h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This is really excellent.

I have no comments on the substance of the entry, since everything I know about birthing sheep I read only just this minute.

I think - at least this is the way I took it - that most readers will understand that the 'passerby' scenario is one that you have invented and is not to be taken literally - this becomes especially clear at the point of producing rubber gloves and lubricant from one's rucksack. So I don't know that I would worry too much that this will incite passersby to muck about with sheep.

I hope to never find myself in responsible charge of a sheep, but just having read this how-to will help me to sleep better not having to worry what to do in case any of the sheep I'm counting in my dreams gives birth.

Well done

This is truly one of the most offbeat entries I've ever seen in the Guide. That's not a bad thing! It's what makes the Guide great Who'd have thought I could learn how to lamb a sheep over lunch? (I probably should have waited until after lunch, but it all seems to have turned out okay).

I like the tone as well. You seem very informed on your subject, and haven't bogged this down with unneccessary information - it's very accessible to your audience. Well done for a first effort!

Thank you. Actually, this is my 2nd effort. I did another one through the week where I was introduced to the wonders of Guide ML by Wilma and B'Elena A13101111

Neat entry, I remember my father-in-law and my husband helping their neighbour's old ewe to lamb once - and I took the photos of the cute little black lambs that were successfully born

Ah. I had mistaken your tag about getting your first entry through in your initial posting, didn't even realise the A#s were different.

I'll just toddle off and read the other one, shall I?

Excellent entry SWL, I can't see a thing wrong with it

I love the chatty style, and can't even find a typo

I hate typo's so I'd be black affronted if any were in a guide entry I'd written.

It might also be worth noting that if the lamb is far too big to be born naturally, chances are the vet will kill the lamb inside the ewe.

Doing a c-section on a lamb is much more expensive than the lamb is worth.

How they do this is quite horrific, but I shall tell you anyway.

They get a piece of wire (similar to cheese wire). They place it around the lambs neck whilst its still inside the ewe, then they cut off the lambs head. They then do the same with it's legs, then pull out each piece one by one.

The reason I know this? My bosses father used to be a farmer, and this happened to one of his lambs.

Yeah, I've seen something similar done But looking on the bright side, leaving it to Mother Nature would have killed both lamb and ewe.

Oh yes, I agree, but just popped it down in case you wanted to include it into your entry.

I'm not sure of the relevance given the context Vicki. I intended a light-hearted style to make the subject interesting. There are many practices involved with sheep that would cause some people offence, especially if they do not understand the context. For example, every year the RSPCA receives dozens of complaints from hill-walkers who have seen dead lambs left lying in fields for days. To the uninformed, this appears to be callous and lazy and may lead the hillwalkers to think this is symptomatic of a deeper animal cruelty being perpetrated by the farmer. However, lambs die naturally. Very easily and very quickly. Lambs are also hunted by foxes and carrion crows. Crows especially are vicious and will peck the eyes out of a sleeping lamb. By leaving a carcass in the middle of a field, the scavengers are attracted to the carcass and not the living lambs.

Basically, I didn't want the article to become bogged down in gory realities. The scenario of lambs being dismembered in an abortion procedure isn't really relevant to a passer-by trying to assist a birth. I understand why you are pointing this oversight out, but I hope you understand my reasoning.

I understand.

You don't *have* to take information offered. Remember, it's your choice what to include

I think it's only fair that, as you have taken the time & trouble to read the piece and then gone to the bother of actually making a perfectly valid suggestion, I should give a full & clear explanation as to why I don't want to use it.

I appreciate the effort, thank you

you're most welcome

VV

I still remember that poor spider...

Incidentally, you do know that the lamb is dead before dismemberment? The vet will administer a fresh air injection to the carotid artery of the lamb, thereby causing an embolism.

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I'm doing my happy dance now

Your first two entries on the same day - wow! Well done!

And well deserved