I just posted this link to my HFSheep group and it's such an important one that I thought I'd post it here as well.

This is the time of year when kids and lambs are born and everyone who raises goats or sheep will sooner or later have to deal with a weak newborn that can't or won't nurse its mom or a bottle. When that happens it's far better to tube feed the baby than to syringe milk into its mouth; syringing often causes baby to aspirate fluid into its lungs and that in turn leads to pneumonia and very possibly, death.

Tubing sounds scary but done right it's fast, easy, and very effective. The best instructions I've found, anywhere, are free for the downloading at this link: http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1998/eb1998.pdf

If you have or plan to get sheep or goats, by all means print this out, buy the inexpensive equipment described in this article (it costs a few dollars, tops), and stow the printout and equipment in a zip-lock bag in your first-aid or lambing/kidding kit. You will be so glad to have it when you need it and trust me, sooner or later you will.

Sue 

Tiny, little, fragile newborns have to get their nutrients ....

After you download your reading material, check out a visual demonstration. View one of our newest videos from HF vet consultant and columnist Dianne Hellwig: http://www.hobbyfarms.com/hobby-farms-videos/tube-feeding-goat-kid.aspx

~ HF editors

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That is a terrific resource! I was so nervous the first few times I tubed a lamb. I wish I'd seen this video back then.

Just keep it mind that it sounds scary but if you're careful, it's a very easy process. And it's essential knowledge for anyone who raises small ruminants--tube feeding weak lambs and kids often means the difference between life and death.

I might add for those of you new to sheep or goats that if you have a baby that needs intense, supportive treatment, don't give up! These little creatures are amazingly resilient and if you can keep them going until their survival systems kick in, they're almost always 100% normal but they do need your help to survive.

Sue