Waiting for first lambs: worse than being pregnant?

faegood

Chillin' with the herd
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
5
Reaction score
13
Points
41
Hey, all- we have a very small flock of Tunis here in rural NC. This December, we brought Neville the Ram home to breed our 2 girls, and according to the bright blue mating crayon, he was successful. They sure LOOK pregnant, but the date has passed for expected lambs from Ethyl. She appears to have dropped, as her belly is lower and she seems to have a bit of a waist now, which definitely wasn't the case a week ago. But I am losing my mind, checking for all the things- and I expect it's like false labor was for me: if you have to think things MIGHT be happening, they probably aren't.

Anyway. Just posting in hopes that (like bringing an umbrella)- this will be the magic that gets everything rolling. Our second ewe's date is 8th-12th. Fingers crossed.
 

Sheepshape

Herd Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2012
Messages
1,706
Reaction score
3,095
Points
373
Well....let's hope things happen.

Can you take pics. of their rear ends, tail raised if it is long enough, to show the vulva and udder? (Yes, I know, but us sheep folk can guess best when we see the 'business end' as to if/when they are going to produce).

Watch out for other signs of impending lambing.....seeking solitude, going off their food, and finally, pawing the ground.(some ewes don't do ANY of these, but most do)

Good luck.
 

faegood

Chillin' with the herd
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
5
Reaction score
13
Points
41
Thanks :) - I'll take some more-recent photos today. I suspect that they weren't actually bred the first time Neville attempted (new job and all), so we're really looking at their second heat cycle as the lift-off date.

No significant udder yet, swollen but not floppy vulva. First time, though- apparently they're less floppy for that (I hate these terms).

~fgg
 

Ridgetop

Herd Master
Joined
Mar 13, 2015
Messages
6,572
Reaction score
22,275
Points
693
Location
Shadow Hills, CA
"Floppy Vulva" is a definite sheep term on this site! LOL

After breeding I always do a count and show future possible dates on the calendar just in case the first breeding was not fertile. If Neville (love the name) was not with any other ewes before breeding these ewes he may have been shooting blanks for the first go round.

Don't worry about missing the first due date, Keep watching and mark the next date down. My ewes have been known to be late or hit on the second breeding and my son always argues about me wanting to turn them back out of the jugs to graze. He is usually right. If I do it anyway, we have lambs in the gully :mad: ! If I don't I get to hear "I told you so". There are benefits and down sides to having children that grew up with livestock breeding!

They are bred, and eventually will lamb. Just keep an eye on them for their next due date about 2 weeks off the first date. Good luck!
 

WildersMilkMaid

Overrun with beasties
Joined
May 30, 2020
Messages
54
Reaction score
73
Points
83
Location
North Carolina
I have goats but I can relate... waiting for babies is definitely worse than being pregnant! At least when you’re pregnant you “feel” different when your time is near. Hard to ask the sheep if they feel any different hehe. Best of luck with the lambing!
 

Ridgetop

Herd Master
Joined
Mar 13, 2015
Messages
6,572
Reaction score
22,275
Points
693
Location
Shadow Hills, CA
LOL! Also another specific sheep term!

I particularly like how both sheep and got will hold their breath when you sneak out to look at them. It makes you think they are in labor! Then as I walk away I would swear I hear them snickering!
 
Top