[Jacob-list] Worst Lambing Event

[Robert May]

GOOD MORNING JOY...GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOUR "WORST
LAMBING EXPERICNE" HAD A GOOD ENDING!  IMPORTANT
THING, AS YOU SAY, IS TO BE PREPARED AND DON'T
HESITATE TO INTERVENE WHEN YOU SENSE (OR THE EWE
OBVIOUSLY "TELLS" YOU THAT IT'S TIME TO ASSIST).

DEPENDING ON THE PERSONALITIES OF SOME OF OUR EWES,
I'VE OFTEN HAD TO PUT A HALTER ON THE EWE AND TIE HER
TO A GATE/FENCE/ETC., JUST TO BE ABLE TO "CHECK" HER.
OTHER EWES ARE SO GOOD NATURED AND "ACCEPTING", THAT I
CAN LIFT THEIR TAILS AND CHECK THEM WHILE THEY ARE
EATING.

REGARDS,
BOB MAY
SWAYZE INN FARM
HOPE, NJ
--- "Joy Thomas, SonRise Farm"
<shepherdofspots at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Golly - ya'all make my worst lambing event seem
> tame!
> 
> Was a new shepherd - brand new! Older ewe (MEH - you
> remember Cinnamon, don't you?) had given me a lovely
> ewe. Arrived while I was at church came home to find
> them. Figured gee, this is gonna be easy!! Two days
> later saw a ewe in pasture in obvious pain and
> distress. When I went outside her "come here now
> shepherd" cry was distinct, even to my new shepherd
> ears! Went out and saw her try to push - only ONE
> hoof! Cleaned hands in house, grabbed "the blue
> book"
> (Laura Lawson), emergency kit and my courage and
> went
> back to pasture. STILL only one hoof - lubricated
> and
> felt gently inside. Other front leg was bent back
> where leg joined body, but bent at an angle at knee
> so
> lamb couldn't get out. Was able between contractions
> to straighten leg - not sure how. Once leg was
> straight - out plopped the lamb - covered in orange
> mucus (which I now know is a sign that it had been a
> long and difficult labor). Ram was okay! Ewe was
> relieved! I was a mess - literally! 
> 
> WAS SO GLAD I had read the section on lambing
> problems, highlighted certain areas and had an
> emergency kit (lubricant, towels, aspirator for nose
> and mouth of lamb) ready BEFORE incident.
> 
> That was about 4 years ago - have had no challenges
> since. Learned one must be ready just in case!
> 
> Joy (who is eagerly awaiting our first lamb of 2005)
> 
> =====
> Joyce M. Thomas 
> Son Rise Farm & Rabbitry, Creedmoor NC
> Hand spun yarns, custom knit & triloom woven items
> www.shepherdofspots.com 
> 
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> 		
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