Agri Vehicles Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: Scratching an indicator of labour?  (Read 3011 times)

ScotsGirl

  • Joined Dec 2009
  • Wiltshire
Scratching an indicator of labour?
« on: February 02, 2013, 02:49:57 pm »
This might sound daft but has anyone experienced their ewes getting itchy near their due date? I have a first time lamber who is due around Monday and up to now she has been very vocal when she sees me (bottle fed) but now she has gone quiet and intent on scratching her head and side against the fence.


My other ewe isn't doing this or the goats and it only started today. Having said that, the sun is shining and maybe she is just hot?

jaykay

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Cumbria/N Yorks border
Re: Scratching an indicator of labour?
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2013, 03:32:20 pm »
I think maybe she got hot  :sheep:

'Pawing the ground' type scratching is definitely a sign of impending lambing but I'm not sure about scratching her head on the post.

Marches Farmer

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Herefordshire
Re: Scratching an indicator of labour?
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2013, 06:51:51 pm »
Occasionally seen one doing this as lambing has begun, like a sort of displacement activity.  The skin also gets stretched quite taut in late pregnancy and may well be irritating the ewe.

ScotsGirl

  • Joined Dec 2009
  • Wiltshire
Re: Scratching an indicator of labour?
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2013, 07:18:39 pm »
Wishful thinking for me! One was due Thurs onward and still waiting, other due Mon onwards. Wish they'd hurry up so I can get a couple of weeks sleep before main lot start.


ZaktheLad

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Thornbury, Nr Bristol
Re: Scratching an indicator of labour?
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2013, 10:39:37 pm »
Wishful thinking for me! One was due Thurs onward and still waiting, other due Mon onwards. Wish they'd hurry up so I can get a couple of weeks sleep before main lot start.


I had that last year with my ewes  ::)

SteveHants

  • Joined Aug 2011
Re: Scratching an indicator of labour?
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2013, 03:50:52 pm »
I think, given when you posted was one of the first clear days we have had in ages - its more likley that the fleece was drying out, which can make them itchy. I noticed a load of mine scratching on whatever sunny day it was we had last week.....

 

Scratching sheep

Started by cairnhill (9.17)

Replies: 1
Views: 1800
Last post April 19, 2010, 10:30:09 pm
by Freddiesfarm
constant scratching

Started by Rusal (9.17)

Replies: 5
Views: 1765
Last post August 18, 2016, 08:28:20 am
by Marches Farmer
Labour or not?

Started by ScotsGirl (7.79)

Replies: 5
Views: 2485
Last post February 24, 2014, 05:05:58 pm
by ScotsGirl
Ewe in labour but not straining.

Started by Smashy and gang (7.71)

Replies: 5
Views: 3702
Last post May 03, 2011, 04:38:16 pm
by Smashy and gang
Early labour?

Started by in the hills (7.71)

Replies: 24
Views: 10558
Last post April 06, 2012, 01:31:10 am
by SallyintNorth

Forum sponsors

FibreHut Energy Helpline Thomson & Morgan Time for Paws Scottish Smallholder & Grower Festival Ark Farm Livestock Movement Service

© The Accidental Smallholder Ltd 2003-2023. All rights reserved.

Design by Furness Internet

Site developed by Champion IS