The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Madcow on March 01, 2011, 08:59:07 pm

Title: all finished
Post by: Madcow on March 01, 2011, 08:59:07 pm

all our ewes have now produced, 3 today, although it didnt end on a good note, the last and oldest had a lovely bouncy girl and then an hour later a dead boy, he was born backwards and I had to assist, she fussed the girl so much and didn't lie down to push, and only gave half hearted pushes standing up, eventually I had a feel and found 2 back legs so on next push I pulled, but it was too late  :'(
Do you think she knew he was dead ?, she is normally such an attentive mum and has always had very good easy births
So 9 lambs out of 5 ewes is I suppose a good result, but it sure dosen't feel like it tonight :(

Title: Re: all finished
Post by: Cinderhills on March 01, 2011, 09:01:49 pm

I can imagine how hard that must have been.  Other than that, fantastic results.  :wave:

Title: Re: all finished
Post by: andywalt on March 01, 2011, 09:03:57 pm

ahhh you did your best, it may have been dead for a while, thats nature for you there could be many reasons, youve done well overall an hour is not long after the first so you cant blame yourself.

Title: Re: all finished
Post by: Rosemary on March 02, 2011, 09:54:38 am

Great results! I woudl be well pleased with that.

Title: Re: all finished
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 02, 2011, 10:06:43 am

What a shame that the last lamb was dead.  Other than that it sounds like a very good lambing.  We're just starting - with a large flock it seems that most of the problems come at the front end.  Yesterday a good ewe had 3 dead triplets - nothing apparently wrong with them, just dead.  It doesn't matter how many times you see it, it still saddens you.

Yes I do think your ewe knew the second lamb was already dead - they can feel the lamb moving around and engaging in the passage, and it is much harder for them to push out a dead lamb than a live one as the life in the little body seems to help the process along.

Today has started better for us - a new single, I'm just off to check that he's fed ok and decide whether to put a wee plastic jacket on him.  It's a sunny but very cold day, so I'll probably not.

Cheers
Sally

Title: Re: all finished
Post by: VSS on March 02, 2011, 10:47:58 am

Also, you don't say if the back legs were tucked under the body ie tail first presentation. This particular malpresentation is well known for not producing good pushing from the ewe.

Did the lamb just not get going or had it been dead a while?

Title: Re: all finished
Post by: Madcow on March 02, 2011, 10:52:48 am

thanks for all the good wishes, things are looking better today, very cold wind but some sunshine, so ram and two of the mums romping around the big field, the triplets in fleece jackets ! :D  still trying to get some pics on here, will get hubby to sort out later

Title: Re: all finished
Post by: OhLaLa on March 02, 2011, 10:55:18 am

I'd be very interested to see the little fleece jackets. More info and pics about them please.
Best wishes.
 :sheep:

Title: Re: all finished
Post by: Madcow on March 02, 2011, 11:01:16 am

sorry VVS our posts crossed yep one back leg was tucked up, and I think he may have been dead already as there was no sign of life right from the start  :'(
the fleece jackets are home-made, rather like little dog coats with ties that wrap underneath and tie on top,will post pics soon

Title: Re: all finished
Post by: Tilly on March 02, 2011, 08:10:17 pm

Hi Madcow
congratulations on finishing lambing -- it`s sad when you loose a lamb but It sounds like you have had a good crop.

The fleece jackets sound very posh! ;D --- love to see some photo`s.

Tilly :wave: