Hitched legs at lambing

[Bluesman]

We tend to get quite a few ewes presenting a lamb normally but the lambs legs are not extended properly so it struggles to be born easily. All we tend to do is just pull on the feet, one at a time, then the lamb just pops out. Are we being impatient and it will lamb itself in time, or is there some other reason for this? We have only started this year marking it on the lambing sheets so we don’t know if it happens to the same ewes very year.

 

[Muddyroads]

I find big singles need helping, but twins being smaller are usually ok. Depends a bit on how much energy the ewe has, as they can get tired and give up a bit sometimes.

 

[neilo]

We tend to get quite a few ewes presenting a lamb normally but the lambs legs are not extended properly so it struggles to be born easily. All we tend to do is just pull on the feet, one at a time, then the lamb just pops out. Are we being impatient and it will lamb itself in time, or is there some other reason for this? We have only started this year marking it on the lambing sheets so we don’t know if it happens to the same ewes very year.

What breeds are we talking about?

It is a problem with heavier shouldered/shorter legged breeds ime. I’ve had quite a few pure Beltex come like that this time, presented right but just stopped. Pull the legs gently and they pop out easily. Pure Charollais running on the same system, with their longer, finer legs, and I never see that problem.

I certainly wouldn’t accept it in a crossbred/commercial flock, and would look to reviewing the type of sheep I was using.

 

[Bluesman]

What breeds are we talking about?

It is a problem with heavier shouldered/shorter legged breeds ime. I’ve had quite a few pure Beltex come like that this time, presented right but just stopped. Pull the legs gently and they pop out easily. Pure Charollais running on the same system, with their longer, finer legs, and I never see that problem.

I certainly wouldn’t accept it in a crossbred/commercial flock, and would look to reviewing the type of sheep I was using.

Two breeds, pure Shropshire tupped with a Charollais and pure Lleyn tupped with a Lleyn.

 

[FIL46]

I get a few like that , I call it leg locked, your right a wee pull of the legs one at a time and job done, tried leaving the ewe@'s and watched from the camera if they are getting up and down and giving it giving it big pushes for 30 mins or so I find it's best to take a look and get a live lamb and a less stressed ewe

 

[An ancient git]

LOL , had 2 in last 2 days ! Just happened to realise that lambing was a bit slow ..... Quick tweak of legs and job sorted . Must admit that I haven't noted down as a culling offence in book . Reckon they'd have sorted themselves out , but seemed useful to help the job a bit .... And no need to shove gloved hand inside the ewe also .

 

[Greythundercloudys]

Yes l think beltex are bad for that.

 

[Nithsdale]

It sometimes is neither the ewe nor the rams fault... If you get the feeding (management) wrong and end up with big lambs, you'll get a lot stuck!

As this lambing has gone on, I've had more problems with stuck lambs (outdoor lambing). Birthweight has increased dramatically since the rains stopped and the fields have recovered and greened up.





Of course, if you use f**k off big square breeze block tups, you should be expecting problems from the get go...

 

[Alistair]

LOL , had 2 in last 2 days ! Just happened to realise that lambing was a bit slow ..... Quick tweak of legs and job sorted . Must admit that I haven't noted down as a culling offence in book . Reckon they'd have sorted themselves out , but seemed useful to help the job a bit .... And no need to shove gloved hand inside the ewe also .

Not sure what you mean by “quick tweak of legs”

 

[Guiggs]

Had a noticable amount this year but then I've had quite a few presented wrong, better legs drawn in then tucked under or backwards but I'm there keeping an eye so it's just part of the job as I see it, if I was to cull every ewe that had s lamb presented wrong I'd be trying to build numbers for eternity.
Much more serious offences at lambing like dropping a lamb and taking off into the distance or abandoning one lamb in favour of another!?

 

[Toms820]

I’ve had it quiet abit this year legs tucked back on big singles And we’re running texel x. Never had the problem before. But like you say gentle pull to get the legs in place and out pops the lamb.

 

[Moors Lad]

f**k off big square breeze block tups

Mmm, interesting, not come across this breed, I presume they are of foreign origin - must make a mental note to avoid..

 

[Skintagain]

My lambs have been too big towards the end so problems increased. Had more hung lambs than I have ever had. The weight of the lambs have been quite staggering out of my Charolais and texel rams. Beltex a lot easier born out of cross shearlings.

 

[An ancient git]

By quick tweak , I mean just straighten legs up ; Simples !!

 

[MRT]

Two breeds, pure Shropshire tupped with a Charollais and pure Lleyn tupped with a Lleyn.

That explains it @neilo ! Dodgy tup choice and then the Lleyn is copying!

 

[David.]

I think it is more prevalent in ewes with Texel content, that and just a head out.
Effing things.