In Case You Were Wondering...Looks Like She'll Make it

Sheila, the affectionate sheep

Sheila is out of her solitary confinement now, mostly.  I knew that she was feeling better when I heard all sorts of sounds coming out of the barn. (By the way, our barn is really a converted shed as you can see from the photo.  But, it works as a barn for me!) This friendly sheep has a very raspy, breathy baa.  Also, there was the sound of hooves knocking on wood as she tried to climb her way out of the jug.   From the sounds, movement, and her appetite, I decided to move her  out of the barn, not reintroduced her back into the flock  just yet. Next to the barn pen, there is a small fenced off area with a lean-to and some grass.  So, Sheila is next to the flock, and can see her lambs.  But until her udder heals up a bit more from the mastitis, I think it is a good idea to keep her separate a bit longer.  

The ram and ewe  that are her lambs sometimes hang out next to her on the other side of the fence.  I am still bottle feeding those lambs twice a day, to make sure they don't loose too much weight from being weaned so early.  The ram lamb is getting a bit aggressive about it.  While I am trying to feed his sister, he nibbles at my clothes or nudges the bottle.  When I walk into the pen, he smells me to see if I brought any liquid sustenance for him. So, I have to feed him first.  He really sucks it down.  Sister is still not convinced that she wants this milk that isn't mom, and like to chew on the black rubber nipple with her tiny sharp teeth.  She does get some of it down her if brother leaves her any.

Even though Sheila gets plenty to eat, all day we hear her soft baaa!  Let me out!!! Her lambs will often answer back.  Other times, they are fine grazing in the front pasture. Not sure what would happen to her relationship with the lambs when I do reintroduce her back into the flock.  Better make sure she isn't contagious first, because I don't want to jeopardize the other ewes and lambs.  So, right now, Sheila stays where she is.  Alive and doing better on The Derby Farm.