Spring time is lambing time! (Pic Heavy)

Hi all,

Back again from another one of my little absences! Time is flying by. Only one more term (examination term, depressingly ;)) of university left for this year, and then I'll be a grizzled and haggard third year veterinary student.

I thought I would post a few photos you will likely enjoy - a few shots from my recent lambing placement. I first stayed with this wonderful farmer and his family in Camarthenshire, Wales, last year as a first year student, pretty much new to sheep husbandry in all respects. I loved it so much that I went back for this lambing season, and this time took my camera along. Now, I was primarily taking photographs of a veterinary and agricultural interest, which I of course will not be posting here. I did however get chance to snap a few scenes of the lighter side of lambing!

Hope you enjoy them, and make you feel in the mood for spring!

I'll start with a few of the breeds. Most of the flock were of Welsh Mountain type. They are a pretty, small-ish breed, the ewes of which generally make excellent mothers. Some of the stock were lambing outdoors although most were brought in, which was primarily where I was based to help out.
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Here's a Welsh Lamb only 10 minutes old (and still a little slimy!)

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It isn't long before the lamb will attempt to take its first steps, with some encouragement from mum.

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This is the typical posture, known colloquially as 'star-gazing', of a ewe undergoing her final contractions. It was for me, I found, like trying to develop a sixth sense in knowing when the ewe is doing OK herself, and when to intervene. In this case, she delivered her lamb herself. without complications. :)

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A happy ewe!

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Ewes that have twins, or triplets, are penned overnight with their lambs to ensure both lambs get a good feed of colostrum, and that the ewe bonds with all her lambs instead of favouring one.

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It can be a task in itself learning the language of animal marker! There were several different symbols sprayed onto the fleece indicating the animal's age, health, and lambs carried. This ewe has marks which tell us she is an old ewe (a broker) and was scanned as having twin lambs.

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More pictures coming...

Once we are satisfied that the ewe and the lambs are healthy, they are turned out firstly to a paddock for observation, and then into the field for grazing, and peace from interfering humans!

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The scenery around the farm was idyllic, and this picture of the hills in the background doesn't really do it justice. The nearest neighbours were a good drive away, and the road was only wide enough for one car at a time. The wildlife in the area was abundant, with buzzards and red kites often flying overhead. I was lucky with the weather and during both seasons the sun was almost always out, and I avoided the famed Welsh rain!

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This is a ewe wearing a prolapse harness that I had just fitted to her. It is relatively common for ewes to prolapse prior to lambing (and occasionally after lambing, which is far more serious). The harness is a fairly new product that is easy to apply and comfortable for the animal. We put so many on this year that we ran out!

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More pictures coming...

This was a little highlight for me - the birth of a black lamb! Almost all of the Welsh lambs were born white, some with a brown collar, and the odd one with black speckles around the face or legs as a throwback to the old speckle type. This ewe lambed at night, and had difficulty lambing so I had to give her a helping hand (gosh, please excuse that pun!). The first lamb was so big that he had become stuck in the birth canal, and the ewe had pushed so hard that the second lamb was presenting all tangled up. It took me roughly 45 minutes to reposition her and deliver her, but how worthwhile it was when I saw her beautiful, glistening black coat!

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Yes, I was slightly in love with her!

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Welsh mountain types were not the only breed on the farm - this is an example of the afore mentioned Welsh speckle.

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Perhaps the most interestingly marked sheep, this is a Torddu, or Welsh Badger-Faced, ewe and lamb; a small, hardy breed.

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Some of the ewes were also crossed with a Charollais ram, a French breed that has been increasing in popularity in Britain since the 1960s. The photos show a Welsh/Charollais and a Torddu/Charollais cross lamb respectively:

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More coming...

This little lamb is a cross between a Welsh Mountain ewe and a Cheviot ram. The Cheviot is a chunky, woolly breed with a large head, characteristics which are generally passed on to the lambs too.

