Emaciated and injured lamb on the Curragh

Bonedigger

Just looking for advice.
I was out walking my dog in the Curragh this evening and heard the bleating of a lamb which sounded like it was in obvious distress.I eventually found it down a concrete drain,trapped between a metal railing and the wall of the drain.I eventually got it out,but to be honest it looked like it was in a poor way.It was completely emaciated - skin and bone - and was unable to stand.I'm guessing it must have been there for several days!Fortunately the ewe was still standing close by,so I brought it over to her and the lamb tried to get to its feet to suckle,but struggled to do so.I stood it up beside the ewe and backed off and thankfully it started to suckle.It was unable to stand on one of its rear legs and I'm guessing it had put its hip out,but I'm not sure?I left shortly afterwards.Is there anything else I could have done?There was no way of contacting the farmer because I've absolutely no idea who owns these animals.I think I might pop back down there tomorrow - if I do and it's still there,is there anything more I can do for it?
Thanks.

Luke92

I know a lad who lives on the curragh and the farmer Ned is his landlord. Any markings on the sheep? And a good location.

I'll contact my friend who'll let Ned know.

Bonedigger

Luke92 wrote: »

I know a lad who lives on the curragh and the farmer Ned is his landlord. Any markings on the sheep? And a good location.

I'll contact my friend who'll let Ned know.

Hi Luke,
Thanks for the reply.
I didn't notice any markings on the ewe or lamb,but it is on the old firing ranges on the Curragh.If you want to PM me,I can give you my number and we can take it from there?

Just PM'd you Luke.

greysides

Well done you two.

Luke92

Bonedigger wrote: »

Hi Luke,
Thanks for the reply.
I didn't notice any markings on the ewe or lamb,but it is on the old firing ranges on the Curragh.If you want to PM me,I can give you my number and we can take it from there?

Just PM'd you Luke.

Just rang my friend and he is in Dublin at the moment. Is it the race course side or the barracks side of the curragh?

Bonedigger

Luke92 wrote: »

Just rang my friend and he is in Dublin at the moment. Is it the race course side or the barracks side of the curragh?

On the barracks side.Drive through the Curragh camp and head out onto the Brownstown road - the old firing ranges are on the lefthand side about 500m outside the camp.

Green farmer

It's best chance of surviving is with its mother. Good to hear it was drinking. It Must have been a good ewe to hang around for that length of time .

Bonedigger

Green farmer wrote: »

It's best chance of surviving is with its mother. Good to hear it was drinking. It Must have been a good ewe to hang around for that length of time .

Yeah,it went straight in to suckle which I thought was a good sign.I'm amazed the ewe was still there too!
The only thing I would have concern about is the foxes - it clearly can't move about that well.

Green farmer

If it was a single lamb, the ewe would be well able to protect it from foxes

Bonedigger

I was out taking photos on the Curragh tonight prior to finding the injured lamb.The photo below was taken minutes before finding it and only about 300-400 metres away,so the mother of this injured lamb may have had the same markings,but I'm not sure?The ewe pictured below has orangey-red coloured markings with the initials 'JM' on it.A long shot I know,but if anyone knows who 'JM' is,just let me know.Thanks.

Bonedigger

I took a trip back out to the Curragh this morning to see how the lamb was getting on,and the good news is it's still alive.It was about 300 metres away from where I left it last night,so it certainly got up and about afterwards.I met a sheep farmer on the Curragh on my way out there and he believed those sheep may belong to his cousin,so he said he'd contact him and get him to come down.I waited for about three-quarters of an hour and there was no sign of him,so I decided to leave.The lamb got to its feet just before I left,but one of its rear legs doesn't look the best and it was finding it difficult to get about.
I can do no more I'm afraid and hope the little fella eventually comes round.
By the way,I think the sheep farmer's name is J. C,<mod snip>,so if anyone knows him you can let me know.I just want to thank Luke92 for all his help last night - fair play!








For privacy reasons I've removed the name. If anyone living in the area needs to know it I suggest PMing Bonedigger.

Bonedigger

Apologies for naming the farmer in my post above!:o

Kovu

Bonedigger wrote: »

Apologies for naming the farmer in my post above!:o

You're grand, just out of respect for him Many people just wouldn't like to see their name online, even if it was with good intentions.

Willfarman

Well done you. The lamb has more than a fighting chance now. His leg will more than likely come right.

Bonedigger

I was out and about on the Curragh this evening and was delighted to see this little fella again:



It definitely has put on some weight since last week and is moving about more freely,but there's something still not right with one of its rear legs.I'm sure it will come right in time.