1. Signs of childbirth

Before giving birth, some organs of the ewe’s body undergo significant histological changes, and the overall behavior of the ewe is also different from usual. These changes It is a physiological preparation to adapt to the needs of fetal birth and breastfeeding of newborn lambs. Comprehensive observation of these changes can often roughly predict the time of delivery so that preparations can be made for assisted delivery.

1. Breast changes: The breasts develop rapidly before delivery, and the glands are enriched. When delivery is approaching, a small amount of clear gelatinous liquid or a small amount of colostrum can be squeezed out from the nipples, and the nipples become enlarged and thickened.

2. Changes in the vulva: As delivery approaches, the labia gradually become softer, swollen, and enlarged, the wrinkles on the labia skin expand, and the skin turns slightly red. The vaginal mucosa is flushed, the mucus changes from thick and sticky to thin and smooth, and urination is frequent.

3. Changes in the pelvis: The pubic symphysis, sacroiliac joints, and ligaments on both sides of the pelvis have increased mobility, become soft at the base of the tail and on both sides, and have obvious depressions in the ankle fossa. Hold the base of the tail with your hands and move it up and down, and feel the upward movement of the sacrum increase.

4. Behavioral changes: The ewe is restless, has a loss of appetite, looks back at the abdomen, gets up and lies down, keeps struggling and whining, and obvious abdominal depression is a typical sign of labor and should be sent to the delivery room immediately.

2. Normal delivery

When ewes give birth to lambs, it is best to let them produce lambs on their own. The main task of the delivery staff is to monitor the delivery and care for the first-time lambs. During a normal delivery, first cut off the wool around the udder and the inside of the hind limbs of the ewe in labor, then wash the udders with warm water; squeeze out a few drops of colostrum, then wash the ewe's tail root, vulva, and anus, and use 1% Suer disinfects. Under normal circumstances, multiparous ewes give birth to lambs faster than primiparous ewes, and the lambs can be successfully delivered within a few to 30 minutes after the amniotic membrane ruptures. Normally, the two forelimbs of a normal lamb come out first, with the head attached to the two forelimbs. As the ewe works hard, the lamb can be born naturally. When two lambs are born, the interval is about 10 to 20 minutes, and the interval is longer in some cases. When the ewe gives birth to the first lamb, it still shows signs of labor and labor pains, which is a sign of giving birth to two lambs. At this time, the delivery personnel should carefully observe and inspect the lamb. After the lamb is born, first remove the mucus from the lamb's mouth, nose and ear bones to avoid swallowing amniotic fluid, which may cause suffocation or foreign body pneumonia. The mucus on the lamb should be licked dry by the delivery staff while the delivery staff is wiping it. This can not only promote the blood circulation of the newborn lamb, but also help the ewe to recognize the lamb.