Abbey has become a special girl.
She was born with a lot of flash and she has the personality to match. Unfortunately, she spent too much time baaaaing and carrying on and not nursing like she should have. For some reason she couldn’t figure it out??? Now to be fair, her mom is a little different, she only has half an udder. She had a terrible thing happen to her by a shearer before she came to live here – you can read her whole story here. Abbey is determined to nurse on the side that doesn’t have anything to nurse on. I tried helping but Aimee wasn’t very cooperative. All of Aimee’s twins in the past have figured out sharing the one side, so I left them alone and hoped they would figure it out. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. Early the next morning I went out to check on everyone and little Abbey was screaming her head off and after an inspection of her tummy, I could tell that she still hadn’t nursed! I was very thankful that she was still vigorous and she quickly took the bottle I offered. The poor girl used up all of her fat reserves and I noticed her having a hard time maintaining her body temperature, so she got a jacket.
I’m not a big fan of bottle lambs…there really isn’t anything like mom, but it is nice that she still has a mom and sister to hang out with. She has moments of confusion though…
do I stay with them…
or do I come to you?
In the end the bottle wins 🙂
She is doing really well and doesn’t need her jacket anymore. I love seeing her kicking up her heels out in the pasture!
It is a far shot, but I am still hoping she may catch on from her sister and figure it out 😉 Until then, I will continue my late night and early morning feedings!
Stories from the Farm 
What a cutie. I am not a big fan of bottle lambs either, although the kids feel differently.
Glad she’s doing better! I still like bottle lambs because Annie is still entertained by them, but then I didn’t raise bottle lambs like you did either. 🙂
What kind of milk do you give her? How much do you feed her, does she stop sucking at the bottle when full or will she just empty what you give her?
I am enjoying her, but it is amazing to see the difference in growth between her and her sister. I am feeding her Advance Lamb Milk Replacer. She is getting 8 oz., 4 times a day. Most of the time she finishes all 8 oz., but there have been a few feedings that she slows down towards the end. I break up the meals in little spurts in between doing other chores. A little healthier than gulping 8 oz. in one setting. The biggest thing you have to watch is stomach upset. So far she is doing very good!
stop! i’m swooning with cuteness! my golly she’s a doll!
🙂
btw i see grass in that pix. not the icy frozen tundra…. *sighs heavily and looks out onto the ice planet, Hoth*
Oh how cute!!!
hey kenleigh! pop on by my place if you have a minute… i have a little something for you
🙂
Abbey looks like a sweet girl with a very nice spotting pattern. I hope she does ok for you. I’m not a fan of bottle feeding either, but sometimes you have no choice! It’s been a couple of years since we’ve had a bottle lamb. I almost hate to say that and jinx myself!
She is beyond words adorable. That little coat and her little face are heart melting. I have to say, I know momma feeding is by far the best but I so love to give them bottles. I guess it quenches that maternal instinct and makes me so happy. I am sure she will catch on quickly though.
Happy Saturday,
Amy