10 Lambing Ewes

This chapter will cover preparations for lambing time, and managing the lambing ewe and associated problems. Care of the newborn lambs will be addressed in the next chapter.

Unexpected weather conditions can upset the best of plans, but advance preparation always pays off. Ideally, by the time lambing is due to start the ewes should be in appropriate body condition, either housed and penned according to scanning results, body condition and approximate lambing date, or gathered to in-bye land near to the farmstead where they can be kept under close observation. In some hill flocks it is accepted that single-bearing ewes of hardy hill breeds may be kept on extensive grazing and left more or less to their own devices, although regular inspection is still required to pick out ewes in difficulty.

Record Keeping

It is essential to keep lambing records of some form so that overall flock performance can be assessed and the main causes of loss identified. At its most basic the information should include the following number statistics:

ewes put to ram
ewes barren
ewes that died
ewes that lambed
lambs born alive
lambs born dead
lambs dying between birth and weaning.

From these figures the lambing percentage may be calculated, which is the number of lambs reared divided by the number of ewes put to the ram.

Fig. 344 The outcome of lambing is a major contribution to the productivity and profitability of a flock. Good preparation in advance of the start of lambing is essential to minimize losses.

Preparing Equipment

Making sure that lambing equipment is checked, clean and ready to hand is a starting point. The following is the minimum needed:

lambing ropes and snares

lubricant

disposable arm-length gloves

disposable syringes and needles, assorted sizes

a sharps container

clean plastic buckets

digital thermometer

stomach tube and large syringe for feeding lambs

plastic measuring jug

coloured spray markers

iodine or other navel treatment

calcium, glucose and antibiotic injections, and a respiratory stimulant for lambs (see your vet)

colostrum supply or substitute.

Gather these together and store them in a clean cupboard. A plastic box with a handle is very useful for carrying these to the lambing shed.

Fig. 345 Record keeping must be quick and easy, using a system that works for you in the rush of lambing. This is a simple system of recording what is happening using wipe-clean boards hanging on the front of pens. Information can be transferred to a book or computer. Alternatively, for a very simple system, just keep a notebook in your pocket.

Fig. 346 An assortment of lambing ropes and snares.

Fig. 347 Using a model lamb to show how to place a plastic-coated wire-head snare behind the ears and through the mouth.

Fig. 348 Disposable arm-length gloves, lubricant and a plastic sack to dispose of any used gloves.

Lambing Pens

The number of individual pens needed depends on whether lambing is indoors or outdoors, how many multiple births are expected, and the time-spread over which the flock is expected to lamb. There are various designs available commercially or pens may be home-made or adapted from existing facilities. Pens should be kept as clean as possible and well bedded. Preferably, clean out between ewes, but if this is not possible, clean straw should be added between ewes occupying them. Have a few pens available as hospital pens away from the main lambing area so these can be used to isolate ewes if this is necessary.

Fig. 349 A well organized indoor lambing flock, with plenty of easily accessible individual pens.

Fig. 350 This set of pens is for a small hill flock lambing outdoors. Few of the sheep should need to come in, but there are enough pens available if ewes need individual attention, and a useful fenced area to confine the ewes to make catching easier.

Fig. 351 These metal pens are for a large flock lambing indoors.

Fig. 352 Home-made pens using corrugated iron sheets. Be careful that there are no sharp edges to injure sheep or lambs.

Fig. 353 Here an old cubicle house has been adapted to become individual lambing pens. Using plastic mesh to separate the pens is a cheap and good solution.

Fig. 354 In an emergency, straw bales will make a temporary pen.

Fig. 355 This lambing shed has a viewing platform so sheep can be observed closely without disturbing them.

Normal Lambing

Lambing outside allows the ewe to choose her place to give birth. Most ewes separate themselves from the rest of the flock and choose a sheltered place under a hedge or wall. Housed ewes do not have this luxury, however, particularly if the pen is crowded. Signs of imminent lambing include restlessness, looking around at the flank, scratching at the ground and repeatedly lying down, straining and getting up again. After a variable period of perhaps half an hour to several hours a waterbag (foetal membranes and fluids) appears at the vulva, with more straining producing the lamb, front feet and head first, after a further period. This can be as quickly as ten minutes to as long as two hours.

