Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
All Four Legs Presented at Once
If the hind legs can be reached as easily as
the front, deliver by the hind legs so you
don't have to reposition the head. If you
choose the front legs, the head must also
be maneuvered into the correct birthing
position along with the legs. Attach cords
to the legs before pushing back to posi-
tion the head.
Four legs at once
Twins Coming Out Together
When you have too many feet in the birth
canal, try to sort them out, tying strings
on the two front legs of the same lamb
and tracing the legs back to the body to
make sure it is the same lamb, then posi-
tion the head before pulling. Push the
second lamb back a little to make room
for delivery of the fi rst one.
Twins, One Coming Out Backward
When twins are coming out together, one
and sometimes both may be reversed. It
is often easier to fi rst pull out the one that
is reversed. If both are reversed, pull the
lamb that is closer to the opening. Very
rarely, the head of one twin is presented
between the forelegs of the other twin, a
confusing situation.
Twins coming out together
When to Call the Veterinarian
If a ewe is obviously in distress, has
labored for more than an hour and made
no progress, or you cannot get the lamb
into proper position for delivery, then it's
time to call the veterinarian. You're paying for this doctor's services, so be
sure to learn all you can. They don't ordinarily explain things unless you ask
questions and show an interest.
Twins, one backward
