Sheep

[sadieml]

I have no sheep, just 2 pygmy boys, so I'm no help at all. Just wanted to welcome you to the site (I was a lurker for years before finally joining after we got our goatie boys.) I'm sure you'll get all the help you need from these AWESOME folks. Also, never forget, we love pictures, the more the better. We are pic addicts and NEED as many as possible.

 

[bonbean01]

Welcome to BYH and welcome to the wonderful world of sheep!!!

My oldest ewe Dolly is coming on 9 years old and has had many lambs...her udder is "saggy" as in needs a bra...LOL...I have to feel it to determine if she is producing some milk in there or if the udder is empty. She has a little bit started in there, but has a way to go if she is preggo. Side to side she is nicely filled out, but then she always is...my gals like to eat For her at this age it is a wait and see...I really don't know for sure.

Hoping your ewe is preggo and that you are blessed with beautiful babies

 

[Nicola]

She does have a young wether with her

 

[Nicola]

She has a young wether with her. I will try to upload a pic of them. Is there a particular time of year that they lamb? I live in Australia.

 

[Nicola]

She has a young wether with her. I will try to upload a pic of them. Is there a particular time of year that they lamb? I live in Australia.

 

[Latestarter]

Typically they go into heat in the fall and deliver in the spring. There IS some overlap depending on how early or late they go into heat. With goats, they cycle about every 18-21 days over a (typically) 4-6 month period... Aug/Sep through Jan-Feb (northern hemisphere of course). Since gestation is ~150 days you can't really tell when they'll lamb unless you have some idea of when they settled.

If you don't know when the ram got her, about the only thing you can do is watch her udder and vulva. generally her udder will start to fill out and enlarge a month or less before delivery. When the vulva starts to swell and get redish you're getting close... maybe a week or less. When you start seeing discharge, depending on color and consistency as well as quantity, that also indicates getting close.

Generally, they'll get less and less comfortable and may paw the ground or try to make a hay nest or constantly be up and down, their appetite may change... I'm just passing on what I've heard/read as I don't own sheep or goats yet. I hope this helps some. Sorry I couldn't be more specific

http://www.sheep101.info/lambing.html

 

[Latestarter]

Just found some more on another site that sheep cycle about every 17 days and stay "hot" for about 30 hours. Also, sheep raised near the equator (no noticeable seasons/shortening of the day/light) may be able to cycle year round...

 

[Nicola]

She has a young wether with her. I will try to upload a pic of them. Is there a particular time of year that they lamb? I live in Australia.

 

[Nicola]

 

[norseofcourse]

Nice sheep - and I am envious of how green and growing things look there! Winter has started here, although it's been unusually mild so far.

The time of year sheep will lamb varies depending on the time of year they are able to come into heat. Do you know what dates she was with a ram? If you have starting and ending dates, that can at least narrow down your time frame.

A straight-on picture can help, too - either directly from the front or rear. If you can, take one on a regular basis, like once a week or two weeks, so you can see the development.