[Badger Nadgers]

I'm having a horrible year lambing so far. Have a small flock of Castlemilk Moorits and am just having problem after problem.
[snip]
Just needed a tired rant at people who would understand!

And that is crucially important to do.  This is an extremely supporting community here, even for those of us who are more passive participants on the forum.  Lambing is a huge emotional emotional roller coaster, often largely experienced alone, during unusual hours, and often in not the best of environments, whilst the usual demands of modern life still present themselves from others unaware of what it's like first hand.  Okay, so sheep are not people, but there's still a hell of a lot of work gone in to getting them to this stage, and it's natural to give it your best - not to mention a dollop of personal pride and commitment. 

If I have a sh*tty lambing, I try not to beat myself up about it, but that might be how I deal with stressful situation, sort of a reflective clarity that crucially is forward looking.  It's invevitable to go into diagnosis mode and work out why, but I keep a limit on it, and prefer to think "well that didn't work, so what am I going to do differently next year?"   It's my first year running a smartphone (in general not just for this) which is something a little alien to me being more computers than mobiles which I see as part of the devil's stupidity (YMMV).  But one thing I'm finding it very useful for is capturing thoughts as I go along in Evernote which I build into to my "lessons learnt" that I pull into themes after lambing finishes and look at when planning next year.  I'm still running my pocket book for other notes although I'm finding a duplicate in a different format is handy (and has the benefits of pop-up reminders, automatic date and time stamping, and ability to include images), but it's quite handy as a second method and interestingly for me is easier to emote into than the pcoket book, possibly because I associate writing with formality and defnitie decisions.  I'm going to keep the notebook on though for the more messy, quick and dirty, or less pretentious times.

The other thing I do is try and call back on those little amusing things that make you see during the event and make you chuckle.  It doesn't matter how trivial they are, they've lodged in there for a good reason and this is the time to use them!

And last but not least.  Even if you're having a really grim day, think back to why you're doing this.  You're doing something absolutely amazing that most other people wouldn't dream about doing.  They don't understand and that doesn't matter because they're probably eejits anyhow.  Yes, so it's not perfect now, but take a look around town or something and you'll soon see you are still in a far better place than the muppets in the non-ag world.  I'm not from farming stock and know b*gger all about this game, but I'm having a cracking time finding out.

Good luck.

[Womble]

Fantastic post Badger Nadgers  .

Lambing is a huge emotional emotional roller coaster, often largely experienced alone, during unusual hours, and often in not the best of environments, whilst the usual demands of modern life still present themselves from others unaware of what it's like first hand.

Yup!  If you'd have read that to me the middle of last week, I'd have burst into tears. Just. So. Tired. I made the mistake of thinking I could still work my day job and lamb simultaneously. By the weekend, I'd collapsed into an emotional heap and still had work to do for a deadline this morning. Mrs Womble (who sensibly booked two weeks off work) snapped this pic at shift handover and then wouldn't let me go to bed until I'd showered! .

The other thing I do is try and call back on those little amusing things that make you see during the event and make you chuckle.

Yup!


I read a quote on somebody's Facebook feed this morning, and despite the cheesiness, it's actually spot on:

Sometimes it can seem as if the walls are closing in. Other times I see that I got everything I ever wanted.

Remember this is only a season. Even with all the tears as well as the joy, it will pass. Can I suggest you find a ridiculously happy lamb to spend time with today?  Works for me! 

[Marches Farmer]

Exactly.  We always have a Lambing Review meeting around the dining table (very good cake included) and plan for next year.  Also make a point of stopping to enjoy those moments when the lambs are pronking and racing up and down the meadow before dusk.

[Coximus]

I've had a s**t week of lambing so far - 3 dead lambs, one found in a neighbours field - and a ewe in labour attacked by the badgers and died afterwards...........
But on the plus side the grass is through faster than their eating it, everyone’s holding body condition and By lambing outside i've managed to avoid most problems bar the "Get in the hay feeder to have a lamb and then get stuck".

