Lend me your ears

[leej]

New born twin lambs this morning. One has had both ears removed, the other has had one removed the other is in tact.
This is a message I've received this morning from one of my land owners. Following a conversation on the phone apparently the wounds are 'ragged' and there's no sign of any other injuries to either lamb, or any others in the herd.
I haven't seen them yet, or any photos. I'm dumbfounded at the moment.
Has anybody actually experienced anything similar to this, or know what's done it?

ATB
Lee

 

[Penyard]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was a raven but they normally go for eyes? What part of the country out of interest?

 

[Fez]

This is interesting. I’m following this thread to find out people’s opinions on this thanks

 

[Smellydog]

Small vixen tried dragging them away.

 

[Cheviot]

DOG

 

[Foxyboy43]

Brock.

 

[BenBhoy]

New born twin lambs this morning

Outside or indoors? First time ewe?

 

[VSS]

The fact that both lambs of the same pair of live twins have been affected, and the wound is ragged, and there's no other wounds, and no history of other lambs in the flock being injured, indicates that the overzealous ewe has chewed off the ears while cleaning her newborn lambs.
(Anyone who's been around sheep for a long time will have seen this at some point).

Raven is also a good possibility, but I think unlikely in this case, otherwise there'd be a history of other lambs affected, and probably more wounds including eyes and tongue.

If the lambs were already dead, and had ears missing, and it was a clean edged wound, then it would be fox.

 

[TringSaint]

The fact that both lambs of the same pair of live twins have been affected, and the wound is ragged, and there's no other wounds, and no history of other lambs in the flock being injured, indicates that the overzealous ewe has chewed off the ears while cleaning her newborn lambs.
(Anyone who's been around sheep for a long time will have seen this at some point).

Raven is also a good possibility, but I think unlikely in this case, otherwise there'd be a history of other lambs affected, and probably more wounds including eyes and tongue.

If the lambs were already dead, and had ears missing, and it was a clean edged wound, then it would be fox.

I would agree with the overzealous ewe cleaning her lambs - I have seen one pretty much disembowel a lamb by nibbling at its umbilical cord.

 

[VSS]

I would agree with the overzealous ewe cleaning her lambs - I have seen one pretty much disembowel a lamb by nibbling at its umbilical cord.

I have had them completely disemboweled like that. Just an empty lamb remaining. Ewe ate the rest. It's not particularly uncommon. Often get tails bitten off too.

 

[BenBhoy]

indicates that the overzealous ewe has chewed off the ears while cleaning her newborn lambs

That's exactly what I was thinking when I asked

Outside or indoors? First time ewe?

 

[Nickb]

I would say its a fox. I've seen it before where they just chew off the ears or tail.
Once shot a tiny vixen that was doing it killing over 30 lambs in a fortnight.
She would just kill them and leave them minus the ears or tail.

When I eventually caught up with her she was actually chasing a lamb in the field.

 

[VSS]

That's exactly what I was thinking when I asked

I thought you were being a bit cautious before committing yourself, so I nipped in quick with the answer before you had a chance

 

[Foxyboy43]

Outside or indoors? First time ewe?

Gawd! First we had a were-rabbit now a were-ewe!
Dangerous ol’ place the countryside….

 

[Nickb]

Gawd! First we had a were-rabbit now a were-ewe!
Dangerous ol’ place the countryside….

Yep who knows what's lurking out there.

 

[finnbear270]

Brock.

^