[Jacob-list] Whoops Babies born!

[Gotothewhip at aol.com]

I don't know if anyone remembers the post I made about a month ago,  worrying 
that one of my older ewes was bred accidentally..
 
I bought the flock Feb 17, 2007 from OK. All of the yearling or older  ewes 
were supposed to be bred... But the owner told me, that some of the ewes  were 
older.. and may be open.
 
We hauled them home in a large trailer (20 head + Llama)  We purchase  3 
rams, but only had 3 compartments..and some of the rams did not get along well  
with others...
 
We put the 2 rams that liked one another together with the ewes that they  
had bred.. and the non-social ram in with the ewes he had bred.
 
Shortly after getting them home.. we started lambing.  The non-social  ram 
needed a friend.. so we put one of the ewes that looked less close to  lambing 
in with him.  (We put this ewe in with the ram on 3-14-07) We  quickly figured 
out that she was not at all bred.  But I wasn't too  concerned as the 
consensus said that Jacob ewes did not breed out of  season.  I also guessed that this 
older ewe.. who was very thin when we got  her.. was likely not cycling 
anymore due to age and body condition.  We  pulled her out of the ram stall on 
3-28-07 when we shipped the ram to my parents  house to hang out until we needed 
him.
 
Last month this same older ewe begins bagging.. Also wanted to note that  
this old gal had a pretty rough spring, and had significant dental work done as  
she had 2 abscessed teeth removed.  She was REALLY packing weight on and  then 
started bagging.. and we thought Uh-OH!
 
Well... Today she lambed.  a healthy set of twins.. I had to assist as  we 
had some legs tangled.. but it was a minor assist and uneventful.... Im PROUD  
to announce.. we no longer can say we had a 100% ram lamb crop as WE HAVE A EWE 
 LAMB!!!!!!!!!!!  She has PERFECT markings and appears to be a lilac as she  
is shady around her eyes.
 
Now ... going by the dates... I calculate that she is at 149 days since we  
bought the flock in OK and hauled them here on Feb 17-18,2007... SO that means  
SHE WAS BRED IN THE TRAILER here!   as otherwise...if we calculate  when I 
put her in with the ram to be a buddy.. She would have delivered at 122  or less 
days.  Knowing that sheep Gestation is 144-151 days.. I'm assuming  that she 
was bred during her trailer ride!  What a small and stressful  window!
 
Both lams are doing well as is Momma.  We are giving Momma a  precautionary 
dose of Penicillin for 5 days.
 
I'm a bit concerned as the 1st lamb had a orange/DARK yellowy sack... Can  
someone remind me what is the cause of this?  I know it means the ewe was  
stressed.. Correct????  But isn't there a cause?  Milk fever or  Ketosis??? 
 
 
We are definitely learning our way thru things this year!  
 
Jennifer Tucker
Moose Mtn Ranch
Bennett, CO



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