LAMBING NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 480, 13 April 1909, Page 2

LAMBING NOTES.

ADVICE FOR PRACTICAL SHEPHERDS. "flio best tiino to cut tho tail and castrate lambs is-at ono week old. Good ventilation is absolutely essential but drafts must bo prevented in tho lambi ■ing shod. Jixaniino tho udder and , teats carefully • see that both teats aro open or you may net a caked udder. '-. . ... . Do not give tho owos turnips. , or other roots immediately alter lambing: it is dangerous to both owo and lamb. " ' It you find '.it 'necessary to 'assist the ewo to deliver, be sure tocarboliso or vaseline tho hands before operating. ' '' If a owe aborts, remove her (it onco from the lambing, shed; burn all litter, bedding, etc., and thoroughly disinfect tho pen. ■ After, having-assisted'hi'a'bad easo of lambing , do not go to a healthy owe- until hands,- clothes, etc., have been' thoroimhlv disinfected. If the udder becomes hard, or shows a tendency to.garget, apply unsolved lard and give it a vigorous rubbing; after which give the owe a good dose of salts. Don't bo in too great a hurry to assist a ewo to^ deliver-her lamb; you may do more harm than good; be quite surd- that sho has absolutely given up before trying to help her. a,r In constructing: tho lambing pens sco that they are tight at tho bottom; ibis will not only keep the young things from wandering away from the dailis, but also, will keep off any cold or chill drafts. In case a ewe disowns or refuse's to let her lamb suck, sprinkle a-little salt and aniseed over tho back anil'shoulders of.tho' lamb; ""s "ill often induce tho mother" to 'lick it and-effect a reconciliation, jhd'm no way harms tho lamb. . ■ "; ■ f ■ • ~ It is generally advisable to place a ewo in a pen by herself as soon as signs of' par-, tvmtioil are observed, bnt i£ fho act of lambing has becouio.advanced.before rlio is seen, it :s 'best to allow tho act to be completed before disturbing her. ' . ' yllso tho shepherd's qrook aslittlo as ponsiblo at or before .lambing. Tho kicking and straining of a caught owe, heavy' in lamb, ina.y cause her to abort. Keep on good terms' With the owes so that you can eaten'and , handle them without causing uudiic disturbance in the pons. Examine the. udder of each owe, and where necessary cut away all locks of wool so that tho lamb may have free and unobstructed access to the teats; othenviso tho Jamb is liable to suck, and swallow some wool, which forms into a.ball in tho stomach', eventually causing death when tho lamb is tlirce of four weeks old,. . • . Dogs should not bo used 'when' tho ewes got heavy .in lamb, .nor (should'.they.bp'permitted to enter the lambing sheds. Many owes become exceedingly nervous at- this, period, and the barking'of, a dog or any undue noise is likely;to'cause them to becomo so excited as to cause abortion,'which not,-in-frequently .happens. ' . ' • . When a lamb' is' found chilled, unable! to move or swallow, and with jaws set, no tinio is to be lost. It cannot, bo-restored hy mcro rubbing or Wrapping in blankets.' It,'should be placed in a heatod oven or in water about as hot as you can comfortably hold ■• your Muds in, and then rubbed dry. A toaspoonful of gin or;whisky, with twico as ••■ mucli , ' tea or coffee added, jyill frequently.' savoi a chilled lamb. , . ; .....<•''