Help me determine is my sheep have started “showing” in their pregnancies

[Baymule]

Of course this would happen when you are already on pins and needles, anxiously waiting on babies! At 27 hours, heave a big sigh of relief, you did good. They will be fine.

 

[MMGardens]

Of course this would happen when you are already on pins and needles, anxiously waiting on babies! At 27 hours, heave a big sigh of relief, you did good. They will be fine.

I know!! They are so rude to me!


Thank you!

We are past 36 hrs now and all still is well

My girl who showed more changes yesterday was missing this morning and I was sure I was gonna get a baby, but alas she just was off by herself eating lol

 

[blessedfarmgirl]

The waiting and not knowing due dates is so hard! I've been SURE a ewe was going to lamb so many times only for them to wait an entire week longer. They just love to keep us guessing! At least they have to let the hostages out eventually lol.

 

[Baymule]

I have 2, Granny and Frimplepants, that seem to have lambing backwards. I think ninja sneakies have shoved another lamb down the chute, they are HUGE! Every morning and every night I check on them, plus multiple times during the day. They expect animal crackers, tummy rubs, good will, peace on earth….. I’m about to strangle them……

 

[MMGardens]

I have 2, Granny and Frimplepants, that seem to have lambing backwards. I think ninja sneakies have shoved another lamb down the chute, they are HUGE! Every morning and every night I check on them, plus multiple times during the day. They expect animal crackers, tummy rubs, good will, peace on earth….. I’m about to strangle them……

Of course


This is little bit off topic, but what kind of hay do you guys feed over the winter for pregnant and lactating ewes? I have Bahia hay and alfalfa hay, and have planted rye and crop cover mixes for supplemental winter grazing. Will this be enough for their nutritional needs likely? Or do I need to do something else too?

 

[SageHill]

Mine get straight alfalfa. But I'm in So Cal so that's pretty easy for us to get.

 

[MMGardens]

Mine get straight alfalfa. But I'm in So Cal so that's pretty easy for us to get.

Thanks! I have two that aren’t bred so I thought I should have some regular hay for them so they don’t get fat lol, the others I do intend for them to eat just alfalfa and grazing, just making sure that should be good enough

 

[MMGardens]

I’ve got another question

I have one ewe that came to me without much history (as they all did) who one back leg is smaller than all her others and as she’s gotten farther in her pregnancy she’s begun to limp a bit. I’ve checked her feet and legs multiple times and can’t find anything wrong. Today she’s limping very badly and will lay down and keep stretching out that leg and kinda biting at it.

My assumption was that the weight of baby and baby descending into pelvis was just bothering her more than usual, and the ligaments relaxing for birth may be letting that hip bother her more. Her hip where the leg is smaller (right side) is not as well muscled which led me to believe she was either born this way or an old injury


is there something else that would likely be wrong I should be looking for? I’m going to call my vet tomorrow as today is Sunday, but just don’t want to ignore something I should be more worried about

 

[Mini Horses]

And tomorrow is a holiday, Veterans day. Not all places close but --

I would think as you are in situation you describe. Lot of extra weight, set her off balance, strain on weak muscle, etc.

Do you have any comfrey or plantain growing there? If so give her a few leaves. If not, some aspirin a couple times a day. Dissolve in water or put into a pocket of bread if she'll eat that. Most of my goats will fight for bread! Just some light pain relief.

 

[Baymule]

Your hay and winter grass sounds ok. My winter grass is finally coming up, it should’ve been big enough to graze on by now, but drought. It finally rained.

You might want to add some white ball clover along with the rye grass. Put out baking soda when they graze it to prevent bloat.