Author Topic: Pregnant ewe - one lamb, no afterbirth (Read 2786 times)

Sarahjane610 · « **on:** January 09, 2017, 08:28:30 pm »

Hi all-hoping for some of your excellent advice!

Newbie lamber here and one of my ewes had a little girl about an hour ago. Found her and lamb in field on evening round. Annoyingly she had been stabled until yesterday but she hadn't bagged up and she was so late I assumed she wasnt pregnant. Anyway, I couldn't see any evidence of afterbirth in the field or on her and I moved her plus lamb into the stable and she hasn't passed anything since. She's eating - now lying down and lamb has nursed. Presuming after an hour there is no twin but could she have retained all afterbirth and look completely herself? Advice please!

larrylamb · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2017, 09:15:14 pm »

Hi was there any blood or mess at the rear of the ewe if not has she pinched a lamb from another sheep ??

Sarahjane610 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2017, 09:18:22 pm »

I didn't see any mess or blood but she can't have taken another ewe's lamb as I only had three ewes in lamb and the only other one that might still be pregnant looks like her usual self! Just very confusing. There has been heavy rain here but I can't believe it would have washed all the evidence away so fast!?

Anke · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2017, 09:32:44 pm »

But she has bagged up now and is feeding the lamb?

There should be some "mess" at her rear end though.... does she have hollow sides? Normally a ewe just after lambing should look really sunken in.

Bionic · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2017, 09:59:52 pm »

She could also have eaten the afterbirth

Sarahjane610 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2017, 10:30:02 pm »

I have absolutely no idea what's gone in but both she and little one are doing well so I guess I'll wait and see?!

Penninehillbilly · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2017, 10:45:59 pm »

When mine lambed I think they moved away from the after birth fairly quickly, lamb was still wet, but had lambed about 30m down the field. Maybe instinct tells them to move because of predators?

Fleecewife · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2017, 11:40:53 pm »

Or there could be another lamb even so late after the first.

Or a fox or dog could have taken the afterbirth.

If you think she has retained the afterbirth then she needs a dose of long acting antibiotic, to keep her covered until it is passed.

shep53 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2017, 12:40:25 pm »

Relax , a live lamb suckling , perfect

jward · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2017, 03:48:45 pm »

I lambed 30 last year and never really saw anything that you could call afterbirth - just some blood and wet stuff that the ewes licked straight up while licking the lambs. There was certainly nothing like the big clumpy stuff I get with the pigs (that again clean straight up). I wouldn't worry about it.