[Muttley94]

I have 5 ewes to lamb around April time, but after reading numerous books, i am confused at what I will all need  Luckily I came across this forum and thought I would ask experienced people for advice anything at all will be greatly appreciated!

[bazzais]

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/books/the-sheep-book-for-smallholders/

Its such a brilliant book - it answers so many questions

Good luck, sure it will all be fine!!

Baz

[in the hills]

Hi Muttley and welcome. I am new to the forum too but it is a good place to be.

I wont try to give any advice because i am a very inexperienced sheep keeper but I am sure someone will be along soon who can help you. We will be lambing for the first time in March so will read your replies with interest!

[lee.arron]

If you can get on a day lambing course it got me ready for it this year , and spend as much time with the sheep as you get i learned alot more from spending hours down the barns just watching their behaviour and noticing the signs ill definatly be ready for next year

[squeasy]

Hello,

I have two different books, that I have read from cover to cover, I had studied all the lists of what to have in preparation and went on a fantastic lambing course run by my vets. 

Unfortunately when presented with my first ever lambing and it was not straight forward (and didn't fit any of what I had read/been shown) ... I completely froze and felt very vulnerable.

However with the help of my very calm OH, a great friend (on speed dial) and a very competent vet we now have a healthy (very bouncy) lamb.

So my best advice is read all the fantastic posts on here, read your book, attend a course if you can, but most importantly have some people that have done it all before on speed dial - and then you can ring them from the lambing if there was a problem and they can help or just reassure you. 

I am sure you will be great though- and as people keep telling me most births are straight forward. 
Hope it goes well - good luck

[Muttley94]

Thanks Baz, think I will get myself one now
  I agree it seems a great place to be, everyone seems so helpful!
That's a great idea Lee, I will look into that
Squeasy I have now got my vet on speed dial and will read some more books I also have this forum in my favourites and will be here often! Thanks and I hope everyone else has a successful lambing season too 

[lee.arron]

the site has been well helpful to me especially on those nights when u stay up expecting an arrival, 4 weeks ago i was as stressed as hell thinking it was all going to go wrong, not knowing what im doing  but now i want more pregnant ewes only got 1 left to lamb and i know im going to miss it till next year

[Muttley94]

Yeah, I know exactly what to do when waiting up all night - read these brilliant posts! I am beginning to get stressed now but reckon I will miss all the excitement when I'm done you had a good year the Lee?

[in the hills]

Hi again Muttley,

If it is a list of basic lambing equipment that you were interested in then have a look at one of the recent posts in this sheep forum entitled.... First aid kit for sheep .......I think Fleecewife included a basic lambing kit list.

Hope this helps. I know what its like, I have read so much that I start to confuse myself ! Have you got a friendly local sheep keeper who you can chat to.

[lee.arron]

yea for first time  i think ive had it easy last girl to lamb is triplets so im worried about her she hasnt been comfortable for ages. one aborted about 6 weeks ago which was unfortunate but the others have been healthy lambs

[bazzais]

One of the best things that has been since I started with sheep - is having a great nieghbour.  I love my neighbour, she has even come out once with her little boy in the car at 4am to come and help cos she is at home on her own.  I never like asking, but having at least another person on speedial is comforting

[Muttley94]

Hi again I didn't notice that post so I will look now thanks. I don't actually have anyone just the local vets 
I have one that is triplets so I'm hoping it all goes well with her, think its only her second lot of lambs. I had one aborted middle of January but so far so good with the rest of them.
I live on the edge of a town and my only neighbours are in a new street of posh houses, not sure they would appreciate a call at anytime of the day never mind 4am! You are really lucky to have a friendly neighbour for support

[in the hills]

Ahh ....... that must be difficult. I am lucky in that I have a farming neighbour that does love his sheep and although he is retired he still keeps a flock but doesnt lamb anymore. He answers all my questions and is there if I need him to run an eye over my girls. He is also someone whos opinion I trust and I believe he is always compassionate towards his stock.

I wonder if there is a smallholding group near to you where you could meet people with experience in sheep?

My vet and the nurses at the surgery are very understanding when I ask for advice but then we are in very rural, sheep country!!!!!

[OhLaLa]

The best thing about lambing is when it's all over.

Last year ended badly and this year started badly.

Happy times, sad times.

    

[Remy]

If it's any comfort to you I knew nothing about sheep whatsoever when I was given six cade lambs; and nothing about breeding when I got a ram! 

I had four ewes, two of whom gave birth on their own (took me by surprise as I didn't think any of them were pregnant - I had used a crayon raddle which hadn't worked!).  One was found dead in the field and the other was a healthy boy.

The next year I had collected a few things at lambing time but very basic stuff - all four ewes lambed perfectly on their own without my help!  Over the years I've just added to my lambing kit as and when I use things, but this year have more 'emergency' things such as twin lamb drench, antibiotic injection, long nosed syringe and catheter.  I've only had to intervene with one ewe whose lamb seemed to be stuck for ages and I had to pull it out, poor ewe did get a bit swollen in her 'parts' but after an anti-inflammatory from the vet she was fine over the next few days.

I'm lucky in that I have quite a few people I can call on if I'm unsure about anything, but my own vet is very good for emergencies.

Best of luck!