The total length of time taken for what can be considered a normal lambing depends on the age of the ewe (first-time lambers take longer), the size of the first lamb (a large single takes longer than an average-sized twin), and the presentation of the lamb (lambs coming backwards take longer and can get into difficulties). If more than one lamb is expected, most ewes clean up the first lamb before settling down to have the second. An interval of about half an hour between lambs would be normal, though it can be shorter.

Allowing about an hour after the appearance of the waterbag (or the first lamb, if more than one is expected) is a reasonable length of time before deciding to intervene if there is no sign of progress. When the ewe has finished lambing and has cleaned up and fed the lambs, she will generally lie down and expel the placenta(s).

Fig. 356 Make sure ample water is available, as heavily pregnant and lambing ewes are thirsty.

Fig. 357 This ewe’s vulva is relaxed so she is near to lambing, but there is no sign of foetal fluids or a waterbag.

Fig. 358 A typical position that can be adopted by a heavily pregnant ewe in the days before lambing and during lambing.

Fig. 359 A sheltered and secluded lambing site chosen by this Herdwick ewe; she is showing the typical straining posture.

Fig. 360 This housed ewe is also exhibiting the typical straining posture.

Fig. 361 This ewe has started lambing, as there is a string of foetal fluid showing.

Fig. 362 This ewe has a large waterbag present.

Fig. 363 Two waterbags are present here. The colour and consistency of the foetal fluid can vary from clear (like egg white) to dark-coloured (like dark urine), depending on which part of the foetal membranes are visible. If the foetal fluid is orange-coloured, this is foetal dung, showing that lambing has been in progress for some time.

Fig. 364 The ewe is straining and the waterbag is still visible. She will be uncomfortable and will lie down and get up numerous times.

Fig. 365 She is now standing up, the waterbag has burst, and a lamb’s foot is just visible at the vulva.

Fig. 366 You can tell it is a front foot because the toe is pointing downwards with the sole of the foot underneath. Back feet have the soles pointing upwards.

Fig. 367 She is lying down again and the lamb’s upper leg and nose are visible. The lower leg is present but not visible.

Fig. 368 The lamb is born. The orange colour is staining with meconium (foetal dung), which is often passed during birth, but can indicate a delay in the birth process.

Fig. 369 The ewe is getting up and the lamb already has its head up.

Fig. 370 Licking the lamb.

Fig. 371 Another waterbag is present.

Fig. 372 Giving birth to the second lamb, with the first lamb lying safely in front of her.

Fig. 373 Almost born.

Fig. 374 Looking after both lambs.

Fig. 375 Another ewe near lambing is interested in the lamb and might pinch it if she has the opportunity. Lambing indoors gives greater opportunities for ‘mismothering’ than lambing outdoors.

Fig. 376 Putting the ewe and lambs into an individual pen will prevent mismothering.

Fig. 377 This lamb has been born still in the foetal membranes. Usually the membranes break as the ewe stands, or the lamb will kick and struggle as it becomes short of oxygen and thereby escape – but if it does not, it will suffocate.

Fig. 378 Some ewes eat the placenta but if not, it should be cleared away and disposed of.

Fig. 379 This ewe looks as though she has been trying to lamb for some time judging by the straw on the visible foetal membranes and the dirty dark orange colour of the string of foetal fluid visible. Looking carefully, it is possible to see that the lamb’s nose and both feet are visible but these are large, indicating a big single lamb. The ewe should be assisted at this stage.

