Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
When repositioning a lamb to change an abnormal position, avoid break-
ing the umbilical cord. When the umbilical cord breaks, the lamb will attempt
to breathe; this causes it to suck amniotic fl uid into its lungs. Rarely do these
lambs live through birth — most often they drown in the birth canal. The odd
one that survives birth will suffer from mechanical pneumonia and often dies
within a day.
When helping, time your pulling to coordinate with the ewe's labor con-
tractions. If she is tired and has stopped trying, she will usually start again
when you start pulling on the lamb.
Ringwomb
Ringwomb, or the failure of the cervix to dilate properly, is a fairly common
cause of problems during lambing. Under normal circumstances, the cervix
softens and dilates concurrently with the uterine contractions, but in ring-
womb the contractions start without softening and dilation of the cervix.
There are several possible causes for ringwomb, such as infections, hypocal-
cemia, and high concentrations of estrogenic compounds in feeds.
Ringwomb will generally require a veterinarian's involvement, with cesar-
ean delivery being the most common approach. If you can't get a veterinarian
out, you may be able to stretch the cervix manually with your fi ngers.
Lamb Positions
The good news is that the overwhelming majority of lambs come in the nor-
mal, front-feet-fi rst position and require no help. But the following section
reviews the problems you may encounter and provides some guidance on how
to deal with them if you do.
Normal Birth
The nose and both front feet are presented, and the lamb's back is toward the
ewe's back. It should start to come out half an hour to an hour after the ewe
has passed the water bag. This is the most common position (thankfully), and
the ewe should need no help unless the lamb is large or has a large head or
shoulder (see next position).
Large head or shoulders (tight delivery).
Even with the lamb in normal
position, if it's extra large or the ewe has a small pelvic opening, the ewe may
need help. For large shoulders, use a gentle outward and downward pulling
action. Pull to the left or the right, so the shoulders go through at more of an
angle and thus more easily.
