat before its appetite is aroused. 

 Since it cannot stand while it nurses, the shepherd, if he is without 

 a helper, usually has to lay the ewe on her side in order to get the 

 lamb to the teat. But if it can be avoided it is better not to put 

 the ewe on her side, because the lamb will learn to help itself much 

 more quickly if she is left in normal position. 



A good fill of mother's milk generally works wonders for a weak 

 lamb. After it has had its feed it should be placed where it will 

 keep warm and can have an undisturbed sleep. In about two hours 

 after the feed is taken it is usually markedly improved in strength. 

 By the time three or four feeds have been taken the weak lamb, 

 possessing an appetite, is about able to get to the teat unassisted. 



The weak lamb, unwilling to feed, presents a more serious 

 problem. Usually such a lamb cannot be induced to suck, and 

 enforced feeding must be resorted to. If the shepherd squeezes 

 some of the ewe's milk into a small glass graduate, slips a swan 

 bill nipple over the end, places the nipple in the lamb's mouth and 

 pours the milk down its throat, the lamb will gain some strength and 

 perhaps will develop such a desire for food that subsequent feeding 

 will be easier. 



Occasionally lambs are so weak as to appear almost lifeless at 

 birth. A careful shepherd can often save such lambs by quick action. 

 Respiration can best be started by blowing into the lamb's mouth and 

 by gently beating it on the chest. After the breathing becomes 



