The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: shearling on April 07, 2011, 07:30:57 pm
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First ever lamb coming out or not! can see nose and toubue redish blue but no feet is this ok. not sure how long she has been pushing but not dilated for a head
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Using lots of luricant pop a couple of fingers in to check for feet as they might be tucked by head. If no feet them with even more lubricant and clean hands push the head back into the womb and when it is far far in feel for the feet. Pull one foot up and into position first then the other and making sure the head remains in the right position pull on the feet to get them into the vagina.
Make sure the head is following and then pull gently but firmly downwards.
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relief
First lamb! safe and sound, so far. Mum not very good at cleaning lamb up, poosibly newbie too or just worn out!
Thank you so much for being there for us, them
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! can see nose and toubue redish blue but no feet is this ok.
I can't help feeling that if you have ewes to lamb that this is something you should really know the answer to. There are lots of sources of information you could use.
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Well done, I've been sitting here with bated breath! :) I couldn't have done it! ::)
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! can see nose and toubue redish blue but no feet is this ok.
I can't help feeling that if you have ewes to lamb that this is something you should really know the answer to. There are lots of sources of information you could use.
Sometimes life takes many of us by surprise, has it never done that to you? Many people breed dogs without knowing the things that could go wrong - and I feel the same as you about them, but in these circumstances everything has been fine, so let's not be negative after the event, shall we?
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There is always something new to learn and I am so grateful for the information and advice on this site. Glad everything worked out okay shearling - well done!
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I can't help feeling that if you have ewes to lamb that this is something you should really know the answer to. There are lots of sources of information you could use
Yes but.. read the book, saw the film, got the T-shirt, read all the advice (some conflicting). However, first time. I went to birthing classes when I was pregnant, but they can only tell you so much, need to be there. FYI I read every book and website. I got the lambing kit, had a vet to check my kit and ewes, and what I might (or might not) need to do and how. Practiced in my sleep on not doing anything and doing everything. Trained the family. Sat and watched sheep - too busy working out what to do or not to sleep or count them! Now worried about a poor mum. Did not really need this. Thanks though to everyone else for understanding what it is like for a newbie, only trying to do the best. My main worry was going in too soon, and not letting nature take its course, as all the books, including the one you suggset say.
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Very glad you had a happy outcome.
It can be daunting asking a question if you think you ought to know the answer so well done for being brave and sensible and asking for reassurance.
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It takes time to be confident about what and when to do things. I still dither occassionally and I now have hundreds of the blighters! Other times you will do everything perfectly and still there will be problems.
Have you chatted up friendly local shepgherd? They are absolutely invaluable for your first few times and a wealth of knowledge and normally cheap as a bottle of brandy or gin!
You could consider a lambing course for extra confidence next year but a good outcome all the same.
We don't all know everything and it is better to ask and have help than to sit back and watch it all go horribly wrong! Welcome to the world of shepherding! :-)
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Once our ewes started to lamb all the reading and courses went straight out of my head. I was just really worried that something wouldn't be right.
Fortunately we are surrounded by experienced sheep neighbours who all said they would be happy to help.
In the event, all the ewes have lambed fine except for one who is still waddling around, eating her head off, sticking two hoofs up at us and NOT getting on with it!!! (although she does look a little preoccupied this morning)
Susanna
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I can't help feeling that if you have ewes to lamb that this is something you should really know the answer to. There are lots of sources of information you could use
Yes but.. read the book, saw the film, got the T-shirt, read all the advice (some conflicting). However, first time. I went to birthing classes when I was pregnant, but they can only tell you so much, need to be there. FYI I read every book and website. I got the lambing kit, had a vet to check my kit and ewes, and what I might (or might not) need to do and how. Practiced in my sleep on not doing anything and doing everything. Trained the family. Sat and watched sheep - too busy working out what to do or not to sleep or count them! Now worried about a poor mum. Did not really need this. Thanks though to everyone else for understanding what it is like for a newbie, only trying to do the best. My main worry was going in too soon, and not letting nature take its course, as all the books, including the one you suggset say.
That good then - I am glad that you did some background work on what to expect. You would be amazed at the number of people who don't. Glad that the ewe lambed OK.
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Shearling - the most important thing is to never to be afraid to ask. We had our first lambs today - I swear seeing a birth first hand raised more questions than we ever thought possible despite all the prep. It's great that this forum has many members that offer great advice. Quite a learning curve eh? Fishy.
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glad it all ended up well....my experience is that you think you have found the answer to a question only to then find that five more spring forth. Also, we we have all read the books....watched lambing live.....dreamed and practiced in our sleep, but it doesn't compare to four O'Clock in the morning in the half dark, without your specs, with a ewe who obviously hasn't read the same books as you....LOL... it all looks so different then doesn't it??? Even my local shepherding guru, who has seventy years experience, gets caught out, makes some errors of judgment, and has numerous surprises every year....we are in good company!
Anyone who thinks they never have wobbles of confidence, or doubts about what to do next, or, on reflection, had made mistakes, is in glorious delusional denial ;D ;D ;D
'thats all i have got to say about that' - to quote a great philosopher
Emma T
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I have to say some of our sheep take longer than 20 mins after the bag has broken, the first twin out yesterday took one of our sheep about 45 mins and the lamb was up and tottering within 2 mins so obviously not stressed. I'm lambing a shearling for the first time this year, do they not take a while.
