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#LAMBMETRICS for the day

Drysdale & English Leicester Flocks

Born today: 6
Total Lambs Born: 26
Drysdale lambs (live total): [no purebreds in 2019]
DrysdaleX lambs (total): 16
English Leicester lambs (live total): 10
Total Sets of Twins born: 6
Total Sets of Triplets born: 0
Total ewe lambs: 12
Total ram lambs: 14
Ewes lambed /68: 20 (29.4 %)
Lamb % : 130 % [live]
Assisted/Dystocias: 3
Losses: 0

Notable Midwifery tales:

It’s starting to get to the Critical Mass stage now. (Also called “Chasing Your Tail”) Where the number of new lambs starts to blur slightly when you still have ewe/lambs in the shed due to issues that mean you want to keep an eye on them. The Shepherdess’s state of mind suffers slightly too when it’s realised a tag number has been recorded incorrectly or a ewe’s tag and so the subsequent tags are affected! Argh!

One of the set of twins that was born yesterday (pictured above) is being supplemented due to their mum not appearing to have quite enough milk at this stage. Hopefully her milk will come in over the next few days!

Other dramas including an English Leicester ewe who decided to turn on her lamb when the Shepherdess put a coat on it because it was shivering a bit! Unfortunately, the ewe head butted the lamb then fell on it in her haste to try and knock it over. Fingers crossed the lamb will be okay. Poor thing was a wee bit miserable after that (and yes, the coat was taken off and the pair put back in the shed.) Have never had a problem really before with the ewes not accepting the lambs wearing coats but this year have now had two ewes turn on their lambs. A real nuisance!

One maiden Drysdale ewe needed a little bit of a hand this afternoon. Being new to the midwifery unit she didn’t realise she was supposed to stay still while the lamb is assisted. This meant that a restraint needed to be employed to relieve her of the “obstruction”. Usually something more commonly used with the Merino ewes rather than the Drysdales. (Merino ewes being notoriously bad mothers)
Once the lamb had been delivered safely it was placed in front of the ewe so she could start the bonding process by licking it. It didn’t happen instantly – not uncommon with assisted births – so the restraints are important to stop the ewe running away and abandoning the lamb. As can be seen below, she loves her lamb now!

#LAMBMETRICS for the day

Drysdale & English Leicester Flocks

Born today: 9
Total Lambs Born: 20
Drysdale lambs (live total): [no purebreds in 2019]
DrysdaleX lambs (total): 14
English Leicester lambs (live total): 6
Total Sets of Twins born: 5
Total Sets of Triplets born: 0
Total ewe lambs: 10
Total ram lambs: 10
Ewes lambed /68: 15 (22 %)
Lamb % : 133 % [live]
Assisted/Dystocias: 2
Losses: 0

Notable Midwifery tales:

Well. It was on for young and old today! Finally got the “rush” of lambs that has been threatened for weeks. Seven ewes resulting in nine lambs.

First up in the morning we found that Paris and Minty (full sisters of Gilbert) had both lambed. Nawwww. 

Two English Leicester ewes had also lambed a single lamb each. One ended up in the shed immediately as her teats were a bit blocked and her lamb needed assistance to get a drink of the all-vital colostrum.

The other young ewe had her first lamb and he’s a sturdy lad.

There was a another DrysdaleX ewe who has lost a few demerit points today after not being “easy going”. Protective is one thing – trying to kneecap the Shepherdess is another!!

Later in the afternoon it was noticed that the “wide-load” English Leicester ewe looked like finally getting the show on the road. Another young ewe also looked likely. The old ewe lambed first and the young ewe wanted it. Said lamb was used to get both ewes into the shed. Eyebrows were raised that old wide-load ewe only had one but the second came along nearly an hour later. He was looking a bit stressed but he’s coming good.

The young ewe however was…. tight. Very tight. Lamb in the right position but just a little bit squeezy. Twenty minutes later a strapping lass was relieved from her uncomfortable situation. Mother and daughter (and Shepherdess!) took a few deep breaths!
Lamb is now drinking well. 🙂 🙂

After all that excitement for the day it’s about time to go to sleep ….

Wonder what tomorrow will bring?