Lambing Course 2010

Wendy, Vet at Penbode Veterinary GroupWendy, Vet at Penbode Veterinary GroupKaren, Lynher TrainingKaren, Lynher TrainingKirk Family, Running a Sheep & Beef farmKirk Family, Running a Sheep & Beef farm

Lambing Course 2010Program• 9:30-10:00 Welcome with Tea/Coffee• 10:00-10:45 Preparing lambing quarters• 10:45-11:15 Signs of lambing• 11:15-12:00 Lambing & Difficulties• 12:00-12:30 Flock Records & Weighing• 12:30-13:00 Lunch• 13:00-14:00 Care for ewe and lambs after lambing &

hypothermia in lambs• 14:00-14:20 Orphan lambs & Fostering• 14:20-14:40 Castrating & Tailing• 14:40-15:00 Tea/Coffee break• 15:00-16:00 Hygiene and Health

The program may need amending during the day, if a ewe needs assistance with

lambing!

The lambing quarters

The lambing quarters

Have you got it all organised ?

What happensThe Signs

Normal lambing processObstetrics

LambingLambing

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: 141-148 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 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 1st 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 PresentationsTwo lambs