Author Topic: Suggestions on ewe lamb please (Read 3753 times)

ZaktheLad · « **on:** February 19, 2013, 06:55:53 pm »

I have never bred from my ewe lambs before this year, but having purchased in a Suffolk ewe with her large single ewe lamb I decided this year to put the very well grown lamb with the new Hampshire Down ram lamb, together with my other ewes (leaving my 3 smaller ewe lambs separate). The ram went in with the ewes on 20th October and 2 were served that day, therefore due circa 17th March (148 days). Louisa the ewe lamb was served on the 25th October (due circa 22nd March). However, she then appeared to be served again on the 13th November and I marked in my diary to watch for lambs circa 10th April. I have for a week or to thought how fat her belly is getting and I wondered if she might be having twins, but it was not until this evening that I managed to feel her udder whilst she was eating a few nuts at the trough, that I realised she already has a significant well developed udder too!

My queries are, would a ewe lamb not supposedly due until 10th April have such a well developed udder (I didn't think ewe lambs had such significant udder growth as older ewes) and also, is there any chance that she did actually take the 1st time and did not actually turn for a second time (despite having 2 different coloured marks on her back). There is no way she could have got to a ram before 20th October and I am really surprised at the size of her developing udder. I find it hard to believe she will even go as long as another 3 or 4 weeks or so until 22nd March! She is fine in herself, eating well and when lying down shows no discomfort etc. Any ideas? Are ewe lambs likely to lamb significantly earlier than their due date i.e more than a week or so? Although she is not due for some weeks I am tempted to get her in so I can keep an eye on her - is this being too OTT? Her udder development is significantly more pronounced that many of the ewes that are due way before her - it really is extraordinary! She is a Suffolk x Charollais and born Jan 2012. The pics below give you an idea of her shape/size.

shep53 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2013, 08:16:32 pm »

First time lamber's tend to develop slowly over a long period unlike adults who can get near to giving birth before udder development . ewe lamb's tend to have smaller lamb's so gestation can be shorter than ewes to the same ram. I would suggest that from the middle of march you might expect her to lamb

ZaktheLad · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2013, 08:24:27 pm »

Thanks that's a great help - in that case I will leave her out with access to the barn for hay/dry bed as she does now, and just keep a good eye on her each day, as I don't think she will be too happy inside for a prolonged period of time, even with her mother for company. It would be ideal if she did lamb middle of March rather than 10th April, as that's when my majority of ewes are due and if she did end up with twin lambs, I might have the option of adopting one off, as I wouldn't want her to bring up 2 lambs herself even with what looks like what's going to be a very full udder!

shep53 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2013, 08:31:35 pm »

she may not lamb until early april just to keep you waiting

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2013, 12:03:57 pm »

They do tend to bag up at different rates. One of ours always looked liked a Holstein Friesian for a good five weeks before lambing.

Blacksheep · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2013, 06:57:06 am »

Think I would be keeping a close eye on her our pregnant lambs/hoggs don't tend to show much until near to lambing, whereas the older ewes seem to bag up much more and earlier in our flock.

ZaktheLad · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2013, 07:33:07 am »

I am waiting on a shearling to lamb for the first time in the next day or so and plan to get the Suffolk ewe lamb in once this has happened. Definitely going to get her in with her mother for company at the weekend though - just so I do not miss any imminent signs. I didn't want to get her in with her now as I was concerned that if the ewe lamb might put the other off lambing if she keep bleating to go out again! Apart from the fact that she may require some assistance, I am also concerned that if I miss her lambing in the field at night, then the fox will take the lamb, as we have several very hungry foxes around here. Better safe than sorry. Thanks for the responses everyone - very helpful.