Difficult Lambings

Although the majority of ewes lamb normally and without help, it is essential to be able to pick out a ewe that is in difficulty. In hill breed flocks, most ewes generally manage unaided, whereas in some flocks of purebred lowland ewes, particularly the muscular terminal sire breeds, a number of ewes may require help. Deciding when to intervene can be a worry, particularly for people with little experience. Over-anxiety and constantly disturbing the ewe can delay the progress of lambing, particularly if the ewe is not used to close human contact. If you follow the guidance below you are less likely to have a disaster on your hands:

Give the ewe time and space – if she is outside, a pair of binoculars saves walking and constantly disturbing her.

It is time to take a closer look in the following circumstances:

If the ewe is uncomfortable and is wet below her tail and over the back of the udder – she may have a lamb in breech position (coming backwards with the legs under the body). Intervening sooner rather than later makes it easier to correct this malpresentation.

If a ewe has been straining for an hour without progress.

If a waterbag has been present for an hour without further progress.

Fig. 380 Only the lamb’s head is visible. The lamb should not be pulled without getting at least one front leg up. If the lamb’s head is not swollen, put a rope on the head before gently pushing it back and finding the legs. If the lamb’s head is swollen, it is often possible to get a hand down the side of the neck and find a leg, after which it may be possible to deliver it with lots of lubrication. If you are sure the lamb is dead (and only if you are sure), cutting the head off is the quickest way to deal with these cases, as it makes getting the legs up easier.

Fig. 381 Use plenty of lubricant – this makes it easier to deliver the lamb, and reduces the chance of damaging the ewe. Disposable gloves are advisable to protect the ewe from infection.

Some people will intervene sooner (there is no objection to this, provided they are skilled), but an hour gives the ewe sufficient time to progress without risking the life of the lambs unduly. If you wish to check what is happening earlier, it is acceptable to have a gentle feel with fingers only. If all seems normal, more time can be allowed. If an obvious problem such as breech presentation is detected, go straight ahead and assist.

To examine a ewe, make sure your hands are clean and use a disposable glove if possible. If ewes are outside and it is impractical to have water to wash with, carry a bottle of gel hand disinfectant, readily available in chemists and supermarkets these days. If any part of a lamb is visible, try to determine what is going on. Use plenty of lambing gel, and carefully use your fingers or hand to feel inside the ewe’s vagina and identify any lamb parts you can feel:

If a head is present, where are the feet?

If legs are present, are they front or back, or a mixture?

If front legs are present, where is the head?

If a tail is present it is a breech presentation.

If no parts of a lamb can be felt, how far is the cervix dilated? Are you too early, or is it ringwomb (failure of the cervix to dilate)?

If the cervix is dilated, what can you feel beyond it?

It is outside the scope of this book to give detailed advice on dealing with difficult lambings (see Winter and Hill, A Manual of Lambing Techniques, and Winter and Charnley, The Sheep Keeper’s Veterinary Handbook, both published by The Crowood Press). However, here are some general guidelines:

Be gentle – it is easy to damage ewes internally, with fatal results.

Be clean – it is easy to introduce infection from which the ewe could die.

Use plenty of obstetrical lubricant, which makes repositioning head or limbs and delivering the lambs much easier and safer.

Never pull any part of the lamb without first checking that its positioning is normal; in particular do not pull the legs if the head is turned back.

Use lambing ropes or snares, particularly if the head is turned back.

If the lamb is dead and smelly, it may be possible to dismember it and remove it in pieces, but this requires skill to carry out without damaging the ewe. If not, it is generally not advisable to carry out a caesarean, so humane slaughter may be the only option.

If you cannot decide what the problem is, or are not making progress within a short space of time, seek veterinary help. A live ewe and live lambs is better for all concerned from a welfare and economic perspective than a dead ewe and dead lambs.

Fig. 382 Carrying out a careful internal examination should be done gently, with clean hands or wearing a disposable glove.

Fig. 383 A useful method of checking if a ewe has finished lambing is to ‘ballot’ the side and underneath of the abdomen to feel if a lamb is still in the uterus.

