[maddy]

I have just had a set of triplets born to my ryeland ewe.  I don't ever seem to have a text book delivery and this was no exception.  She had been uncomfortable and took her self off alone for a few hours this morning.  There was no mucus or indication that labour had started/and no water bag appeared.  She then started straining and blood appeared which worried me.  Then 45 mins later the water bag did appear with a lamb which was covered in browny green slime.  Was very weak but alive then another in the same browny slime then another.  All weak but alive and now fine and all fed.  They were so weak that I held each up to feed in turn. 

Was the browny greeny slime indicating stress as in faeces from lambs?  Afterbirth arrived which also was quite greeny/brown in colour.  She has lambed before and this didn't happen.

I have already had 2 lamb which had different lambings compared to previous couple of years and just another couple to go.

It is quite stressful - I don't know how you all manage with loads.  I am exhausted!!!!

[Marches Farmer]

If the labour is a long one the lambs sometimes come out mustard coloured, but with browny green slime I'd be wondering about enzootic abortion. I suggest speaking to your vet.  Separate the ewe and lambs and don't let the other ewes near her birth fluids or afterbirth.

[maddy]

Excuse my ignorance but if the lambs were born alive and look very healthy this morning could it still indicate a zoonotic abortion??

[fsmnutter]

Enzootic abortion can cause weak live lambs as well.
It sounds like it could also be meconium staining of the lambs due to a prolonged, tricky or stressful birth.
Or it could be that ewe had an isolated condition/trauma/infection that stressed the lambs before birth.
If you have any others that are concerning you, it would definitely be worth asking the vet to take a look.
They can sample lambs/placentas to check for abortion agents, but at best only 50% of abortions get a diagnosis.
As the lambs are alive, I'd wait and see, if you have any more weak, early, dead or that look odd colours/placentas, you could test them and/or blood sample your ewes later in the year for enzootic abortion (EAE) (your vet can advise you how and when to test the ewes).