through the month of March. Having set apart those ewes that are 

 due to lamb, it is easier to observe those that need attention. The 

 ewe about to lamb becomes restless and seeks seclusion. The shep- 

 herd should watch each ewe at lambing, but not disturb her unless 

 assistance is necessary. "Generally it is not necessary to watch later 

 than eleven o'clock at night, for if a ewe does not lamb before this 

 time she usually will not before four o'clock the next morning." 49 

 It is on the coldest and most severe nights that attention to the ewes 

 is most important. 





Fig. 20. A temporary lambing pen. 



The normal presentation of the lamb is the head first, with the 

 forelegs extending forward beneath the head. Any other presentation 

 is abnormal, and may require the assistance of the shepherd. It is 

 often necessary to help young ewes with their first lambs by grasping 

 the forelegs and pulling at the same time that the ewe strains. This is 

 sometimes necessary for lambs that are very large. Ewes may give 

 birth to lambs delivered backward without assistance. If the head or 

 legs are not in proper position the shepherd assists the ewe. The ewe is 

 placed in position by standing her in a corner and raising her hindquart- 

 ers so that her body is at an angle of forty-five degrees. In this way the 

 stomach and intestines do not press against the uterus, giving more 

 room for the operator to work. Before placing it in the vagina the 

 hand should be thoroughly washed, the finger nails trimmed and 



49 U. S. Department Bulletin No. 20, 1913. 



48 



