04/11/2026
In 22 years of raising these sheep, I have never had a lamb I couldn't pull. I have been close to giving up and had my fair share of breech births, dystocia, ring womb, etc. This one really challenged my experience, skill, capability, strength and confidence.
It started this around 2:30 this morning. Just watching Bonney with the understanding that she was in the beginning stages of labor. Then around 5 am, I got her in a jug because the barn was full with ewes and lambs and she is a bit shy and cranky. When I saw no progress, I decided to just reach in and see if I could feel what was going on. I could only grab legs and could not get the head up. I pushed the lamb back a bit and tried a few times to move the head where I needed it to be, but I just could not move it. When ewes are contracting and pushing, it is amazing how strong their muscles are and how defeating that can feel, but I worked for a long time before I gave her a rest and tried to pull myself together. Calm, stay calm.
When I went back in, I could no longer feel a head. I wrapped around her in all directions and just could not find the head. When I did find it, it was below her on the opposite side of her rib cage. In my experience and opinion, head back is the worst position ever. I have only had it one other time where I couldn't pull the head forward and that was when Kennedy was born a few years back. It took me almost 2 hours to get her out and when I finally decided to noose her lamb, I thought I was pulling out a dead lamb. She was not dead. She was alive and very strong.
I gave up on Bonney when I could no longer feel a live lamb. I did not want to do more damage to her and wanted to give her the best chance possible.
By the time the vet got here it was around 12:30 pm before she got in and started trying to remove the lamb. She worked until around 1:30 when she was finally able to remove the lamb. The lamb was actually alive, but not doing well. I do not expect him to make it through the night. I have tube fed him with no response, drenched him and he is just cold and breathing very shallow breaths. He is in my office with me, wrapped in a heating pad while Matt goes to pick up some things for Bonney.
Bonney is on pain meds, an anti-inflammatory, and antibiotics. She did take some grain and water from me. But she is not out of the woods.
I was already exhausted, but I may be slightly delirious at this time. Please excuse any errors here. I have had it today.
While I was down with Bonney, my sweet bunny, Goose, had her kits prematurely on the wire. They were underdeveloped and none were alive. I know this is common for first litters but it just was not a good day for ranch life and it hit a little harder.
I am trying to stay positive and think of the good stuff though. If this is the first time I could not pull a lamb in 22 years, I am going to take that as a win. It happens, but I have just been fortunate enough to not have it happen until today. We found a new large animal vet. This has been lacking in our area for a few years now and I feel so happy to know that I have a vet within range. We don't need vets very often, but when you are trying to figure out how you are going to get a 140 pound ewe into the Polaris when you weigh 145, it is frustrating. Lastly, no matter what happens to Bonney or the lamb, we have had the friendliest and healthiest sheep throughout the years. I have had so much support and love from all of our sheep fans, and our family/friends that it is hard to feel sorry for myself. I will likely be up with Bonney through the night, so if you feel compelled to do so, please say a little prayer for her.
I will update you all tomorrow.
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