Most of our ABB ewes eat the placentas. They don't leave a lot of evidence of lambing other than some new lambs at their side. I'm guessing that it's either for nutritional value or to reduce the chance of drawing predators in (or both).
We have a few ewes that will paw the ground to nest, to bring their lambs closer, to tell lambs and other sheep to keep their distance. We have others that paw the air when nervous or threatened. They all have their own unique personalities. Doug Noyes Rusty Iron Acres > On May 14, 2014, at 2:22 PM, Michael Smith <mwsmotorspo...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Forgot to comment. I have read they might eat placentas as well. But, to > date, after 10 or so births at my place over several years, none have. > > Wondering if the more experienced sheepherders can comment on that one? > > -Michael Smith, Perino Ranch blackbellies > > Sent from my iPad > >> On May 14, 2014, at 7:37 AM, mtnrdgr...@aol.com wrote: >> >> This was my first year of lambing so I don't have much experience. But most >> of my ewes pawed the ground quite a bit for the first few days after >> lambing. I don't think sheep eat the placenta. At least none of mine did, >> and everyone seems healthy and fine now. >> >> Best Wishes, >> Jann >> Mountain Ridge Ranch and >> KayaKyi Kennels >> American Blackbelly Sheep >> Tibetan Mastiffs >> PBGVs and GBGVs >> mrr.mysite.com >> https://www.facebook.com/KayakyiPBGVsAndGBGVs >> AKC Breeder of Merit >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: David Sussman <david.gadog...@gmail.com> >> To: blackbelly <blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info> >> Sent: Wed, May 14, 2014 8:15 am >> Subject: [Blackbelly] New mother pawing the ground >> >> We have a new mother ewe, her first time, who just gave birth to two males >> this morning. Throughout the day we have noticed her continuing to paw at >> the ground like she had been doing in the previous days, but from what >> we've read it is unusual for it to continue after birth. This is her first >> experience so it's possible that she is just nervous (she is normally very >> personable) but we are a bit concerned about a third (possibly stillborn?) >> lamb in her. I have been checking for the placenta but haven't seen it >> (she may have eaten in when I wasn't around) so it's possible that she's >> still waiting to pass it and that is causing her behavior. >> >> To clarify, she has been penned with her two lambs with ample straw and >> generally digs at the hard dirt below the straw as opposed to the straw >> itself. >> >> At what point should we start to be concerned? We've had about a dozen >> births here so far but nothing quite like this. We appreciate the help. >> >> David Sussman >> Sebastopol, CA >> _______________________________________________ >> This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list >> Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list >> Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info > _______________________________________________ > This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info _______________________________________________ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
