Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Head Coming Out Before One or Both Legs
In this case, either one or both of the legs are bent back.
One leg back.
To change this position to a normal birth position, attach
a snare cord or a lamb puller behind the ears and inside the mouth and a
second cord to the one leg that is com-
ing out. Then push the head and the pro-
truding leg back enough to enable you
to bring the retained leg forward so you
can pull the lamb out in normal posi-
tion. The cord on the head is important,
for the head may drop out of the pelvic
girdle, making it diffi cult to get it back
in again.
Set the ewe so she's lying on the side
that has the leg out properly and the
turned-back leg is on top. This makes it a little easier to get the turned-back
leg into the correct position. Usually, once you've got that leg straightened
out, the birth proceeds quickly.
Two legs back.
To correct this position, attach the lamb puller onto the
head. Try to bring down one leg into position, then the other, without pushing
the head back any farther than necessary. Attach a noose of cord onto each leg
as you get it out, then pull the lamb.
If your hand cannot pass the head to reach the legs, elevate the ewe's hind
end, which gives you more space. A hay bale, or metal garbage can, can be
used as a prop. With the snare over the lamb's head, push the head back until
you are able to reach past it and bring the front legs forward, one at a time.
Put the ewe back into the normal reclining position, start the head and legs
through the pelvic arch, and pull gently downward.
One leg back
Both Legs Presented, with Head Turned Back
This is one of the most diffi cult malpresentations to deal with and often
requires a cesarean section to get the lamb out. The head may be turned back
to one side along the lamb's body or down between its front legs. If the front
legs are showing, slip a noose of heavy cord over each front leg, then push the
lamb back until you can insert a lubricated hand and feel for the head posi-
tion. Then bring the head forward into its normal position. With a noose on
the legs, you won't lose them. While pulling gently in a downward direction
on the legs, guide the head so that it passes through the opening of the pelvic