Sheep for you! but once lambing is over, just chalk it all to the experience board and next year you will be better prepared.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

So sorry to hear about this coximus. I hope that lambing goes better for you soon  I myself am just at the start of lambing and calving myself, have had a few problems and 2 mothers rejecting their lambs, really angers me but what can you do? Things will get better in the long run and at least we have lo ger days ahead

[Beeducked]

Badgers Nadgers, thank you for a wonderful post. It did bring tears to my eyes after another difficult day. Had to have the joint ill lamb PTS and have another ewe that lambed yesterday looking very miserable but is a bit more perky after metacam and antibiotics from the vet. She is letting him feed a little  so hopefully with a little help they will get along OK.


Decided to do as you suggested today. I went for a short bike ride round the lanes near us and cleared my head and got a bit of exercise which always makes me feel a bit better. Also took me past most of our lovely neighbours which reminded me of how many good people are around us and are there to help if we need it which really helped with the feeling of isolation that too many sleepless nights and sad outcomes can bring.
I then sat and watched the bees fly for a while which really calms me down.


I then spend a while in the barn playing with the animals. Not watching them for illness or assessing them for labour or anything practical, just enjoying them for a while. I had put the lamb born with gastroschisis (intestines on the outside) in with the kids as I suspect that the way they live (i.e. hanging around as a gang and just going to mum for food rather than like lambs who follow their mums that he doesn't have) would be much better for him. It was wonderful watching this little thing that was so close to death less than a week ago bouncing around with his new friends learning how to be a goat (better than thinking he's a person!). Made so much of the last week worth it!

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Am glad that things are getting better  for you. I hope that the rest of lambing goes well I am just starting to lamb my big flock now and am feeling a little daunted by it but its exciting isn't it? The anticipation of it all being just aboyt the kick off

[Beeducked]

Am glad that things are getting better  for you. I hope that the rest of lambing goes well I am just starting to lamb my big flock now and am feeling a little daunted by it but its exciting isn't it? The anticipation of it all being just aboyt the kick off

Hope you have a wonderful year. Yes, it is exciting.

[Beeducked]

Thought I would post a little update having had a bit more sleep and feeling a bit less like the world is against me.


Little Gilbert (got told off for calling him Giblet Boy) is doing really, really well. He's a strong stocky lad and is growing fantastically. Loves his cuddles and it definitely winning the race to be the wether we keep this year.
Titch, the tiny twin started slipping and falling behind his brother further so decided to top him up a bit and tube him if needed. It wasn't! He has taken to the bottle in a heartbeat but still happily suckles from mum but is now coming on fabulously, chasing round with his brother driving their mother to distraction. The poorly ewe is much better but is producing only a tiny bit of milk. Her lamb has also taken to the bottle for top ups but still with mum too which is making life pretty easy for me and they all seem to be thriving on goats milk. Can't believe how quickly they have taken to the bottle compared to the cases I had a couple of years ago who were a nightmare and took 5 days to get going!


Feeling back in control. Got a couple more to go so fingers crossed for a bit better weather (and luck).

[Remy]

Sorry to hear of your trials and tribulations!  I can sympathise fully - every year for me seems to bring a new set of problems and nearly always something I haven't encountered before  .  When you think you have sussed one problem out and feel confident dealing with it, something else crops up which you have to find out about the hard way.  Sometimes I feel like I am just spending all my time watching them finding new ways to die!


This year for me has seen an unprecedented number of lambs which have been too weak to suckle, can't find the teat despite being strong looking lambs, ewes who won't let weak ones suckle - etc etc!  Have had three hypothermic lambs in due to not getting enough milk/colostrum and despite me giving them top ups.  One recovered from being comatose and is back with mum, another tiny one didn't make it and one is being bottle fed.  My usual lambing field is nearly under water and I've had to move them all onto a different field, the only one with any grass on it and which now has too many sheep.  Roll on dry weather and grass growth!  Only another 11 ewes to go 


Hope the rest of your lambing experience is a good one!

[Beeducked]

  My usual lambing field is nearly under water and I've had to move them all onto a different field, the only one with any grass on it and which now has too many sheep.  Roll on dry weather and grass growth! 

Lord I know that feeling! Think the weather and the mud has been much of the problem this year. We live on a flood plain so when it is wet, it's really wet but this has been a terrible year!

[Backinwellies]

..... and today it is snowing in S Wales!

[waterbuffalofarmer]

..... and today it is snowing in S Wales!

Same here in Mid Wales [member=26580]Backinwellies[/member]. Worst of all sheep wanted to start labing in it all, but they held off until now when the weather is sunny and warm again. Weird or what?