How to tell when a ewe will lamb.
I'll never be the type of person that has life in complete order because a) I don't think it's possible and b) even if it was possible, I still wouldn't be the type to have it there. A glutton for punishment, I'm eager to bring on the next madness. That's basically farming in a nutshell: madness.
Thinking about starting a farm? You're mad. If you're okay with that fact, proceed on.
There have been some extreme lows in our farming journey that I certainly am not eager to revisit. Every week, month, and year that we're on the farm we actually do get a bit better. For example, this winter, instead of hauling buckets from the bathtub every single day for all the livestock, we instead invented a system that involved heat floats, heated hose, and a gigantic water tank. And you know what? It worked! No more hauling buckets (one of my favorite doTERRA business sayings).
We're through the worst of winter now so the well is being utilized once again for watering and Hallelujah! the sheep have started to lamb. We've already been blessed with two sets of live, healthy twins on the ground from great Mamas. That is no small accomplishment.
But it isn't all joyful.
Stu and I had to have “the talk” about keeping our animals at a level that our land can maintain. We recently planted and fenced an additional acre of land for grazing, but even with that, it can only support a few animals. Boo! I want ALL THE LAND, so I can graze ALL THE ANIMALS. Actually, I probably don't want that. We've got clear at Le Chalet that our goal is to grow for our family and not the general public. That means we only need to produce as much food as we can eat. One dairy cow and a small flock of sheep provide us with plenty.
So over the past few weeks, I've sold three of my beloved ewes to wonderful homes. They were all pregnant and full-bellied when I sent them off. *Insert tears of sadness*.
I'm left with three ewes and a ram in the flock which is a good amount for our grazing land and our needs. But still. Sad.
Two of the ewes have already lambed. Noel, a notoriously early lamber, has been raising beautiful little ones since late January. Eleanor, our bottle lamb from years ago, is a third time Mom to a set of twins that are only a week old. They're darling. The only one left is our sweet Gwen. And Mama. She's getting close!
For years I had no idea of what to look for in a pregnant animal. People would mention differences but I just couldn't see them! I don't know if it's a trained eye from staring at the animals all the time, but the differences are now clear to me. So as you prepare for lambing, here are a few quick tips on how to tell when a ewe will lamb.
How to tell when a ewe will lamb.
1. Big belly.
Notice Gwen's round shape in her belly. In some ways, it looks like she's swallowed a beach ball! The belly extends further down than normal and has an incredible round shape.
Compare her shape to Noel, who lambed over a month ago. Noel's shape is much more elongated and Gwen's is much more round. If I say round again, will that help? Round.
2. Full bag.
This is an easy giveaway! Get on your knees and get down there to check it out! A good ewe will bag up about 5-10 days prior to giving birth. Again, if you look at her every day, you'll know what a normal udder looks like and thus, you'll be able to tell when it's not normal. My sheep all have different udders, as will yours, so start observing them early. When they get full, you'll know you're close.
3. Swollen bits.
I know it's not on everyone's bucket list to inspect the girly parts of a sheep, but it is incredibly effective. This is probably the biggest sign in how to tell when a ewe will lamb. A few days before, her bits will get very pink, very swollen, and very soft. Get ready for it…
… sorry, but how else am I supposed to explain this? THESE are the bits of a ewe that is certainly pregnant and close to lambing. But not crazy close. 24-48 hours prior, she'll look extremely loose and it will even flop a bit as she walks around. Gwen's is still slightly tight and secure.
Three small tips on how to tell when a ewe will lamb, but easy enough to check on when you're out feeding or milking. And knowing is very helpful! If it's cold, you have a chance to get them somewhere quiet and warm so they can lamb in peace.
We all need a little quiet time – am-I-right?
Someone come and watch my four children so I can have some more of that.
And Amen.
Rachel C.
Great post Shaye! I hope that readers take the time to read to the end. The longer you farm the more in tune you become with the rhythms of everything connected to the earth, it’s a beautiful way to live. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I feel your pain when it comes to keeping a manageable number of furry and feathered on the farm, it’s always hard to see them go. I hope that Gwen has a quick and easy birth. I would love to hear more about the system that involves heat floats, heated hose, and a gigantic water tank!
Clair Sadler
The talk is very difficult indeed. Last fall we went from about 40 cows to less than half of that. It just made sense for our land and our energy levels. We do sell beef to the public as well as nourish ourselves, and so our talk are a bit different. Whatever its form, it is always hard when you love the animals you have and rejoice in their breeding successes. You are wise.
Miley D.
