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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...

The St Fagans shepherd, with the first set of quads ever to be born at the museum

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

Tagged with

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.