Lambing 2019. Warning, birthing images!

We decided to birth the sheep in the implement shed and lawn pen like last year as then it would be warm and dry rather than subjected to what ever the weather was on the day. Below is a photo of one of the two pens we set up.

Nutmeg was first to deliver and we knew from the scan that she was having twins.

Nutmeg was uncomfortable all day in the paddock, so we bought her up to the lawn pen on dark. She was very grumpy and didn't want to be patted or touched.

When we bought her around to the shed, she become friendly just as her water broke.

Soon after we could see a hoof.

At 8.45pm she delivered her first ram lamb

At 9.15pm the 2nd lamb was born with assistance as just his head came out without feet.

The lambs were 3 days early and weighed 3.87kg and 3.19kg.

Below they are having their first drink of colostrum.

During all of this Mint had started first stage labour at 5am that same day. Normally first stage labour would last 6-12 hours. Mint didn't read the literature and her first stage labour lasted 4 days. We got the vet out to check her after 48 hours to make sure nothing was twisted. She was given some pain relief and we waited.

Inca our cat decided to keep her company. She had time in the paddock and the shed.

Finally on Thursday 29th August she started pushing. The lambs came soon after her water had broken. We knew from the scan that she was having triplets so we were prepared.

She was so exhausted she just laid down and pushed each lamb out. Thankfully all were normal presentations and we were there to pop them in front of her to lick as she didn't get up.

This is a great photo of Mints 3rd lamb. Her water bag didn't break. Luckily I was there to do that :-)

Mint washing her first 2 lambs.

Mint enjoying a good feed of grass late afternoon, after having her lambs at 12.40pm female 3.76kg, 12.48pm male 4.66kg and 1.05pm female 3.50kg.

She did so well, we were very proud of her.

We helped them find her teats to get some of her very thick golden colostrum and we also topped up the lambs with Jumpstart colostrum as 3 is a lot to feed.

Mike and I had a couple of weeks to catch up on some sleep before the next 2 ewes were due. I will write another blog to tell you about them :-)