The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: pikilily on March 14, 2011, 04:56:42 pm

Title: An udder question
Post by: pikilily on March 14, 2011, 04:56:42 pm

Hi guys,

One of my Suffolk cross ewes, expecting twins and due at the end of march, has the most enormous udder. Is sort of the size expected of a ewe due to lamb any day.....yet her sister due at the same time has no visable udder at all. She is due to have a single lamb so i asume that is why she is lacking in the mammary department.

Is the udder size an indication that twin-lamb ewe may go early??? this is her second crop of lambs btw.
Emma T

Title: Re: An udder question
Post by: Fleecewife on March 14, 2011, 05:14:02 pm

I've not found it to be much indication - in fact sometimes the ewe with the biggest udder which you are positive has to lamb at any moment or she will burst, will hang on and hang on and be last to drop  ::)  It will be interesting to see what others have found - and to hear when your ewe does lamb  :sheep:

Title: Re: An udder question
Post by: darkbrowneggs on March 14, 2011, 05:37:39 pm

Hi there - just check it is not hot and hard - dont want mastitis setting in ;)

Title: Re: An udder question
Post by: Madcow on March 14, 2011, 06:05:29 pm

probably just like us women, so develop hugely when pregnant, others dont ! also I've found with time they are just droppy and fill up at the slightest sign of pregnancy, the ewes that is, in case you were wondering !! ;D I've had 4 boys, the last were twins so no more sagging and drooping for me ::) ;D

Title: Re: An udder question
Post by: pikilily on March 14, 2011, 06:29:53 pm

no  heat etc nice and soft but full!!  and not droopy at all Madcow  :D :D :D
Emma T

Title: Re: An udder question
Post by: Elissian on March 14, 2011, 06:53:47 pm

I have an 8 year old ewe, every year she bags up a month before her due date. we call her lardy as she always looks like she's eaten all the pies! She looks the same regardless of whether she has a single or twins tho you'd think she was carrying quads. Her udder is by far the biggest in the flock and her sisters udder is average size. It is facinating observing their individual traits.
   Helen

Title: Re: An udder question
Post by: shep53 on March 14, 2011, 07:56:37 pm

Ewes vary some bag up wks before some days

Title: Re: An udder question
Post by: Hermit on March 14, 2011, 07:59:30 pm

I agree with Dark browneggs ..watch for mastitis

Title: Re: An udder question
Post by: ellisr on March 15, 2011, 12:30:17 pm

We have a ewe I call bug and she has the biggest milk bag I have ever seen and it seems to appear a few weeks before the lambs do so she gives us a bit of an indication but it is hit and miss with the others

Title: Re: An udder question
Post by: princesspiggy on March 15, 2011, 05:38:36 pm

Quote from: Madcow on March 14, 2011, 06:05:29 pm

probably just like us women, so develop hugely when pregnant, others dont ! also I've found with time they are just droppy and fill up at the slightest sign of pregnancy, the ewes that is, in case you were wondering !! ;D

;D :D ;D :D ;D
my old wensleydale had massive udders, for days before she dropped.

Title: Re: An udder question
Post by: pikilily on March 16, 2011, 10:06:43 am

Isnt it funny how they are all so different, variety and the spice.....Hey, maybe thats what i could call them!
cheers
Emma T