I personally like to separate my ewe and her lambs from the rest of the flock. I put them in a "lambing jug" which is simply an area in the barn big enough for her to move around without tripping over her lambs. I leave her in there for two days after lambing. Here is why:
1. She doesn't have to compete for food during a time when her body is trying to restore depleted reserves used up during the stress of lambing.
2. She has an uninterrupted opportunity to bond with her lambs and they to her.
3. I can watch the ewe to ensure she has passed her afterbirth and that she is nursing her lambs all right.
4. I can handle the lambs without them running around and upsetting Mom. Right after the lambs are born, I give them a shot of Nutridrench, which gives them a head-start vitamin-wise. I also weigh them.
4. I tag the lambs' ears on Day 2. Any later than that and they are the devil to catch if they are loose. Having them still in the jug makes tagging a cinch.
5. If it is extremely cold (close to 0 degrees Farenheit), I will put up a heat lamp in the jug. I almost lost 2 lambs to extreme cold last winter. Even warm from amniotic fluid, their tails froze into little popcicles. I had to bring them inside to defrost them and finish drying them.
6. To get mom and lambs into a jug, grab a lamb or two, hold it out in front of you nose-level to the ewe and back your way slowly into the jog. The ewe will follow.
The way I do things is very different than someone with a larger flock. The only right way to do things is whatever way is best for the sheep. I hope this information helps.
Carol
At 10:32 PM 1/14/2003 -0500, you wrote:
I have 3 ewes and 1 ram. 1 ewe delivered a still born about two weeks ago (looked mostly developed, but no hair). She's since been eating fine and appears okay. Still not sure what caused this. 1 ewe looks pregnant, but still a while to go. My problem is with the remaining ewe. She is twice as round as the other pregnant ewe, so I'm guessing possible twins -1st birth for her. Up until yesterday things were looking great. The sheep have constant access to a huge round bail of hay in a covered shed and I've been feeding grain daily (enough for each to have about a pound). The ewe began bagging up about 10 days ago and looks full now. Her "rear" is slightly swollen during the last few days and the side of her hips sunken a bit -basically some of the signs of a nearing delivery. Unfortunately, I noticed yesterday that she began looking a little depressed (not laying a! round or stumbling, but just slower than usual). Today, very oddly, she would not eat the grain (she usually goes right for it and digs right in). Also appears she's had loose stool today. Should I be worried that there is a problem or could this simply be part of immanent delivery? I'm checking her every couple of hours, but she still shows no signs of labor (no heaving breathing or straining, or lying down). Also, in the event that nature takes it's course and everything is fine and I've got new babies in the next day or two, will the babies be okay in the field and stall in the cold weather? It's supposed to get into the 20's here this week (no precipitation), will the kids be okay or should I catch them and mom and bring inside? Appreciate any advise. Thanks -Kyle.
Carol Elkins Critterhaven Estate Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep (no shear, no dock, no fuss) Pueblo, Colorado http://www.critterhaven.biz NEW! T-shirts, mugs, mousepads, and more at the Blackbelly Online Store http://www.cafeshops.com/cp/store.aspx?s=blackbellysheep =============================================== This message is from the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep mailing list. To respond to this message, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe or change your membership options, go to http://lists.coyotenet.net/mailman/listinfo/blackbelly
