We had several moms reject one of their lambs this year. Frequently there is a reason we can identify for why they reject one like:
The first lamb born wonders away while mom is delivering others interrupting the bonding process. Mom and some of her lambs move away from one that is sleeping hard separating it from mom interrupting the bonding process. You get the idea. These moms typically accept the rejected lamb after a day or two in a pen with us holding her while the rejected lamb nurses. When we can identify a cause for the rejection and better still the mom eventually accepts the rejected lamb; these moms do not get a strike against them.
The two bad moms in pens right now were never separated from the lamb they are rejecting and they continue to reject the lamb after several days in the pen. They continue to head butt the lambs; sometimes slamming the lamb against the sides of the pen (ewes push away lambs that are not theirs in order to save their milk for their one lambs). We had to use a head halter in order to hold these ewes so their lamb could nurse. Both had to be chained to the wall initially because we couldnโt hold them still by hanging onto the halter. These moms will leave our flock later this year.
Mark & Renee
Working Border Collies: Nell (retired), Tally (retired), Grant (semi retired), Lee, Fern & Hattie
Duke & Penny (Anatolians) home guarding the flock
2001 Chevy Express 2500 Cargo (rolling kennel)
2007 Nash 22M