[ScotsGirl]

This might sound daft but has anyone experienced their ewes getting itchy near their due date? I have a first time lamber who is due around Monday and up to now she has been very vocal when she sees me (bottle fed) but now she has gone quiet and intent on scratching her head and side against the fence.


My other ewe isn't doing this or the goats and it only started today. Having said that, the sun is shining and maybe she is just hot?

[jaykay]

I think maybe she got hot 

'Pawing the ground' type scratching is definitely a sign of impending lambing but I'm not sure about scratching her head on the post.

[Marches Farmer]

Occasionally seen one doing this as lambing has begun, like a sort of displacement activity.  The skin also gets stretched quite taut in late pregnancy and may well be irritating the ewe.

[ScotsGirl]

Wishful thinking for me! One was due Thurs onward and still waiting, other due Mon onwards. Wish they'd hurry up so I can get a couple of weeks sleep before main lot start.

[ZaktheLad]

Wishful thinking for me! One was due Thurs onward and still waiting, other due Mon onwards. Wish they'd hurry up so I can get a couple of weeks sleep before main lot start.

I had that last year with my ewes 

[SteveHants]

I think, given when you posted was one of the first clear days we have had in ages - its more likley that the fleece was drying out, which can make them itchy. I noticed a load of mine scratching on whatever sunny day it was we had last week.....