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The bag was broken and all we had were teeth and tounge exposed to the air not a full head. We were worried about legs being back but also all the advice, seen read and heard to leave well alone, but also in a dry mud bowl -great choice of place to lamb! She let me get up and look under her tail without any problems which was also extremely unusual as they are hard to catch as the best of times to do anything with them. so her compliant and subseviant manner made me insecure. And what concerned me was as first timers all and her not dilaiting any wider after an hour. I resorted to the site for 'urgent, panic help'. BUT What was really great was the kindness of most of those either just a few pages ahead or with years of experience to reply or hold our hand. For this site and their generosity I am most appreciative. Maybe without it we would be in the same place but maybe not. In any case I sincerely thank everyone who helped us with this and no-doubt even more follow-up questions and thoughts.
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Well done you! I don't think it's any different to me being on the phone to my wife (who hasn't done a lambing course) and assisting her, as we had to do so on our fourth lambing. Admittedly, she had witnessed me do a full asssist on our second lamb, but she didn't really gain a massive amount from that expereince as she was 'the muscle' making sure the sheep didn't do one with me and half my arm still inside her!
This place is excellent for advice and support - for those of you who have offered their years of expertise, thank you. Shame on those who come back with the negative 'know it all' attitude.
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I agree Captain. You can see from my other thread -won't suckle he has been a bit of a steep learning curve. Glad to say though that following tube feed he remembered what to do again and now also in his dashing plastic mac (with jumper inside) in the fresh air today (going back inside tonight though
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Dear Friends - dont judge those who you think were maybe a bit harsh in their replies! :o
Sometimes what is written in a completely harmless way can come across as being negative when read by someone else!
If you go back and reread the question and then the reply it actually does make sense ( ;)).... a nose/head by itself is never, ever, a good presentation. It is not just a small detail which can be easily recitified, or left to sort itself out. As you know from your reading of sheepy books this always requires assistance....on refelction you probalby knew the answer. ???
However as a novice (thats me too) I know it is good to have the 'live' reassurance from friends on this site that you are not missreading signs from your sheep, or the info from the books!! .....that practical experience available here is far superior to any info from books and websites!
Keep asking the questions...and keep answering, too, folks!!!
Emma T
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Well said Pikalilly !!!!!
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mmmmm ! i re-read my own post ---- cor I do sound a bit pompous !! i am not really !!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Emma T
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Lots of research looking into how email - although very useful - degrades communication, as without cues such as body language/speech tone etc, things can comes across very differently from intended.
I try and remember that when I get emails that seem harsh on first reading.
Personally I think emoticons are very useful for trying to get across some element of the spirit in which a post is written.
Now - am I sounding pompous??? ;D
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So pleased all turned out well with your ewe and lamb.
The internet is brilliant ......but, I think things do not always come across in the way they were meant. The spoken word is so much easier to decipher, you can tell from the voice if the person is being helpful/critical/pompous whatever - the written word is completely different, and I am sure no one meant to upset you.
You did the sensible thing and asked for help - had you not, well you may have had a dead lamb. No question is too daft or simple, and the good thing about this forum is people are happy to help, or offer reassurance that what is happening is normal.
I have had goats for many years, and you can read as many books as you want, but there is always something happening that is not quite right, or not in the book - so, especially for beginners to smallholding, its good to have forums like this for them to ask that niggling question, especially when its an emergency!!
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Got me at it now :o! I meant I agree that this is a great forum to help and advice from ;D I would upload a picture of the little chap (complete with mac and pullover) but cannot seem to be able to. Could not get an avetar up either :'( He has just settled into a bed of daffodils
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Shearling, your photos and avatar need to be downsized - your software should do it - if you have MS office Picture manager it's easy - just open the photo and click on edit photos then compress for documents - that gives a good size to see and is Ok for on here, save it with a different name if you want to keep the original size. the avatar has to be saved tiny - to email size.
When you open a reply on here down underneath the text box you see additional options, click on that and then click on choose to find your photos. Then click more attachments to add more photos, then click post
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its easy to give advice to others but when its your animal, and ur adrenaline is up and ur worried, its easy to panic and want to seek reassurance.
this forum is great cos the replies are so quick and handy :wave: :wave:
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Here he is, hiding in the daffodils. Many thanks to everyone who helped come into the world safely.
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And with a watchful mum. He snuck in there by himself, but today is being more frisky and hopping and jumping about.
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What an adorable photo. It reminds me of the ones on lovely calenders
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What an adorable photo. It reminds me of the ones on lovely calenders
Yes, it does, and we do have a photo competition on at teh moment - don't we? Are you all remembering?
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a lovely outcome and well done for asking, the lamb was well worth it, and the mum looks good too. :) :sheep:
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Oooooh I need to adopt that lamb :love: :love: :love: :love: great photo!
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He is totally gorgeous :love: What a happy outcome - well done ewe and you :)
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super picture. So pleased it all turned well.
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ooooh he is so sweet! ;D ;D ;D ;D
so pleased he is now thriving1
Emma T