[Womble]

Folks,

You know how a ewe starts to 'hollow out' behind her ribcage before giving birth, as the lambs 'drop' and move into position?  Is that a reliable indicator that lambing is so many hours or days away?  I tried asking google, but just got recipes for rack of lamb! 

Also, if a ewe is expecting multiple lambs, how long would you leave her in between each one before investigating?


Thanks! 

[SallyintNorth]

Yes, it's a fairly reliable indicator that things are moving - but In my experience it could still be a day or two yet, although it will often be within the next 6-8 hours, or sooner.  And every indicator there is, some ewe some day will do a fortnight before she lambs, or more.     They just love to make fools of us. 

If you've scanned your ewes, then I don't leave long at all with triplets.  20 mins max between lambs, then I'll be in there to assist.  And usually just fetch them both out, rather than leave it for her to emit the third.  If it's twins, I'd be less concerned about a delay, but would want to see some action within an hour - and it's usually nothing like that long.

[Womble]

Thanks Sally,  very helpful as always  .

I think I now know WHAT to do in most situations, it's just knowing WHEN to do it, and when to sit on my hands that's the tricky part!

I wish I'd asked the triplets question a few days ago. We had one ewe pop out a lamb with no warning, then did nothing for an hour. Since she seemed quite happy in herself, I left her to it as I didn't want to interfere un-necessarily. Unfortunately by the time I realised that something was wrong, it was too late to save the second lamb 

Still, isn't experience always what you get just after you needed it!? 

[SallyintNorth]

I still agonise sometimes, and we all still make mistakes sometimes.     Keep asking questions! 

[Backinwellies]

I was always taught if there is progess in 30mins leave alone ... if no progress in 30mins get on and check. (ewe lambs may be slower)   ... to stop myself helping unnecessarily it is a good time to make a cup of tea ... when you get back either the first lamb will have arrived and you can watch the second or you will need to investigate further.

[Marches Farmer]

With Southdowns the "drop" is generally no more than 6 hours before lambing.  I usually leave the first born about half-an-hour before checking what's happening with the second, less if the first has had a leg back because the second's often tangled up too.  If the ewe lies down and strains to push out the second lamb but nothing happens within five minutes or if feet appear but nothing else after five minutes, I check then, too.  This is quite a short time but if the second lamb has been queuing to be born it's often stained with meconium, indicating it's stressed and tired.

[Old Shep]

Wth the triplets this year there's been a lot of first ones coming right and the second two coming backwards.  I don't hang about with the backwards ones as there seems to be more risk of the cord breaking.