[Pebbles]

We've reared sheep on our smallholding for the last five years and something different has happened this year...

Sheep have all lambed without assistance, without any deaths or orphan lambs, no joint ill and no orf and all within a two week period. We're stunned but extremely happy....except for one thing....

A pet ewe called Abby (3 years old - second time lambing) who despite being the size of a bus and most certainly having twins is showing no signs of lambing any time soon. All of the other lambs were born 2-4 weeks ago and it feels like lambing is over until next year....except for Abby!?!

How long should we wait before really starting to worry? Has anyone experienced something similar? Is there something obvious we could be missing?

She appears totally healthy and apart from being a bit 'panty' on hot days she shows no sign of illness or discomfort. Any advice would be most welcome.

Gillian

[colliewoman]

I would only worry if she's gone past the very last possible due date by ages. When did you take the ram out?

[PDO_Lamb]

If it's nearly 153 days since the tup was running with the ewe, maybe its time for a close examination.

[Rosemary]

I've found that ewes expecting twins go a couple of days past their due date (if you take 147 days as the length of pregnancy).

Since you'll know when you took the ram out, you will know the last possible date for lambing - if she's much past this, I think I'd be getting the vet to have a look.

[shep53]

RELAX nature will take its own time. As said by others when did the ram come away or his he still with them. I had my first lamb april first and the last maybe may 30th rams out jan 7th

[toaster]

we are in the same boat, three ewes lambed, three healthy lambs plus three orphan lambs all playing happily together with contented mums lounging around...

...then we have dear little Fly, shuffling around very rotund, looking fit to burst but showing no inclination to part with her cargo!

I'm not worried yet, I guess sheep cant have phamtom pregnancies can they?

[Pebbles]

There lies my problem...when we put the rams in, we leave them in    so, unlike my pigs, I have no "last possible" date to lamb/ farrow. I've hear of phantom pregnancies in sheep and also re-absorbtiion of feotuses (I would imagine that would happen pretty early on though). She would have to be bursting a gut to keep this "fat" act up 24/7 - she's huge!!! <<< >>>

[tizaala]

Don't worry, if she's huge she's having them, our last one was three weeks behind the others and all was well.
Get them scanned next year then you know who's expecting what.  our scanner was 100% accurate.