Lambs that are delivered rear legs first should be gently shaken upside-down by holding the rear legs to allow fluid to drain from the lungs. For lambs that are pulled, a piece of straw may inserted into the nostril to stimulate breathing. When assistance is required to deliver one lamb, the uterus should be examined for additional lambs. Prolonged delivery beyond these times may indicate lambing difficulty, and the ewe should be examined and assisted if necessary. After the first lamb is born, subsequent lambs are normally delivered within 30 minutes. Once the front legs are visible, lambs should be born within 30-45 minutes. However, once the ewe begins forceful straining and the water bags are passed, delivery should normally take place within 45-60 minutes. Ewes in labor should be left undisturbed. The lambing process can vary considerably between ewes. It is not necessary to have a heated lambing barn- a dry, draft-free area is most important. The lambing area should be dry and well bedded, and sources of cold drafts that will chill newborn lambs should be eliminated. Ewes that will lamb between these times usually show signs at the late night observation. or midnight, it is not necessary to check again before 5 or 6 a.m. Pregnant ewes should be checked every 3-4 hours. Losses due to stillbirths and dystocia can be reduced by frequent visits to the lambing barn and timely assistance of ewes. (Previously published on the Virginia Cooperative Extension web page)ĭystocia has been shown to be a significant cause of lamb mortality. Scott Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist – Sheep, Virginia Tech
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