Lambing some texel and Charolais X ewes , and when pulling the odd big (but not massive) backwards single or even double this morning I’ve had a few lambs ended up with broken ribs on one side , some it doesn’t affect at all , others never get going properly . So am I doing something wrong ? Or is there anything causing it . Can I do anything to help once they’re out .
Backwards lambs broken ribs
- Thread starter Chev54
- Start date
Once they are out give pain relief, all you can do is take your time lambing, people rush them sometimes as they are backwards, lots of lube and if you feel they need to turn slightly as they come out take the time and turn them. Its very easily done
Skintagain
Member
- Location
- Perched on the Pennines
Main thing is to give them time.
Lili
Member
- Location
- Aberystwyth hinterland
Is the ewe standing or lying down when you pull the lamb? Might relieve the pressure slightly on the lambs rib cage if the ewe was standing when you pulled the lamb.
- Location
- North of Perth
Think he means twist the lamb as your pulling it out.I do it with big singles coming forward too.it does seem to help.
Farmer 83563
Member
Vet advised me to give the ewe calcium as soon as you see there is a problem and give them enough time - seems calcium is important for uterine muscles to work properly
Skintagain
Member
- Location
- Perched on the Pennines
I don’t ‘pull’ lambs out I sort of ease them out, work them out of you like with as little force as is possible. Others I have seen mostly on television I cringe at tbh
Forever Fendt
Member
- Location
- Derbyshire
Pen them in the corner with the ewe and let them feed and put back a few times you don’t want the ewe racking them to get up most survived here to be fair
- Location
- Shropshire
Can you get a muscle relaxer from the vet I had a bottle last year when we had a spate of very big calves from one particular bull you jab wait half an hour and the difference is unreal
Skintagain
Member
- Location
- Perched on the Pennines
Was the relaxant for you or the calf?.....
- Location
- Shropshire
The cow
This sounds more than technique.
If an ewe has time and you don’t jump in ridiculously early giving her time to be ready to lamb I can’t see why ribs would break.
Could it be a genetic defect a certain ram is throwing or maybe lack of certain nutrients pre lambing regarding the ewes?
Brittle bones caused by something?
Would you think the ewes have been bred with particularly small pelvis?
If the lambs are coming out fine correctly presented then it’s a little strange the breech ones struggling.
If an ewe has time and you don’t jump in ridiculously early giving her time to be ready to lamb I can’t see why ribs would break.
Could it be a genetic defect a certain ram is throwing or maybe lack of certain nutrients pre lambing regarding the ewes?
Brittle bones caused by something?
Would you think the ewes have been bred with particularly small pelvis?
If the lambs are coming out fine correctly presented then it’s a little strange the breech ones struggling.
- Location
- Lancashire
Sometimes pulling a big lamb the liver can be forced right up into the rib cage causing death