Dead lamb...

arctictree

Found this lad taking his last breaths in the field yesterday evening. About 3 weeks old. Stomach was hanging out. I have a feeling the crows got to him when he was lying down and got picking at his navel? What ye think?

razor8

check the ewe for mastitis, his belly looks empty but hard to tell from picture

arctictree

He has a twin who seems to be fine. He was still alive when I found him so I'm thinking it was some sort of attack. Little bits of wool around him too.

Birdnuts

arctictree wrote: »

He has a twin who seems to be fine. He was still alive when I found him so I'm thinking it was some sort of attack. Little bits of wool around him too.

I often find one twin dominates the other and thrives better, especially if the ewe has milk issues. He does look thin enough and maybe was already in trouble when the crows found him. I find most crow damage occurs in such circumstances as they are smart enough to go for the easy target ie sickly/weak lambs

razor8

I would also think he was already lying before the attack

ganmo

I was watching 3 kites on Sunday circling the field that ewes are going to lambing in next week...what deterrents are open to me?

Birdnuts

ganmo wrote: »

I was watching 3 kites on Sunday circling the field that ewes are going to lambing in next week...what deterrents are open to me?

Kites are not a threat to lambs. They are all wings and tail and only weigh about 2 pounds with rabbits being the largest potential prey item. In any case they are mainly scavengers and would only drop in if there are carcasses or still birth left lying around.

Green farmer

ganmo wrote: »

I was watching 3 kites on Sunday circling the field that ewes are going to lambing in next week...what deterrents are open to me?

Sounds crazy,
But I often thought about buying a cheap shop mannequin and moving it around the field to make it look like a human is about. Wonder would it deter crows / magpies or any other birds of prey ? (crows driving me mad here )

Birdnuts

Green farmer wrote: »

Sounds crazy,
But I often thought about buying a cheap shop mannequin and moving it around the field to make it look like a human is about. Wonder would it deter crows / magpies or any other birds of prey ? (crows driving me mad here )

Actually a cut-out or plastic hawk, large owl etc. can be very effective at deterring the likes of magpies and hooded crows who are responsible for most problems at lambing time. You can re-inforce this effect by shooting some(crows) and hanging their carcasses from prominent places. Crows being smart birds will quickly learn hanging around such places is not in their best interests;).

Username John

Birdnuts wrote: »

Actually a cut-out or plastic hawk, large owl etc. can be very effective at deterring the likes of magpies and hooded crows who are responsible for most problems at lambing time. You can re-inforce this effect by shooting some(crows) and hanging their carcasses from prominent places. Crows being smart birds will quickly learn hanging around such places is not in their best interests;).

Fcukin grey crows - hate the bastards...

Was told once :
Hang up a crow to keep other crows away
But pull off and scatter around the feathers from a pigeon - to keep pigeons away...

Anyone ever heard this?

Greenfarmer - what you're suggesting is a scarecrow, you're not *that*mad...