Tough birth sacks

[crazy_bull]

Having a fair few what I can only describe as tough birth sacks. The lambs are spritely and full term, but have lost several due to the bag not breaking. Have been there when some have been born and seen them thrash about trying to unsuccessfully break the bag and I’ve been able to get to those and pop the bag. But if I hadn’t been there they would have drowned.

any ideas what may cause this? Had the odd one previously but this is more widespread like 20-25%, luckily someone is on hand for most. Pretty horrible to find a cracking lamb that’s still in the sack, seen one fall from a standing ewe and not burst!

the birthing fluids look healthy, maybe more juice than normal but that’s it

C B

 

[M-J-G]

Aren't the ewes up and cleaning them off?

 

[Tomo23]

I've something in the back of my mind that it's to do with a mineral deficiency but I can't think which one. Selenium?

 

[BAF]

I've something in the back of my mind that it's to do with a mineral deficiency but I can't think which one. Selenium?

I had the same thought but thought cobalt. Bound to be one of them.

 

[crazy_bull]

Aren't the ewes up and cleaning them off?

Yeah but if they don’t start at the head end then it’s a non starter,

C B

 

[crazy_bull]

Mineral deficiency had crossed my mind, but assumed they would have got what they needed from the lifeline buckets and the hard food they have been getting.

 

[Northern territory]

Mineral deficiency had crossed my mind, but assumed they would have got what they needed from the lifeline buckets and the hard food they have been getting.

Like a lot of things at lambing, some years it’s just the year. https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/lambs-born-in-thick-bags-and-a-lot-of-liquid.166586/ looks like a similar discussion went on in 2017

 

[Gulli]

It's iodine in cows I think

 

[Hesstondriver]

It's iodine in cows I think

To much or not enough?

 

[crazy_bull]

Yeah but if they don’t start at the head end then it’s a non starter,

C B

Like this poor bugger just now, clean toes and back end. barsteward sheep

 

[David.]

It's a bugger Luke, had one yesterday.
Double of course, couldn't be a treble.
As you say, sheep that have been on hard feed for a month, and had free access minerals since tupping shouldn't be short of much.

 

[crazy_bull]

It's a bugger Luke, had one yesterday.
Double of course, couldn't be a treble.
As you say, sheep that have been on hard feed for a month, and had free access minerals since tupping shouldn't be short of much.

the only bright side is it gives an unexpected mothering opportunity to get rid of some of the triplets

C B

 

[David.]

That's the spirit!
Actually, have you had any sheep bloods done lately?
We did half a dozen in December, and all was normal except one of the 6 was marginal for Selenium.
A ewe with a rubber sack might be a good one to test?

 

[crazy_bull]

That's the spirit!
Actually, have you had any sheep bloods done lately?
We did half a dozen in December, and all was normal except one of the 6 was marginal for Selenium.
A ewe with a rubber sack might be a good one to test?

yes, good shout, will mark up the next offender and get it done

 

[David.]

Fun fact for the day, to cheer you up;
Treble had two nice lambs and a born dead one yesterday. She has annoyed me somewhat this morning, by squashing one in the night.
She is now mostly wearing the Blue tag of Certain Doom.

Heygates United, 1. - David, 0.
.

 

[Gulli]

To much or not enough?

Not enough I think but I can't remember, blood test is the best way instead of relying on the hazy memories of other farmers mid lambing ,

 

[unlacedgecko]

To much or not enough?

Lack of iodine causes tough birth sacks.
Lack of calcium means the cow doesn't push.

 

[JockCroft]

Lack of iodine causes tough birth sacks.
Lack of calcium means the cow doesn't push.

Totally agree on that but add Vit B group and vit E.
IIRC birth sack problem can be influenced by nutrition 3 to 8 weeks before birth. An old colleague also recons lack of salt, which is a definite need closer to lambing, and don't go for fancy coloured rock salt as it contains way to many things that lock up or interfere with the body's uptake of essential minerals. Proper refined salt licks where you have the minerals listed.

 

[Mc115reed]

Having a fair few what I can only describe as tough birth sacks. The lambs are spritely and full term, but have lost several due to the bag not breaking. Have been there when some have been born and seen them thrash about trying to unsuccessfully break the bag and I’ve been able to get to those and pop the bag. But if I hadn’t been there they would have drowned.

any ideas what may cause this? Had the odd one previously but this is more widespread like 20-25%, luckily someone is on hand for most. Pretty horrible to find a cracking lamb that’s still in the sack, seen one fall from a standing ewe and not burst!

C B

Pretty sure it’s lack of iodine, could be wrong though… always seems too affect multiples more than singles

 

[unlacedgecko]

Totally agree on that but add Vit B group and vit E.
IIRC birth sack problem can be influenced by nutrition 3 to 8 weeks before birth. An old colleague also recons lack of salt, which is a definite need closer to lambing, and don't go for fancy coloured rock salt as it contains way to many things that lock up or interfere with the body's uptake of essential minerals. Proper refined salt licks where you have the minerals listed.

I give a bolus 1 month pre tupping, then another one 2-4 weeks pre lambing.