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Finally, a few shots of the orphan, 'pet' lambs. These were comprised of runt triplet lambs, lambs rejected by their mothers and lambs whose mothers had unfortunately died. We would generally try to get them adopted onto another available ewe as soon as possible, but we ended up with quite a few as residents - 8 in total upon my departure. They were always hungry and didn't take them long to recognise who it is that feeds them...

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The above pics show cheviot crosses with a Welsh lamb - the little Welsh was my favourite. He was the first 'pet' we had, and at one point we thought he wasn't going to make it due to contracting an infection. He did however make a turnaround, and soon became a little whirlwind, so much so I had to bottle him separately to the other lambs to stop him shoving them out the way! I do look terrible in this picture, but it was gone midnight on my nightshift and probably the best picture I have of him ;)

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And finally, a sheep farm would be incomplete.... without some sheep dogs!

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Hope you all enjoy these pics. If they've made you half as happy as I was being involved in the lambing, then I'd be more than satisfied. :)

Those are great pictures! It was nice to learn about the different kinds of sheep. Seems like you had an amazing time. :)

Ahhh, I find this extremely interesting, of course! :D The lambs are precious and what an amazing experience! We never get to do anything THAT cool here, haha.

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Originally Posted by Taz_Zoee

Those are great pictures! It was nice to learn about the different kinds of sheep. Seems like you had an amazing time. :)

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Agree agree! Wow, look at all the different sheep and lambs! The little ones have such cute faces! I've never seen a black lamb before!

I went with my family to the state fair one summer. The local Future Farmers were giving a talk about sheep and lambs, with several sheep standing by for "hands on" demonstrations :). I got to put the palm of my hand on a ewe 's coat and gently put my fingertips in the fleece. It was so thick, it came all the way up to my first knuckles! And soft, and plush. There were a bunch of little children carefully patting the surface of the sheep's coats with their hands, which was so very cute! The sheep didn't seem to mind all those kids touching them.

These are awesome pictures! Thank you for the pictures of the countryside and the sheep dogs, too!

Oh, wow! Thanks for sharing! I'm surprised they don't just keep a database of ewes by ear tag numbers for things like age, etc. Paul looked at me and said "You'd just give them all names, and know them that way!" He knows me well!

*GASP!* Wow! I am breathless just from LOOKING at these great photos. How amazing for you to actually BE there, and to be the vet on site during lambing season.

Is the all black one considered "undesirable" and so not used in the future breeding cycles? All those baby lamb faces, oh my, I am so full inside! Even the ewes are very nice looking, lol.

Thank you, thank you so very much, for thinking of us here on PT, and taking pics for folks like us who don't actually need to see the vet pics, lol.

Oh my, the little ones are so cute! These are wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing them. :) I really enjoying seeing the different breeds and post birth photos. Looks like you had a spectacular time!

They are just so cute. Good to see you again. I know you'll do well during exam term. :)

That adorable newborn in the very first pictures is just breathtaking! :love::love::love:

What wonderful photographs, thank you so much for sharing your placement experiences.

I've always looooved black lambs/sheep .. the one you helped to be born is soooooo cute!!.. I would've taken it home :P ..

Great pictures! And some really good information. Never knew there were that many kinds of lambs/sheep. Thanks for sharing!

Oh My! Thank you so much for sharing all those great photos. I've always lived in the country in North Carolina USA but I have never seen lambs born--have seen calves born. Just terrific! I've always thought little lambs are just precious. Good pics of you and baby lamb. Thanks for sharing; I really enjoyed your writeup with the photos. I bet you will be a good vet when you complete your studies. The countryside reminded me of the vet series All Creatures Big and Small. Kay in NC

How adorable, both the lambs and you!

I always love all of your threads about the animals and your studies.
Love the little black lamb!

I really enjoyed this thread. The lambs are so cute and I didn't realize that there were so many different kinds. Thanks for sharing these pictures with us and good luck on your exams and all of your studies too.:)

Oh Zara, what a beautiful pictoral!!!! I am so proud of you, girl!!!

