Lambing Course 2010 Wendy, Vet at Penbode Veterinary Group Karen, Lynher Training Kirk Family, Running a Sheep & Beef farm

Lambing Course 2010 Program 9:30-10:00 Welcome with Tea/Coffee 10:00-10:45Preparing lambing quarters 10:45-11:15 Signs of lambing 11:15-12:00Lambing & Difficulties 12:00-12:30Flock Records & Weighing 12:30-13:00Lunch 13:00-14:00 Care for ewe and lambs after lambing & hypothermia in lambs 14:00-14:20Orphan lambs & Fostering 14:20-14:40Castrating & Tailing 14:40-15:00Tea/Coffee break 15:00-16:00Hygiene and Health The program may need amending during the day, if a ewe needs assistance with lambing!

The lambing quarters

Have you got it all organised ?

What happens The Signs Normal lambing process Obstetrics Lambing

What happens close to lambing? Lamb matures and his adrenal gland produces cortisol –Lungs of the lamb mature –Ewe increases steroids and oestrogen Oestrogen stimulates –Contraction of the Uterus –Endometrium (uterus lining) to produce prostaglandin –Softening of the cervix »Prostaglandin stimulates uterus contraction Uterus contractions bring the legs in the pelvis –Reflex in the pelvis to ‘push’ and stimulate contractions –Reflex release of oxytocin (milk release, uterus contractions)

What can you see? Normal gestation: days (5 months – 10 days) From 6 weeks before lambing –Udder increases in size –Swelling of the udder –Yellow/brown secrete in the teats

What can you see? From 14 days to lambing –Udder secrete changes into colostrum –Some swelling of the vulva From 36 hours to lambing –Udder is tense, pink and filled with colostrum From 24 hours to lambing –Vulva may be more swollen and red coloured

What can you see? From 4-2 hours before lambing –Restlessness –Ewe separates from the group –Scratching of the floor with front feet –Interest in lambing fluids

What can you see? Ewe start to show abdominal contractions Within 3 hours the waterbag comes out (a bag with purple/red fluid) Within another hour contractions should increase and the lamb will be visible (two feet and a nose) The lamb should be born within the next hour and a half A second lamb should be born within 30 mins

A normal lambing Within an hour after the waterbag has come out, the feet and nose of the lamb are visible

A normal lambing

A second lamb is born within 30 mins. Afterbirth comes off within 2 hours after lambing, most ewes eat this

What can you see? Navel cord breaks Ewe licks the lambs and makes grumbling noises –(binding between ewe and lambs takes place) –Ewes are attracted to amnion fluids up to 3-5 hours after lambing This is the right time to foster any lambs

What can you see? Check the Kirk’s sheep! Which ewes are showing signs? – Follow them during the day! Note ewes close to lambing –Full udder (do not milk!) –Swollen vulva –Separating, restlessness, scratching behaviour Note ewes in labour –Abdominal contractions –Allantochorionic sac expulsion –Visible lamb (what is visible, is it a normal presentation?) –Contractions or expulsion of second or third lamb Note ewes after lambing –Binding behaviour (licking) –Afterbirth

When do you interfere? If the lambing does not progress –Ewe has been restless for > 4 hours (a little longer for 1 st time mothers) –Abdominal contractions for > 3 hours –No lamb visible over an hour after the waterbag has arrived Abnormal presentation of the lamb(s) Keep an extra eye on ewes that had a vaginal prolapse

What to do? Hold the ewe Wash the vulva Wash your hands and arms Lubricate your hands Gently feel… –Cervix is not open or not totally open Wait longer or phone vet –Stinking rotten discharge See what you can remove, or not (vet) –Abnormal presentation of the lamb(s) Reposition aid the lambing!

Abnormal Presentations Single lamb

Abnormal Presentations Two lambs