184 Sheep-Farming 



Indications of lambing. — Indications of lambing 

 are noticeable several days before the event takes 

 place. There is a marked dropping of the flanks 

 accompanied by a swollen and red appearance of 

 the vulva. Immediately preceding lambing, the 

 ewe becomes restless and frequently changes her 

 position. 



Trimming and cleaning udders. — Previous to 

 lambing, the udders of the ewes should be trimmed 

 when necessary, thereby removing all wool that 

 might be in the way of the lamb when it attempts 

 to suck. By removing too much of the covering of 

 the udder, inflammation may result from exposure. 

 The udder should be cleaned if any filth has gathered 

 on it, for such will often prevent the lamb from suck- 

 ing the teat. 



Delayed lambing. — In many instances, the ewe 

 will pass the normal period of gestation two or 

 three days ; usually this is so when the lamb is of 

 the male sex, though it may be due to something 

 abnormal in the presentation or result from injury 

 to the lamb. Unless the ewe strains as if in parturi- 

 tion, it is best to reserve any action. If she endeav- 

 ors to Iamb, an examination wiU usually disclose the 

 cause of the delay. 



Avoiding disturbance of the ewe. — Inexperienced 

 shepherds invariably err in being too attentive to 

 the ewe when lambing is about to take place. Unless 

 there is evidence that something is wrong in the 



