[Jacob-list] Worst Lambing Event

[Robert May]

GOOD MORNING MELANIE, ET ALS...

MY POINT IN RAISING THE SUBJECT AS A "TOPIC" FOR THE
"LIST" WAS NOT TO SCARE ANY ONE, BUT HOPEFULLY PROVIDE
SOME ENCOURAGEMENT AND EDUCATE THE NEW SHEPHERDS OUT
THERE.

MY "WORST" LAMBING EXPERIENCES HAVE NOT BEEN WITH OUR
JACOBS, BUT WITH OTHER SHEEP BREEDS THAT WE
HAD...PRIOR TO DISCOVERING THE WONDERFUL "JACOB".

IN THE 10 YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN RAISING JACOBS, WE'VE
PROBABLY HAD SOMETHING LIKE 200 LAMBS BORN, AND IF I
DIDN'T GENTLY TUG ON A 'BREECH LAMB' THE OTHER DAY
(JUST TWO LEGS STICKING OUT) I COULD SAY "ALL
UNASSISTED".

STILL FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS, WE
CAN AGREE THAT THEY ARE "RARE" INSTANCES.  THE POINT
IS THAT, WE SHOULD ALL BE "READY" FOR LAMBING AND
PREPARED TO ASSIST IF AND WHEN NEEDED.

SO, ALL TAKE COMFORT OUT THERE IN KNOWING THAT YOUR
JACOB EWES WILL LIKELY DROP THEIR LAMBS, UNASSISTED.

REGARDS,
BOB MAY
SWAYZE INN FARM
HOPE, NJ.
SWAYZE INN FARM


--- Melanie Boxall <melanie.boxall at sympatico.ca>
wrote:

> Guys, guys, stop scaring me! I haven't had to assist
> yet, they've always 
> done it by themselves before I got there.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Joy Thomas, SonRise Farm"
> <shepherdofspots at yahoo.com>
> To: "jacob-list" <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
> Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 10:12 AM
> Subject: [Jacob-list] Worst Lambing Event
> 
> 
> > 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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