Aftercare of the Ewe

Ewes that lamb unaided do not usually require special attention unless they develop a lambing-related problem, for example those discussed below, or hypocalcaemia discussed in the previous chapter. Ewes lambing indoors with multiple births should be put in individual pens in order to bond with the lambs, and the udder should be checked to make sure the lambs are likely to get enough colostrum. Make sure the ewe is provided with a bucket of water as ewes are thirsty after lambing, and with a little concentrate and good forage. Ewes that needed help to lamb other than a simple pull usually require an antibiotic injection, and those which have had a particularly difficult lambing or have a smelly discharge require antibiotic for several days and an anti-inflammatory injection – see your vet about obtaining these.

Fig. 384 This ewe’s vulva is swollen and oedematous following a difficult lambing. She should be given antibiotics for several days and an anti-inflammatory injection. If she is not vaccinated against clostridial diseases she will be at great risk of dying from clostridial infection.

Fig. 385 A caesarean operation done in good time can result in a live ewe and lamb(s). Spending too much time trying to deliver a difficult presentation risks the life of ewe and lamb(s).

Fig. 386 Make sure that the ewe has access to water after lambing, as she will be thirsty. Putting a bucket in a hanger attached to the front of the pen means it will not get knocked over and is less likely to get soiled.

Worming Ewes Around Lambing Time

Ewes lose their immunity to roundworms around lambing and for the first part of lactation. Most worm control programmes include dosing ewes before turn-out, since this will reduce pasture contamination if managed correctly. In order to reduce the risk of anthelmintic resistance developing, it may be best not to dose fit ewes with single lambs. However, this is a complex subject: see Chapter 7 for more information, and discuss the matter with your vet as part of your flock health programme.

Lambing-Related Problems

Ringwomb

Ringwomb is when the cervix fails to dilate. The cause is unknown, though you often find ringwomb following vaginal prolapse when it comes to time for the ewe to lamb; it can occur spontaneously, too. These can be difficult cases to manage, for although it is possible to open some by gentle manipulation, others are unyielding and excessive force causes the cervix to tear with associated haemorrhage, which can be life-threatening. If it is not possible to dilate the cervix after some gentle manipulation it is best to consider having your vet carry out a caesarean operation.

Fig. 387 A retained placenta (you can tell by its dirty brown colour); however, it will come away on its own within a few days. If the ewe is ill, give her a course of antibiotics.

Fig. 388 A prolapsed cervix after lambing. It was contaminated with faeces and was difficult to replace and to keep in place.

Fig. 389 A fresh prolapsed uterus with the placenta still partially attached. Prompt treatment by your vet should give a good chance of survival.

Fig. 390 This ewe has died after a neglected prolapse of the uterus.

Metritis

Metritis is an infection of the uterus and may follow abortion, a difficult lambing where the lambs were dead and smelly, or an assisted lambing where hygiene was poor. The ewe is dull, off her food, and has a smelly vaginal discharge. Treatment with a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory injections is necessary.

Mastitis

Acute mastitis immediately around lambing is quite rare, in contrast with the situation in cattle. If the surroundings where the sheep are lambing are dirty, the teats of the ewes get contaminated allowing infection into the udder, so if acute mastitis is a concern at this stage, the state of the environment would be the first line of investigation.

Treatment would again involve injectable antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory drug, possibly with the addition of intramammary antibiotics. The most common type of mastitis seen at lambing is the end result of a subclinical udder infection during the previous lactation, or chronic mastitis that developed after weaning. Most of these ewes should have been picked out at the pre-tupping examination and culled, but some escape detection, only to find that no milk can be drawn from one half of the udder after lambing. If the ewe has more than one lamb the surplus one(s) should be removed, fed colostrum, and either fostered on to another ewe or reared artificially.

Fig. 391 Ewes that have had subclinical mastitis during the previous lactation may be difficult to detect and lamb down the next time with only half the udder functioning. A characteristic sign is the presence of a fibrous cord in the teat canal, so check the teat as well as the udder tissue.

Fig. 392 This sick-looking ewe has acute mastitis and needs urgent treatment to save her. The lambs will soon get hungry so need supplementing with artificial milk.