Yes, ewes generally "bag up" (udder fills with milk) before lambing, but it varies; older ewes show it more clearly a week or two prior, while first-timers (maidens) might only show significant bagging up in the last 24-48 hours, sometimes almost simultaneously with birth, along with other signs like a swollen vulva, sunken flanks, and restlessness.
Bagging Up - Your ewe will start to develop an udder about 4 weeks prior to lambing. As due dates approach, watch their udder closely - within 24 hours the udder will become firm and teats will become large, swollen and filled with milk. This is a clear sheep lambing sign.
If the ewe's back end is shaped like the left side of an 8 with the rounded bulges of the vulva and the udder, she is really close to lambing. The teats are usually pointing to the sides as well. The bright, deep, hot pink color is the best indicator of lambs arriving soon.
Vaginal prolapses tend to occur in the last month before lambing (occasionally they will occur after lambing).
Watch closely for these key signs: ✅ Udder filling (“bagging up”) – often starts 1–3 weeks out, with a tight, shiny udder in the final 24–48 hours ✅ Loose ligaments around the tailhead – hips feel softer as birth approaches ✅ Vulva swelling & discharge – clear to cloudy mucus is a strong sign labor is near ✅ Drop in ...
One of the most striking signs is the swelling of her udder as it fills with milk in those final days before delivery. You may also notice that the ligaments around her tailhead relax, giving her tail a more flexible appearance.
Housing ewes for less than 3 weeks before lambing should be avoided as any sudden changes in diet in the final stages of pregnancy, unless managed carefully, can induce metabolic disorders such as hypocalcaemia or twin lamb disease.
Using a prolapse harness is the most gentle “cure” for a prolapse. If properly fitted it will prevent ewes from straining and pushing the prolapse back out. If prolapses are treated early (when small) our success rate is high.
Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing or other farm animals that are giving birth may risk their own health, and that of their unborn child, from infections that such animals can carry.
Causes/Predisposing factors
The uterine prolapse generally occurs as a result of prolonged dystocia/lambing difficulty, excessive traction applied when pulling a lamb, invagination/eversion of the uterus and/or recumbency after lambing with the hindlimbs lying lower than the forelimbs.
There are several signs that a ewe is going into labor. She may appear hollow just in front of her hips. Her vulva will be bright pink and her udder will be swollen and teats distended. A ewe in early labor will stay on her feet, walking, shifting her weight from side to side, arching and stretching her back.
If your ewe has been trying to actively push out the lamb for more than 2 hours with no progress, it is time to intervene; either by calling a vet, or if you feel confident, having a feel yourself.
Ideally, all ewes should be shorn 30-60 days prior to lambing to reduce stress on both the unborn lambs and their moms.
Signs of impending lambing
About 10 days before the ewe will lamb, the teats begin to feel firm and full of colostrum. Between then and lambing, the lips of the vulva slacken and become slightly swollen. In the last hours before lambing, many ewes will separate from the flock.
Drenching Ewes Before Lambing
To avoid this, ewes should be monitored for FEC, and consider drenching approximately 2-4 weeks before the planned start of lambing. Long-acting drenches may be useful during this period if pastures are highly contaminated. After weaning, ewes should be monitored by FECs.
A ram that is kept with ewes is likely to be overfed, as a ram does not require as concentrated a diet as pregnant and lactating ewes. Some rams may be too aggressive to be kept with pregnant ewes. In less developed countries, they have a created an "apron" to prevent rams from impregnating ewes during comingling.
4. Raw or undercooked meat. Raw or undercooked meat should be avoided during pregnancy due to the risk of toxoplasmosis, an infection with bacteria often found in raw meat, as well as sheep, lamb and cat feces.
This productive strategy is counter-evolutionary, as ewes frequently conceive during early lactation, when they have a low body condition and are investing energy resources nursing their offspring.
gondii parasite is sometimes found in the afterbirth or on newborn lambs. As a result, there's a small risk of toxoplasmosis infection passing from sheep to people during lambing season. People most at risk include: pregnant women who can pass congenital toxoplasmosis on to their unborn child.
In these techniques an indwelling needle (Johnson button) or umbilical tape suture (Minchev) are placed from the dorsolateral vaginal wall through the sacrotuberous ligament and through the gluteal musculature. In the case of the Johnson button, large, flat discs are attached to each end to secure the device.
Dystocia is common in sheep, and foetal causes are predominant. Among maternal causes, insufficient cervical dilatation is the most frequent problem. Uterine torsion has been considered rare by many authors.
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) during pregnancy is rare, with few cases to guide clinical management. Vaginal delivery is possible; however, it is associated with increased risk of antepartum and intrapartum complications.
Salt and Lime: Another common practice is mixing salt and lime to create a loose lick. This provides a few basic nutrients, such as calcium and sodium. We also recommend adding Causmag, or Magnesium Oxide, to help with magnesium deficiencies – but only around lambing.
Chlorotetracycline (aureomycin®) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administation (FDA) to feed to pregnant ewes at a rate of 80 mg per head per day to help prevent abortions. Alternatively, injections of antibiotics (e.g. LA-200) every 2 weeks during late gestation may help to prevent abortions.
Sheep, like humans, mostly sleep at night. Social – Sheep are highly social animals and find it stressful to be isolated from their flock, which can happen through incidents such as sheep worrying.