[kate7590]

We've returned home this evening to find our ewe 'Martha' has given birth to 2 beautiful babies, a girl and a boy. We weren't expecting lambs til mid february (going by the date we brought them home) so are a little unprepared! 
We've managed to catch Martha & her lambs and put them in a little pen bedded down with deep straw and some hay & food & water for Martha.
The lambs seem healthy and have seen them drinking.
We can go to Wynnstay tomorrow to get supplies.
We want to neuter the little boy (sorry Norman) so is it best to do that tomorrow? Also tail docking? (Our others hadn't been done but think we will with these babies.

These are our first ever lambs and we're so excited, just wish we had a bit more time to prepare!!

TIA

[Sbom]

Congratulations!
Sounds like you've done just the right thing, tails and boy bits will be fine for a couple of days, they need to be done within a week but I go more on size. A super single ill do at 1-2 days but little fellas nearer a week.

Only thing to watch out for is more lambing early........is it possible you may have a badly castrated ram lamb?

[kate7590]

We only have 1 ram and 2 ewes (tiny start out for us) and Darwin (our ram) was in with them the day we brought them all home on the 14th September.
She's always been much bigger than our other ewe, I very much doubt she is going to drop soon, if she is even in lamb

How long should we keep them enclosed for? The little girl is quite small

[Sbom]

I keep mine in a small pen for a day or two depending on space and then into a bigger one with others for a day or two then outside weather permitting.

[Brandi]

 :wave:Congratulations! What a lovely way to celebrate the festive season and  to welcome 2015.

You were fortunate in realising that they had arrived so that they have shelter tonight. I would be very wary of turning them out until they are stronger and suckling and even then they may need to be brought in for the nights. She must have had another boyfriend before Darwin! What the ewe lamb's name? Nancy by any chance??

[kate7590]

We're going to go up and check them again in a bit before bed.
Brandi- yes her name is Nancy, how did you guess lol
Norman & Nancy

[Brandi]

  let's just say that my baking is 'more Norman than Nancy'!!

We're in Conwy so in relative terms not so very far from you.

[hafod]

Congratulations! Every morning I go and check ours - expecting a little surprise (or two). Our lambs are not 'due' till end of March but I have my suspicions over a so called whether! As others have said I would wait until they are suckling well and also consider bringing in at night. We have a neighbour that lambs early (for this part of the world) and he tends to lose more lambs to foxes at this time of year.

[Brucklay]

How lovely - iodine on navel/cord is a good practice if you have any or get some in for next time - if they a on clean bedding they should be fine - enjoy 

[Rosemary]

What a lovely surprise! Just shows they don't need us at all 

[devonlady]

When you can feel Norman's testicles well down in the sac is the time to ring him. Expect him to fall to the floor and writhe a bit. I cross my legs when I'm doing ours and I haven't got any!! ( testicles that is ) Also, before you close the ring, make sure that both balls are well in front of the ring. Practice on small marbles in a sock.

[FiB]

Congratulations! let us know how you get on with the ball chopping.... I would quite like to keep any pet lambs this year .... Which means possibly castrating.... But not sure I can bring myself to do it.......  Sounds like you are well set up, don't know what id do with a lambing this early... We don't have a barn.... Enjoy :-)

[Marches Farmer]

If you haven't been feeding the ewe introduce 18% protein ewe feed pellets slowly, to give the rumen time to adjust.  Start with 50g twice a day and increase to 500g in 50 g/day increments then reduce back down again after about 3/4 weeks, depending on her condition and your grazing. This will help milk production and keep her in reasonable condition.  Had you vaccinated her for clostridial diseases (usually done 4 weeks before lambing)?   I'd watch the other ewe like a hawk - what happened to one may have happened to the other.  Signs of imminent lambing include pawing the ground, going off into a corner or under a hedge, squatting without urinating or defacating, lying down with legs outstretched and clearly straining - all of these may happen before or after you see a waterbag appearing, or you may not see it at all.

[Rosemary]

When you can feel Norman's testicles well down in the sac is the time to ring him. Expect him to fall to the floor and writhe a bit. I cross my legs when I'm doing ours and I haven't got any!! ( testicles that is ) Also, before you close the ring, make sure that both balls are well in front of the ring. Practice on small marbles in a sock.

And make sure you don't trap a nipple.

[ladyK]

Congratulations, what a lovely surprise!