Mums and Babies

We recently rescued eight Shetland ewes who were in urgent need of rehoming. Their previous owner had neglected them for months, leaving them to fend for themselves as his interest waned.

When they arrived, they were frightened, emaciated, and scruffy. Our vet’s examination revealed they were severely malnourished, with a body condition score of just 1 out of 5. This score means their spinous processes were distinctly palpable, indicating a lack of fat and minimal muscle covering.

The ewes had been running with a ram, whom we also took in, so all were scanned and found to be heavily in lamb. Given their dire state, we started them on a high-protein diet and provided the finest hay.

Miraculously, they have all lambed successfully, and it’s astounding how healthy their lambs are despite the ewes’ previous hardships. The ewes are now steadily gaining weight and are on track for long, healthy lives with their offspring, who will remain with them forever.