We had another lamb born today to one of our best ewes. The birth went fine, and the lamb was up on its feet quickly. The ewe started to deliver a second lamb, and as soon as I saw the nose I realized it would be bigger, and probably a ram. Unfortunately, the lamb was delivering with its legs back. We didn't hang around waiting or anything; as soon as I saw the head out and no feet, I grabbed the lambing kit, the phone number of another shepherd, my husband, and his cell phone. I was able to get a hand in along the lamb's neck and felt a knee. I straightened that leg out and slid my other hand in on the other side. You can deliver a lamb with one leg back if the lamb isn't too big. Pushing down on the opposite shoulder, and pulling gently on the extended leg, the ewe pushed and the lamb slid out. He was already dead though, and had probably been dead for several minutes if he wasn't in fact stillborn from the beginning.
We do however have a very spunky 7lb black ewe lamb, so we are looking on the bright side. I don't have any pictures yet, but will get some tomorrow.
Another lamb in NH
Congratulations on the new baby! And so very sorry for the loss of the little ram.
We haven't progressed far enough yet, to actually have any animals breed, let alone deliver. I have nightmares about something like that happening as our first experience.
The best thing I can suggest is read as much as you can beforehand (Laura Lawson's books on Managing your Ewe, and Lamb Problems are invaluable for shepherds), but also find someone you can use as a mentor, and that you can call in an emergency. And if you can observe births at someone's farm before you have to do it, that would be great too. We weren't able to do that, and were fortunate in our first breeding season not to have any real problems other than one bottle lamb. Every time there is a problem however is also a learning opportunity - not that you hope for problems! But you know what I mean. I'll feel much more comfortable the next time I have to assist at a lambing. I also know there was not much I could have done to change the outcome this time. The birthing was not unusually prolonged, but it's entirely possible that the second lamb was already dead by the time his head was out. I'm just glad that we do have a live ewe lamb for the mother to focus on, and that the lamb is healthy and active.
I just got both of those books myself Karen, and they are so comprehensive. I really like them. I am sure they will be very valuable as we go forward with future lambing.
I'm sorry to hear about your ram lamb, but glad that the ewe lamb is healthy and happy. I'll look forward to pictures of her!
Here's a photo of Penny and her lamb. She didn't want to come out of the hoophouse so it's a bit dark.
Awwwhhhh! Beautifulllll!
Oh my, what a gorgeous fleece! I am most envious!
Awwww they do look happy there! What a darling baby!
It was pretty warm today, so they were staying in the shade. It's supposed to be really hot tomorrow. Claire, if you saw my post on the isbona list, you know the lamb has the runs now - probably getting too much of mom's milk as Penny is a very milky ewe and should have been feeding two. I hope the hot weather doesn't really stress the lamb out tomorrow.
She does have a nice fleece. This is her winter fleece so it's not even as nice as what she has in the fall.
I just saw that Karen - hope she is doing better now, or at least by tomorrow. I get the ISBONA emails as a digest. Sometimes it distresses me to read it, thinking about all the problems we haven't had yet that others are having. I feel like we've been very lucky for our first year of lambing and no problems. I shouldn't speak too soon - KitKat is still waiting!
Karen, do they go to the barn in the deep of winter or stay around the hoophouse? How long is your hoophouse?
I ask because we have a hoophouse in the field, it is three panels wide and we are going to add 2 more for a little over 20 foot. We have a small hay rack in the center isle to keep the hay dry rain or shine so it takes a lot of room.
Sorry to hear about your baby ram.. but congrats on the girl.. a bitterswwet day.
I am sorry about the loss of the second baby. I am so glad you have a beautiful baby girl. That picture is wonderful. Just adorable faces! :)
We actually do not have a barn (yet). These sheep do very well without a barn, as long as they have something that provides a windbreak and cover they can retreat to if they want. One shepherd said early on in her sheep owning experience, they had a bad ice/snow storm and she went out in a panic to find snow and ice covered lumps lying there chewing their cuds. She was able to get them into the shelter by bribing them with food, but then they went right back out. They preferred lying in amongst the trees to being inside.
Our hoophouse is only two panels long. We have two hoophouses actually, both the same size. But we only have 7 sheep (and counting!).
Good Lord!!! Galles, Clair, Fran. You ladies are my heros. I'm not reaching my arm in anywhere. I'm just not cutout for what you gals do. I have such a weak stomach!!! But I do admire you ladies. The stories and experiences you share with us are great, and I hope you can see me doin obiesence to all of you. Haystack.
Haystack, it's amazing what the human mind can overcome when faced with a crisis! I bet you'd be right in there if you knew a lamb's life hung in the balance and you could be the deciding factor.
Yep, although I'm not squeamish about such things, I'd never had my hand inside an ewe, and I couldn't imagine there could be enough room for the lamb and my hand at the same time, but of course there was. I feel very fortunate that I didn't have to push the lamb all the way back inside in order to straighten the legs out and then pull him back out again, which is what can happen if you have a big lamb presenting with both legs back. I had a huge knot in my stomach until I felt that knee right there, straightened the leg and realized I could pull him with just the one leg out.
I also wanted to say (for msrobin) that in addition to reading as much as you can, try to visualize what you would do in a given situation ahead of time. You can sort of "practice" in your head, and then when you get into a given situation, you are a little better prepared.
Claire this forum has been a tremendous source of learning for me. I have always loved the animals and the country. But I never had any animals to speak of except dogs, cats, and chickens. So much of this is new to me and I still find myself in awe of what some of you share with us. I would like to believe your right, but it makes me shake just thinking of an animal having it's life in my hands. Maybe if you were there? Just maybe? I just don't know, You guy's remain my heros. I think you are awesome for all the compassionate rescues you do. And your husband has to be one great guy. You guy's are just the greatest. Haystack