I had to lamb a ewe this morning. I'd been up in the night to check on her but she wasn't ready until about nine this morning when it took me about half an hour to catch her! (they don't know what's good for them!).
I got her in because I could see she was struggling. She was a big ewe and the lambs were going to be whoppers. I started to lamb her straight away.
The first took some serious pulling out, and I didn't want to rush it and hurt her so after about five minutes he came out but a little dopey from the journey! The second was much harder as he had his head back. It took me ages to get his head back round as each time I got near to rearranging him she would push again and I'd be back to where I started. I eventually managed to turn him round inside her enough to get my hand on the one side of his head to line him up. Grabbing both feet then I pulled him out, checking all the time that the head was still in the right place.
I think both the ewe and I were shattered afterwards. By the time I got the lamb out I was out of breath and I was sweating, even though the frost was still on the ground and I was just still in a T shirt.
At least it was a positive outcome to this lambing! Both lambs are up and out in the field now.
oh Kev - what an experience! and i learn so much from your posts and icky videos. but i am so glad that you, the mother and the babies are ok.
ReplyDeletesending much love, your friend,
kymber
So glad that everything went well!
ReplyDeleteWell done. I wonder if they think of you as a midwife?
ReplyDeleteNice work Kev, we'll done
ReplyDeletewhy is it that sheep seem to have such a hard time with lambing and need so much help with it? If they were in the wild I guess they'd all die before they gave birth....
ReplyDeletewell done Kev you must be getting near the end of lambing now :-)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant result, well done to you ... and the ewe.
ReplyDeleteObviously your previous midwifery experience prepared you well! How is your gorgeous son these days?
ReplyDeleteWell done to both of you! Great reading.
ReplyDeleteLooks like all four of you were a smidge bit exhausted when all was said and done. The ewe has you to thank for this birth!
ReplyDeleteit sure is a miracle Kev, but i am glad i no longer have to do that any more
ReplyDeleteI well remember the first time I had to do that - it was on Mother's Day, years ago, and the kids always remind me of it. The lamb was my favourite, Bleat, and we kept her until she went to the big pasture in the sky last autumn, aged 12. Although she never had twins, she was a good mother, always had strong lambs, and was the matriarch of my little flock. Great satisfaction, lambing.
ReplyDelete