[in the hills]

Okay, probably another silly question but I have been wondering how common it is for lambs to be born still in their bags? Would you expect this to be a common occurence?

[Herdygirl]

No it's not a common occurence and only if the ewe isn't clearing it should you interfere.  But to be honest i can't bear to wait and usually go in and clear it off the face and make sure the lamb is breathing.  Shearling ewes are often surprised at what they have had and stand back

[in the hills]

Thanks for your reply Herdygirl.

Only have 7 shearling ewes. Our first lamb was found dead in the field and was still in the bag. It looked like mum had attempted to clean it off but my neighbour said that she might not have done it soon enough or even until it had already died. One of our ewes had twins a couple of days ago and the second twin was also delivered with the bag intact. She was so engrossed with the first twin who was very vigorous that she gave birth standing up and ignored the little package. Didnt give it very long, I must admit, and once we had broken the bag she seemed to realise that it was in fact another lamb and took over.

Did read somewhere on the net that there could be a link to a diet too rich in protein and lambs being born still in the bag hence my question. Too much coarse mix?  Or just one of those things? 

[Moleskins]

One of mine had triplets all came out in the bag, ewe was about condition score 2.5 3 so not
over fat. But does make me wonder about feed because they've been having some each day
over the Winter.

[in the hills]

Mmmmmm ...... havent seen enough born to know how common this is.

I did take advice about feeding but I wonder after reading some of the threads on here whether I have given too much.  Mine did go into lamb certainly in good condition so maybe I should have given less. I cant condition score them. Going to have to ask for advice on how to do this.

[VSS]

It is one on the commonest reasons for loosing a lamb and is more likely to happen with ewes carrying multiples as the lambs are generally smaller so more likelihood of the lambs being delivered without the bag breaking.

The second on twins in most likely to be lost this way as the ewe is taken up with the first lamb, and by the tim she deliers the second, the first lamb is wandering off. She drops the second lamb and then jumps up to run after the first lamb, leaving the second one in the bag. The only way you will prevent these losses is by being there. You can't really blame the ewe in these cases - it is only because she is so intent on her firstborn.

We lost one lamb like this last year - she was one of the last ewes to lamb and we weren't there. Thankfully this year out of 170 ewes we have lost none to this, but there were about 5 we would have lost had we not been watching them.

[in the hills]

Thank you for that VSS.

Looking at the size of the live singles, it is possible that the dead lamb was born a little early though it was within the possible time for arrival and the ewe did have milk. Felt guilty that I did not spot that she was in labour so was not there to help. Yes, the ewe with twins is a good mum and she was just engrossed with a very lively, demanding lamb. Not sure she realised that the lifeless bag was even a lamb! Can see how easy it would be to lose these.

So maybe no link to too much feed.