The Rural Voice, 1989-01, Page 39ADVICE
HANDLE LAMBING
EWES WITH CARE
Most sheep lamb normally without
the help of humans. But occasionally
they may encounter difficulties. These
suggestions may help:
1. Watch ewes closely and give as-
sistance if needed.
2. When a ewe has difficulty, find
out whether the lamb is being delivered
in a normal position (head between and
slightly above the front feet). If not,
proceed cautiously. Difficult lambing
may be caused by any of the following
conditions:
• the lamb is extra large, especially
its head and shoulders,
• the ewe has a small pelvic area,
• the ewe fails to dilate,
• the lamb comes out backwards (a
breach birth),
• one or both front legs are bent back,
• the head is bent back,
• if the ewe is carrying two or more
lambs, their legs may become tangled
or, if two lambs are side by side, the ewe
may try to deliver both at the same time.
3. Just after the ewe lambs, place her
in a lambing pen to ensure proper bond-
ing between the offspring and mother.
4. Check the udder to see if colos-
trum is available; also check the teats to
be sure they are open.
5. Disinfect the navel cord of all
lambs soon after birth.
6. Be sure the ewe accepts her lambs
and allows them to nurse before you
leave.
7. If the lambs are weak, help them
to nurse.
8. If it is very cold, provide a heat
lamp for each lambing pen. There may
be little need for the lamp once the lambs
are dry and nursing satisfactorily.
9. Put ear tags on the lambs and rec-
ord the information in a lambing diary.
10. Remove the ewes with healthy,
single lambs from the lambing pens
after one day, ewes with healthy twins
after two days. This is also a good time
to paint brand the ewes and lambs if you
plan to do so.
Ewes and lambs may need to be
moved out of the lambing pens faster
than indicated above, depending on the
number of pens available and the num-
ber of ewes lambing.0
Tel. (519) 335-3561
1-800-265-3033
EST. 1873
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Teeswater
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Hanover
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JANUARY 1989 37