Author Topic: Pregnant sheep 'shape'? (Read 6018 times)

plumseverywhere · « **on:** January 24, 2012, 09:38:46 am »

Our first proper year with sheep so lots of silly newbie questions I'm afraid, please bear with me.

I know what shape a pregnant goat takes on thanks to some wonderful verbal descriptions from my breeder friend and also my own research online and in books.
I was wondering if sheep also take on the 'large bulge on the right hand side' type look as they develop into their pregnancy? I can see from the farmer across the roads ewes that the ones due to lamb in Feb are very large and their bellies seem quite low.
One of the 2 ewe's we are keeping has a bulge on the right, she is a wiltshireX and her fleece seems less thick and bushy than the one that you all helped me establish is possibly a dorset/lleyn a few days ago

so her tummy is easier to see.

like I say, sorry for daft questions!! If I want to get them scanned (which I do but hubby being grumpy, grrr!) what sort of cost would it be for 2 ewes? who would I get to do it? I assume not the vet who charges an arm and a leg bless him!!

Rosemary · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2012, 09:47:57 am »

My scanner charges a minimum £30 if she doesn't have to set up all her equipment. We did all nine in about 20 minutes this morning.

plumseverywhere · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2012, 09:50:16 am »

That's not a bad price at all - I could sneak that payment out and just say it was wine

Its a good price for peace of mind and a clear idea of whether we are lambing or not this year, not knowing just feels a bit daft to me...but hubby...well bless him...he likes a surprise (aaaaaaaaaaagh!!)

plumseverywhere · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2012, 09:56:45 am »

I retract that last statement - I have just explained to him WHY I need a scan done (ie. feed etc) and he said "oh if you'd just told me that in the first place.....". so..now to find a scanner in worcestershire...anyone? am off to 'katies' farm in a moment so will be asking you that question too Katie!!

Fleecewife · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2012, 12:43:18 pm »

It's not always possible to tell if a ewe is in lamb just by looking - depends on the breed, how fleecey and if it's a multiple I suppose. With our Hebs they look hilarious from the front - pear shaped with tiny stick legs.

We had one ewe who always had a bigger bulge on the right, whether she was in lamb or not....in fact I thought after she appeared with a lamb that she had stolen it as she didn't look any different

Dan · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2012, 01:22:12 pm »

Quote from: Fleecewife on January 24, 2012, 12:43:18 pm

We had one ewe who always had a bigger bulge on the right, whether she was in lamb or not....in fact I thought after she appeared with a lamb that she had stolen it as she didn't look any different

We've got one like that - this is Juno, who looks like she's got twins in there all year round!

feldar · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2012, 01:41:38 pm »

Please don't go by shape, we've had very skinny looking hamps produce twins before now. Its always best to scan or at least raddle your ram so you can mark the date the ewe was served.

plumseverywhere · « **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2012, 01:48:02 pm »

Quote from: feldar on January 24, 2012, 01:41:38 pm

Please don't go by shape, we've had very skinny looking hamps produce twins before now. Its always best to scan or at least raddle your ram so you can mark the date the ewe was served.

that's the plan now they are mine

unfortunately they were previously owned by a group who were 'unaware' that the ram was entire (despite me saying "he's got a scrotum" several times!) - its been tricky but now I will have these 2 ewes as my own, I intend to look after them properly

just waiting for vet to phone back re scan as we don't appear to have a scanner locally.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #8 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:38:24 pm »

The shape you describe is typical, yes, but not diagnostic. Fleecewife, I think we all have one like that!

plums, if you can see any udder development, that would be diagnostic. Our 'earlies' include some first-timer shearlings, due from 9th Feb, and most are now showing some bag.

I can't remember, plums, what would be your possible lambing dates?

SteveHants · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2012, 12:00:55 am »

I'm with sal on this - Id look for it bagging up.

plumseverywhere · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2012, 07:43:54 am »

well the ram was in with the ewes from birth till November 20th. based on this, earliest lambing is February -latest would be into april.
I can't see any bag as yet though.
I suppose there is a chance they are not pregnant