The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: vfr400boy on April 06, 2023, 09:20:43 pm

Title: 2 weeks early,,
Post by: vfr400boy on April 06, 2023, 09:20:43 pm
So the ewe that was tupped last has given birth first witch is a surprise shes 2 weeks early and has 2 strong ewe lambs , is it normal to go 2 weeks early?
Title: Re: 2 weeks early,,
Post by: twizzel on April 06, 2023, 09:26:36 pm
No, 7 days early is borderline for survival, so 14 days would be too premature. I expect she was tupped 17 days before your date, which makes her 3 days early which is more plausible.
Title: Re: 2 weeks early,,
Post by: vfr400boy on April 06, 2023, 09:39:51 pm
We did wonder if she was court and not marked,  but all rest got good marks , it's a mystery,  but they look well , I will check them fist thing in the morning
Title: Re: 2 weeks early,,
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 07, 2023, 10:49:35 pm
Anecdotally, I am hearing of surprisingly early lambs this year from several different quarters.  Like, tup wasn't out early.  So far, all early lambs fine, but I don't think I've heard of any being more than a week early. 
Title: Re: 2 weeks early,,
Post by: vfr400boy on April 10, 2023, 09:58:46 am
Iv not a clue what's happened she was definitely marked green and we put the green on 18 days after the yellow? He went in on bonfire night,  anyway both lambs are doing grate
Title: Re: 2 weeks early,,
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 10, 2023, 12:30:01 pm
Iv not a clue what's happened she was definitely marked green and we put the green on 18 days after the yellow? He went in on bonfire night,  anyway both lambs are doing grate

Bonfire night would give 1st April by my reckoning.  (21 weeks, or add 5 months deduct 4 days.)   So she wasn't 2 weeks early, she was 5 days late! 
Title: Re: 2 weeks early,,
Post by: vfr400boy on April 10, 2023, 04:36:14 pm
But she was marked 18 days after the 5th the day we put the green marker on
Title: Re: 2 weeks early,,
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 11, 2023, 08:56:02 pm
But she was marked 18 days after the 5th the day we put the green marker on

Ah, I've got you now. 

I have definitely had ewes stand for the tup a second time and then lamb to the first date...  Are you sure she wasn't got first cycle, and the green was just diligent tup making sure?  ;)
Title: Re: 2 weeks early,,
Post by: vfr400boy on April 12, 2023, 08:11:43 pm
But she was marked 18 days after the 5th the day we put the green marker on

Ah, I've got you now. 

I have definitely had ewes stand for the tup a second time and then lamb to the first date...  Are you sure she wasn't got first cycle, and the green was just diligent tup making sure?  ;)
am un sure she did not get any yellow on her at all ? But did get a good green bum its a mystery!
   Just had a massive single ewe lamb born shes up and sucking
Title: Re: 2 weeks early,,
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 12, 2023, 09:06:50 pm
Absence of raddle paint doesn't necessarily equate to absence of mating activity, especially if it's after the first day or three (although I think you're saying she was day 2 of the cycle), or maybe a first-time tup who didn't know to pace himself and used up all his raddle on the first ewe...  ;)