Better news first thing this morning. Another first time mum produced these. Both are suckling well and the ewe is discovering what it means to be a mother. Two accounted for, six more ewes to go.
Thursday, 14 March 2019
Lambing begins
Lambing has begun for us. The first ewe, a first time mum, got into difficulties and I had to deliver the lamb for her. Its legs were tangled up and I knew I was delivering a dead lamb. This was on Monday, a few days earlier than the expected delivery date. Although the ewe appears well and sprightly, today she still had not fully delivered the afterbirth so the vet was needed. An injection of oxytocin to stimulate the uterus and an anti-inflammatory should sort her out.
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So sad that the first lamb was stillborn. Does this happen often? And will the ewe be greatly distressed? I'm glad the others are ok, but I imagine it is a very tiring time of year (my lambing knowledge comes entirely from The Archers, you understand)
ReplyDeleteOcassionally it happens. As a first time mother to be I think the ewe was not quite sure what happened to herself. The focus now is to ensure she is well and have another opportunity next year. For farmers with commercial size flocks it could be a tiring time because someone needs to be around 24 hours a day. For me I just keep checking periodically including one check in the early hours. Fortunately Wiltshire Horns generally have few obstetric problems. Nothing too much wrong with the Archers, Angela! The reason why the series was originally started was to educate the public (a very Reithian value) of farming practices.
ReplyDeleteWe are about to get a few dorper ewes and eventually let them breed - while having a couple a year for meat. Any comments on dorpers or other breeds that shed would be welcome. (no previous sheep experience....)
ReplyDeleteHi Richard. I was not that familiar with dorpers so have been reading about them. They would probably do well here with the relatively poor grass on our sady soil, especially if we have a repeat of last summer’s drought. Wiltshire Horns are a meat breed. They look a bit untidy in early summer when the fleece drops but by the end of the summer a new coat has grown.
ReplyDeleteSandy soil
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