Not a good start

We are leaving the sheep outside to lamb.  Some of the locals have told us that if left outside, they dont lamb in the dark. Sounds good to us. Labour in a lamb can last a few hours and , as one of them is due I gto up early ( 530 am) to have a look .  Last year  we were surprised at 630 am by a head appearing  as we were checking on them in the morning .
And looking up the field, one of them had something - but it didnt look like a lamb.
On a closer look, it was intestine that had prolapsed through the vagina.
Those of a sensitive disposition who dont like looking at  innards should look away now.

So a call to the Vet who came out promptly. Intestines had come out.
This , in a sheep is not survivable. So the sheep would have to be put down.
The Vet asked  if we would like to try and salvage the lambs ( which were at term anyway)
So an injection was  followed by a rapid Caesarian Section and 3 lambs delivered. All were born with heartbeats but none made any effort to breathe, so after several minutes efforts were abandoned.

Bowel prolapse can occur after lambing but the vet had never seen it occur before. But , as ever, Google is your friend and it is not unheard of .
The most comprehensive report I could find is from Australia.

So it was just hard luck.

Next one is due at the end of the week.