A sheep with an unusually large belly can cause concern, especially for beginner farmers or homesteaders who may worry or stress about their flock’s health.
That said, it doesn’t always mean something is wrong.
The belly may appear large for simple reasons like eating, but it can also indicate bloating, pregnancy, or disease.
By observing their behavior, examining their stomach, and taking preventive steps, you can manage these situations effectively and feel more confident in caring for your sheep.
Is the sheep full from eating?
When sheep graze, their stomachs fill with food and air during the natural process of digestion.
A full stomach is normal and can even appear quite large, especially after a long day of grazing.
How to check
- Look at the sheep’s behavior. A full sheep will chew cud calmly, showing no signs of discomfort.
- Observe the belly’s shape. If the sheep is shut in overnight, its belly will likely appear smaller in the morning because the stomach empties and the sheep burps out gas as part of healthy fermentation.
- Feel the stomach gently. A healthy full stomach feels soft but firm, not overly tight or hard.
Sitting or Resting: Sheep often ruminate while lying down or resting. This is when they are relaxed and not grazing or actively moving around.
Chewing Movements: Sheep ruminate by repeatedly chewing their cud in a slow, rhythmic manner. This chewing is distinct from when they graze.
How to prevent overeating issues
- You can feed them a small amount of hay before letting sheep onto a new pasture. This pads the stomach and reduces overeating of rich forage.
- Rotate pastures to avoid overexposure to rich legumes like clover.
- Offer free-choice baking soda to aid digestion.
Could the Sheep Be Bloated?
Bloating (ruminal tympany) happens when gas from fermentation builds up faster than it can be expelled.
Legumes like clover are known culprits because they produce large amounts of gas during digestion.
Clover often grows more as the weather cools, making it tempting and dangerous for grazing sheep.
There is also frothy bloat, which is a specific type of bloat that is different from free-gas bloat (the more common form of bloat). Frothy bloat occurs when gas produced in the rumen is trapped within a foam, making it impossible for the sheep to release it by burping.
In contrast, free-gas bloat happens when gas accumulates in the rumen but isn’t expelled due to physical blockages or other issues.
How to check
The signs of bloating can be the following:
- A significantly swollen belly, especially on the left side, where the rumen is located.
- The sheep shows signs of discomfort, such as grinding teeth or kicking its belly.
- Severe bloating might cause labored breathing and restlessness.
- Reduced or stopped cud-chewing.
- Reduced activity, reluctance to move, or agitation. In severe cases, the sheep may collapse or struggle to stay on its feet.
How to prevent bloating
- Don’t let sheep graze on lush clover-filled pastures first thing in the morning when dew is present.
- Limit grazing time in new, rich pastures. Start with small periods and increase gradually.
- Feed the sheep hay before pasture time. This helps pad the rumen and reduces the impact of rich forage.
- Plant non-bloating legumes on your pasture. One of the alternatives is birdsfoot trefoil.
- Let them graze areas with tannic plants, shrubs, or tree leaves. These can reduce gas buildup.
- Offer free-choice baking soda to aid digestion. This helps sheep manage excess gas naturally.
Bloating in sheep is not only influenced by diet and environmental factors but also varies by breed, as some breeds are more prone to it due to their genetic predisposition and digestive system characteristics.
Some breeds, like Katahdins, are generally less prone to bloating due to their hardy nature and efficient digestive systems.
What to do if bloating occurs
The first thing you need to do is evaluate the situation: is it mild, or is it a severe case?
If it is a mild case, you can try is to walk the sheep gently to encourage movement and gas release.
Avoid feeding it anymore until the issue is resolved.
Also for mild cases, you can also try turning the sheep on its side very gently and massaging the rumen area (left flank) in a circular motion using firm but gentle pressure, focusing on the swollen area. After massaging, help the sheep stand up and walk around to promote gas expulsion.
You can also offer products like vegetable oil, mineral oil, or a specialized anti-bloat drench that can help break down the foam. Administer the agent orally, following your vet’s guidance.
In cases of severe bloating, contact a veterinarian for immediate assistance.
Is the Sheep Pregnant?
If you know that you did not separate the sheep and there is a slight chance they might be pregnant, you need to check.
A pregnant ewe’s belly naturally grows as her lambs develop. The size of the belly depends on the stage of pregnancy and the number of lambs she is carrying.
How to check
- Look for other pregnancy signs, like swollen udders, increased appetite, or a calmer demeanor. Pregnant ewes often show an increase in appetite as they require more nutrition.
- Feel for lamb movement by placing your hand gently on the lower belly.
Over time, the ewe’s belly may visibly grow, particularly on the right side, where lamb development occurs.
Could It Be a Disease?
Certain health conditions can lead to swelling in a sheep’s belly, and these issues should never be ignored.
Some of the conditions are internal parasites, intestinal blockages, or pulpy kidney disease.
These conditions should be treated promptly with veterinary care.
Internal parasites
Parasites like haemonchus (barber pole worm) can cause bloating and other symptoms like:
- Swollen belly and weight loss.
- Pale gums or eyelids (a sign of anemia).
- Bottle jaw (swelling under the jaw).
To prevent internal parasites you can do the following:
- Move sheep to clean pastures regularly to break the parasite life cycle.
- Keep feeding areas and water sources clean to minimize exposure.
- Provide balanced nutrition, including minerals, to keep sheep healthy and more resistant to parasites.
- Quarantine and deworm new sheep before introducing them to your flock.
- Follow a vet-recommended deworming schedule.
Overgrazed pastures force sheep to graze close to the ground, where parasite larvae are concentrated.
Internal blockage
An internal blockage occurs when the normal movement of food, fluid, or gas through the digestive system is obstructed.
Symptoms of internal blockage are:
- Swollen abdomen due to gas or fluid build-up.
- Decreased appetite. The sheep can stop eating due to discomfort.
- Sheep can appear weak and less active.
- Little to no fecal output, or dry and small droppings.
- Rapid breathing due to pressure on the diaphragm from the swollen abdomen.
If you suspect a blockage, it is essential to call a veterinarian for help immediately. In cases where the blockage is severe or caused by a foreign object, surgery may be required to remove the obstruction and save the sheep.
As prevention, you can try to:
- Keep grazing areas free of debris, such as plastic, wire, or string. Sheep may ingest items like plastic, twine, or nails, leading to blockages or damage in the digestive tract.
- Ensure a balanced diet with adequate fiber and access to clean, fresh water. Internal blockages can sometimes result from a build-up of undigested food, often caused by a diet low in fiber or dehydration.
- Implement a parasite management program. Heavy infestations of worms can physically obstruct the digestive tract.
