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how do you know if a sheep is in labour?

Bernice Parker, 18 March 2015

Hello Lambcam-ers - here is the answer to the most frequently asked question of this year's lambing season.

'How can you tell when a sheep is in labour?'

Here are some of the signs that you can look out for:

  • Hiding away quietly in the corner – this behaviour would be to avoid predators in the wild.
  • Licking the lips – a preparation for cleaning the lamb after it is born.
  • Restless standing up and lying down.
  • Pawing at the ground – scratching up a soft ‘nest’ for the lamb to be born into.
  • Visible straining at regular intervals.
  • Visible mucus, water bag or a pair of feet protruding from the ewe’s back end!

And now here's a gratuitously cute picture of St Fagans first ever set of quads. Born last night...

Watch a view live from the lambing shed to see the action unfold

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Lambcam 

Bernice Parker

Public Events Officer
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Comments (3)

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Bernice Parker Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
31 March 2022, 13:51

Hi Nessa

Labour in sheep can take anything from 30 minutes to many hours. We can't offer any individual advice via these pages - you should consult a livestock or veterinary professional if you have concerns about the welfare of your animal

Nessa
31 March 2022, 02:47
I have a ewe that has been showing all these signs except the mucus bag and feet. I’m afraid that she may be having complications since I haven’t seen the mucus sack. Can you suggest a time frame from when these signs start to when the lamb is born.
Emmy
21 February 2022, 03:06
Thank you so much for the information!!
Lucy is our hair sheep ewe. She’s been showing several of these signs. We’ve been expecting her to lamb for almost 6 weeks now. Obviously we were way off on her due date! Unexpected pregnancy for her and 5 others…ram got through fence. Anyway, thank you again.