So here is Minwawe Chicklet, a grey flecket ewe, and her two new fine sons, either black flecket or gray, like mom-- too early to tell yet. They may both be gray-- but we'll see.
Chicklet's the one who tried to mother up Elsie's newborns, until she inexplicably produced two of her own to take care of, and then felt all better. One of her rams had a "leg back" at the shoulder (for non-shepherds, that means NOT the normal birth position of chin and nose resting atop toes of two front feet; here, one leg is forward, one back along the body). This was the second time I experienced this type of birth, the first being only 10 days ago. The books say: push the baby back inside, bring the 2nd leg forward, pull the legs out front together. I say, you expect me to get my hand next to that baby in that tight passageway? I just pulled the one leg and head together, and baby boy slipped right out, leg back and all.
But maybe that only works well when the ewe's already enlarged by the first delivery.
Anyway, I think I'm learning.
Second picture: little katmoget baby May, out in the grass with the big sheep. Pretty darned cute. Her mama tells her to keep away from us, although her mama loves us.
I don't understand.
4 comments:
It must be the year for one leg back presentations! We've had three born that way this year - all singles. All were delivered as presented very varying levels of difficulty - mostly having to do with the size of the lamb. Ron Parker's "The Sheep Book" (which I read after the second one) says don't bother pushing the baby back in and looking for the other leg. And I think that's the best advice.
Hoping you get more ewe lambs too.
Oh goodness, Becky! Singles! So my theory that getting them out with the leg back was easier because they were the 2nd of twins wasn't nec. true-- glad to hear Mr. Parker agreed with the method I found easiest.
Well good for you and me both we were around to assist and it worked, eh? Wow, I still can't believe you had 3! And that in my 3rd year of lambing I saw this many odd situations, when never before.
Gail, your lambs are so cute. I love that little Kat lamb. After having my first one here this spring too, I think I love them best now. :)
Way to go Gail! What an excellent shepherd you've become. I'm with you on not 'going in' if there is ANY possible alternative!
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