Our first pregnant ewe

SCLeppyLvr

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I have a few questions... My daughter and I are dealing with our first pregnant ewe, she has a first year ewe due in about a week? She was bred around November 14th we think. She was taken back to the ranch we bought her from and bred to their new ram, so we don't know the actual date she was marked but the ranch owner said between the 13th a.m. and 15th p.m.

Question #1. when should we be expecting her to lamb? What are the signs?
#2. being her first ever pregnancy how many could she have? she isn't very big right now belly wise.
#3. having no experience other than with horses who pretty much do it on their own, do we need to be watching constantly?
#4. my daughter has a friend who has a lot of experience lambing and raising sheep, do we need to ask him to be on call?
#5. how long does a typical first lambing take?
and for now finally #6. what are some things we need to watch for if she is in distress or having problems delivering?
 

SheepGirl

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1. Based on the Nov. 14 breeding date, you can start to expect lambs on May 4 (142 days). The ewe will bag up, her abdomen will become wider, and her vulva will become swollen and pink.

2. More than likely just one. You may have a prolific ewe that will have two her first time. Of course it depends on her age. We had a ewe bred at two years old for the first time have twins, then triplets, and then a single. Our ewes bred as lambs or yearlings tend to have just one.

3. Most sheep lamb on their own. I've never had to assist with a lambing prior to this year when four out of my six needed assistance. My 2006 ewe needed help for the first time this year, she had delivered 12 lambs with no problems but needed help with her 13th--he was coming backwards with legs back. Just keep an eye on her just in case, this has been a weird year for a lot of shepherds.

4. You can call him if you need help.

5. Depends on the ewe. Some are naturally fast, others are naturally slow. Others are average. If they aren't making progress after one to one and a half hours you may need to intervene.

6. No progress, malpresented lambs (you should see feet first and then a nose. A live delivery will suck your finger on its way out.
 

SCLeppyLvr

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So new questions...

She is getting more tired it seems like she is always lying down.
Her breathing is heavier and she doesn't greet us at the gate (or at least me) when it's time for feeding. She used to trot along the fence and then eat from the bucket as you walked to her feeder up until about a week ago.
she doesn't want me to touch her, I couldn't get closer than 3 feet to her tonight

are these normal signs that she is getting closer also?
 

SheepGirl

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Could be a sign that something isn't right also... try catching her and taking her temp. Also smell her breath.
 

SCLeppyLvr

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Well unfortunately a ram lamb was delivered stillborn last night. Ewe seems fine no other lambs giving her penicillin tonight just to be safe
 
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