I finally decided to get started with sheep. I bought 2 lambs. We have lots of pasture, but it is all fenced for cattle. I hope to start replacing fence this year, but in the mean time-since I only have 2 I thought that I would try to tie them out. I am home all the time, or would never tie them when I am not. I have them in a small paddock of cattle panels at night. I am working them up to the grass, I started with one hour, two hours, then yesterday I put them out for 5 hours and when I checked on them one didnt want to get up. I took her back in and she just layed down. She was belching and chewing her cud. I wondered if she had indigestion. I hesitate to say bloat. She did get up when I gave them some more grain and hay. i had also gave them hay before putting them out on the grass and it wasnt wet. After about an hour she seemed fine and was up and around. The other thing I should mention is that it was about 70 degrees and they didnt have shade. I didnt think that it was too hot, am I wrong- they have been sheared. They did have water. I am just wondering if they need to be in the shade, or maybe she wasnt used to the grass even though I have been starting them on it slowly. Any suggestions are helpful. Thanks.

-- Tami Bowser (windridg@chorus.net), April 28, 2000

Answers

Are you tying your lambs inside a secure area where dogs can't get at them? Several years ago my in-laws decided they wanted a couple of lambs to keep the lawn mowed. They tied them in the yard, and it wasn't long before the neighborhood dogs found and killed them. I would say it might have been too much grass, too soon, as regards your lambs problem -- it shouldn't have been too hot, as long as they had access to clean water. I think they are as picky about their water as goats, so you'll have to make sure it is absolutely clean or they won't drink it.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), April 28, 2000.

First make sure tyed are safe from predators. I have never tyed sheep but I have tyed many goats. I like to tye them to something they can drag, you could start out with a cement block and move up to something heavier as they grow. I use an old spare tire it is heavy enough that they cannot drag it away very fast. Never tye them out if you are not going to be around to keep an eye on them many a goat has hung itself when it tries to climb on something when tyed out. When you se the getting close to something that they may be in danger just go and drag the tire to a safer area also works good when they are getting close to your garden.

-- Mark (deadgoatman@webtv.net), April 28, 2000.

How fast did the weather get to 70? Sheep are about as differant as people, I think, but mine don't like to have the heat come on to fast (50 one day, 70 the next. I've even seen my lambs sort of panting.), they like and need some shade, mine don't even like a wind!( they hold their noses close to the ground or behind the water trough!! In N.D. no less!) Mine will also eat pretty steady in the a.m. then lay around like veggies, chewing thier cudd in the midday, then back out in the late afternoon till dark.Keep a close watch for bloat or the runs and keep water at hand for them. GOOD LUCK!! Sheep are great!!! A lot of personality(s)!

-- Novina West (lamb@stellarnet.com), April 29, 2000.