So this novice was left with the after care of mum and babies. Then the ewe produced a bag, Oh oh, I think this means another lamb. Still should be OK provided there is no complication then that is probably be fine provided its not a breech. Quick check, just a tail.... its a breech
OK the main thing is not to panic, luckily my son Sam has just turned up. He being a joiner also has no experience of lambing.
We check the book, get the gloves, soap flakes, warm water, iodine and take the book to the shed.
With Sam holding the ewes head I get up close and personal with the ewe pushing the lamb back into the womb so I can bring the two back legs pointing outwards and delivered her out backwards. All was well she was soon up and suckling after some encouragement. Just to be certain that she had colostrum, we made some up and fed her from a bottle.
What a buzz my first difficult delivery and we were duly delivered one healthy ewe lamb that otherwise would not have made it.
Some of the earlier lambs out and about with their mothers.
3 comments:
Congratulations Phil and Sam, what a moment! I think it's traditional in these occasions, to name the baby after the policeman, fireman, or even organic smallholder that delivered the baby. Philsam, what a lovely name for a girl.
Luckily for us, our rustic Ouessant ewes just give us one little lamb each year, which they seem to manage fine with on their own in the field. I have done a lambing course at an agricultural college and I can see myself, like you two, with book next to me as I tried to help. The smallness of ours might then create its own problem in getting my fingers in to readjust the position as you did. We will have two shearlings giving birth for the first time next spring so shall have to been more vigilant.
What an amazing experience and well done again,
Hi Stuart and Gabrielle
The more primitive sheep are usually much easier lambing, we found our Hill Radnors needed hardly any help where the remains of the Lleyn flock demanded more attention. Here in Shropshire we have to watch the carrion crows as they can kill a lamb before the ewe has recovered from the birth, seems to be a problem with first timers.
Thanks for the comment it was good fun but hopefully will be needed less as the Radnors take over from the Lleyns.
Best Wishes
Phil Moore
Hi again, Phil,
We've just changed the URL of our blog to "www.permacultureinbrittany.com". Can you please change the settings on your blogroll sidebar, else new posts won't show up.
Thanks, Stuart
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