I too am at that point of having too much for my small parcel of land. I have some for my family – and I do sell to other farmers! But, with 2 rams and 25 other sheep – this year, I will have close to 50 or lambs! That is a lot for 5 acres of pasture. Time to cut back drastically! Great job on your instruction Shaye – they are spot on! I can tell when mine are close as well- they will separate from the flock and start pawing the ground. They also like to get up and down from the ground a lot more – I want to say due to contractions. God Bless!!
Megan
Thank you so much Shaye, the pictures were great. I have noticed the changes in my ewes girlie bits, and you’re spot on there is no other way to explain. By your great description, I should be expecting lambs in the next couple of days!! Yeay
Margaret
My girls are not people friendly, so have to observe them from a distance, closer at feeding time. Val is huge, belly almost touching the ground. She has had a single and twins, so maybe triplets? Should I be keeping her up? Abby is also big, not as big as Val. Both bags seem to be getting full. They are both acting strange. Head butting each other (never done before), spronking (like an antelope) on all fours.
Kimberly
So in your pic of the bits… how close would you say that ewe was?
Clarice
You’ll know if you watch the changes! This isn’t the ‘exact ‘ answer you are looking for. It’s hard to nail the day very far ahead if time .Use a gestation calculator w first date Being the day you put the ewes and rams together. This will get you a closer delivery time. But YOU WILL recognize that final softening if you look every day. The initial early , reddening swelling I noticed just walking behind my ewes. You’ll recognize that final day of/ or before delivery By that ‘Very increased red & softening loose appearance‘ when it happens . I remember when I watched for it ; how very obvious it was! Then mine deliver in next 24 hr. I get my lambing pen with fresh clean straw ready by the 2nd week of pink/ reddening swelling . Last year I stayed home from a shearing class my husband went to because of the Initial reddened swelling change. That ewe didn’t deliver until 10 days later. Two days after the week long shearing class ended. But one if us needed to be here ‘in case’.
Caitlin
Thank you for sharing this helpful information! We have pregnant ewes for the first time on our farm and keep receiving conflicting information on how to know when they are about to lamb from some local farmers. The images above really helped put it into perspective for us. Can’t wait to welcome our newest additions!
Michelle
Thank you for this article! We have a first time ewe getting ready to lamb and, like others have mentioned, information is often conflicting. I wish there were local shepherds for us to connect with.
Nancy
I bought meat master ewes 2 weeks ago,one of them already started to develop an udder, today I saw that she started leaking colostrum. How long before she’ll deliver ?
And 3 other ewes are swollen behind but only started to develop udder since yesterday , Is that normal ?
Katie
What supplemental extras do u provide to the ewes to keep them healthy & baby grow? We are new to sheeping but inherited a flock of 7, with 5 ewe (2young still), 1 ram & 1 wether. We were told they would need no extra to have happy healthy babies but after a still born & a premie I am having my doubts. Just got a salt cube & have feed that we have treated them with that I will start regularly supplementing. Selenium? Vitamin E? Anything else? They rotate & pasture graze on our abundant overgrowth. Thanks for any advice.
Mary Haydock
I laughed, I cried, I related so much! So round belly yes round round round round. Darla, looks ready to burst. She’s a black Hawaiian, and has blessed us with a wonderful little girl last year, Sophie. Both mom and daughter are expecting. But Darla, is hanging so low, her belly is almost dragging. I’ve started to call her Harley because all I can think about is how the belly of a lowrider almost drags. We’ve had to have the talk too, we have eight in our herd now and I know we need to stop considering them like children, unable to cut the apron strings. I think this go around is going to be the last of the lambs we keep. I think we have too many Rams and need to sell at least one or two of them. There’s also a lot of competition going on and I don’t want to start having issues with inbreeding. We’ve never farmed before, ever. We moved to Alabama, minus the banjo on our knees, and committed to homesteading. I think I’m going to just have to not be around when some new lambs have to go to market. I still cry when we lose one. We lost three last year and it broke my heart. But this is why we raise sheep for meat not for ME. I should probably start by not naming them. But again really great post
Carolyn Kelley
I know this post is old but this still was so helpful. This is my second lambing season and my three ewes and I are due any day with our babies. It’s not what we wanted but the ram accidentally got in a bit earlier than planned with the ewes. I’m so worried we’ll all be laboring at the same time and I’ve been second guessing my judgment on them. This post was just a good simple reminder on what I’m looking for. I completely forgot about how they get slack and loose right at the end. Thanks for the help!!!
Kathy
I’ve never had sheep before but on impulse bought a Katahdin bred ewe at an online auction. Upon getting her home I noticed that she had several swollen areas under her neck. The vet came out and gave her a antibiotic but said she couldn’t be sure about the cysts until there is a biopsy. This is the sweetest sheep. The vet said she should not ever be with other sheep or goats and should not be allowed to nurse her lamb/lambs when they are born. I feel awful for her I need advice ASAP! Thank you