When you said you needed to lend a "hand" to a help deliver a ewe, I started laughing out loud!! I delivered a lamb while visiting my friend's farm in VT. Talk about losing your watch!!!! Messy, but the ending was happy.

You are going to make one AWESOME veterinarian, Zara!! You are passionate about what you do and you are a very smart young lady!!

Love and hugs from Me and...

Ploss's Halfway House for Homeless Felines

So many wonderful things in this thread-the precious baby lambs-I never can resist them, the information about the different breeds which I find very interesting and of course your professional passion-you certainly chose the right job:)

Wow, thank you so much for all the lovely comments! :)

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Originally Posted by Roxyluvsme13

Ahhh, I find this extremely interesting, of course! :D The lambs are precious and what an amazing experience! We never get to do anything THAT cool here, haha.

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Ah I'm sure you will at some point, Bri! It's definitely worth all the studying when you get to put it all into practice and see it make a difference. I hope your vet studies are going well. :)

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Originally Posted by cassiesmom

I went with my family to the state fair one summer. The local Future Farmers were giving a talk about sheep and lambs, with several sheep standing by for "hands on" demonstrations http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/smile.gif. I got to put the palm of my hand on a ewe 's coat and gently put my fingertips in the fleece. It was so thick, it came all the way up to my first knuckles! And soft, and plush

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Yes you're right Elyse, the fleece is surprisingly thick! There were a couple that had been shorn due to getting mites earlier on in the year, and you realise their true size - it's quite a difference!

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Originally Posted by Karen

I'm surprised they don't just keep a database of ewes by ear tag numbers for things like age, etc. Paul looked at me and said "You'd just give them all names, and know them that way!" He knows me well!

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The ewes did have ear tags with the flock number on them and were colour co-ordinated as to the year they were born, but as far as I know they didn't detail the individual animal. I'm pretty sure you're right, though, in that a lot of farms do keep records of that kind. As for knowing them all by name, I think I'd be right with you on that one.... all 800 of them! :D

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Originally Posted by Freedom

Is the all black one considered "undesirable" and so not used in the future breeding cycles?

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It's interesting that you say that, since I was recently watching a documentary on Welsh history, and apparently the old Welsh breed used to consist of black animals. Black wool wasn't favoured in the spinning industry from about 1500 right up until the 1900s, and the black animals were gradually bred out to produce the white sheep of today. So I suppose at a time she would have been undesirable! But since the British wool industry is now virtually non-existent, she'll be a future breeding animal I would imagine. The farmer was quite taken with her too so I think he may keep her on a while yet. :)

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Originally Posted by kaycountrygal

The countryside reminded me of the vet series All Creatures Big and Small. Kay in NC

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It is indeed quite similar countryside. ACGS was set and filmed in Yorkshire, the neighbouring county to my home county of Lancashire. :)

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Originally Posted by moosmom

When you said you needed to lend a "hand" to a help deliver a ewe, I started laughing out loud!! I delivered a lamb while visiting my friend's farm in VT. Talk about losing your watch!!!! Messy, but the ending was happy.

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This made me laugh too - I was always careful to check I still had my watch after each delivery... even though it was on my left arm! :D And I agree, it's a messy and sometimes exhausting affair, but when you get the little one taking that first breath, there's no reward like it. :)

thank you for the pictures! I used to work at a vet that would also treat farm animals. We seldom had sheep but goats were pretty common. The babies are so friggin' adorable!

The rewards of what you are doing are PRICELESS!!

Oh, and when I was helping the ewe be born, I took my watch off BEFORE hand. I saw the movie "City Slickers" and remembered that scene.

You are so in your element, Zara. You are loving what you do and is certainly shows in that beautiful face of yours!!! Thanks for the pics.

Thanks for sharing all of these pictures with us! Those little lambs are adorable! And as others have said Zara, we're very proud of you!:)

Thanks for the answer, Zara. Best wishes on exams.