This is our first year with our Dorper/Katahdin sheep. Our 11month old ewe just birthed stillborn twins. We do not know how far along she was, but the lambs seem decent size. Is there any way to determine what went wrong? Also, will her body pass the placenta like it would in a normal birth or should we be concerned that tissue has been left inside?
Ewe birthed stillborn twins
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Britgoes2market
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Are you willing to post photos of the lambs?
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My husband will get photos for me to post. I have an rejected lamb that we have been feeding and having in the house because he was not staying warm. Do you think the ewe might take him if we rub the lambs on him and put them together?
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SageHill
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Aw dam. So sorry. I don't have any answers to your questions. I'm sure others will be able to answer.
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Britgoes2market
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That is so sad! I'm sorry 
I too do not have answers.
I too do not have answers.
Ridgetop
Herd Master
Don't pull the placenta, it will come out on its own. If you try to pull it out it could break off and a part be retained. If she is crying for her lambs, you can try putting the sac from the one that is still in it on the rejected lamb to see if she will accept him. Does she have any milk? See if you can tie her up and get him to suck. You might get lucky and get her to accept him. How old is he?
All the lambs look small. Pretty colors. Such a shame. Since you didn't know how far along she was, they might have come slightly early. Also depending on the part of the country you are in and the type of hay or grazing they had they might have been low on selenium or some other essential mineral that would cause them to be born early or very weak. Call your vet and ask who would perform a necropsy on the triplets.
Having triplets at 11 months old is a lot for such a young ewe. However the fact that she cleaned them up, is a sign that next time she is bred she will be a successful mom.
All the lambs look small. Pretty colors. Such a shame. Since you didn't know how far along she was, they might have come slightly early. Also depending on the part of the country you are in and the type of hay or grazing they had they might have been low on selenium or some other essential mineral that would cause them to be born early or very weak. Call your vet and ask who would perform a necropsy on the triplets.
Having triplets at 11 months old is a lot for such a young ewe. However the fact that she cleaned them up, is a sign that next time she is bred she will be a successful mom.
Baymule
Herd Master
Aww, what a disappointment. Sorry about the lost lambs.
Never pull on the placenta or let a dog approach to lick on it. A dog may tug on it, causing it to tear. A retained placenta will cause infection.
You should find the placenta in the morning if she hasn’t passed it already. Watch for sign of infection, droopy, listless, an icky discharge. She should be ok, just keep an eye on her.
Never pull on the placenta or let a dog approach to lick on it. A dog may tug on it, causing it to tear. A retained placenta will cause infection.
You should find the placenta in the morning if she hasn’t passed it already. Watch for sign of infection, droopy, listless, an icky discharge. She should be ok, just keep an eye on her.
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Sorry for the loss. I see no hair & believe a little preemie. One may have separated early, causing the birthing. Hope you can graft the one into her 
Others have given good info.
Others have given good info.
