COVER STORY

Here come the lambs!

With spring nearly here, Gloucestershire farmer and BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson explains how experiencing the birth of a lamb first-hand teaches children so much about the cycle of life

Adam Henson is getting ready for lambing, one of his busiest and most exciting times of the year. But he’s happy to answer a few questions from Primary Times.

What are the benefits to children of seeing live lambing?

“It’s wonderful that young people can see sheep giving birth. It’s great to understand about how reproduction works, and the process of sheep farming. Then, to see animals being born, to see young life coming into the world, is incredibly special. Getting close to the sheep, seeing them go through the birthing process and seeing lambs being born is wonderful for young people.”

How can you tell when a ewe is about to give birth?

“A ewe becomes quite restless when she’s about to give birth. She’ll lie down, she’ll stand up, she’s feeling uncomfortable and going through the early stages of giving birth. Then she’ll go round in circles and lie down again. She’ll start licking her lips in anticipation of licking her newborn lamb. Sheep usually lie down with their back legs tucked underneath them but when she starts to have contractions, she often pushes her back legs out, which makes her feel more comfortable. Then, as the contractions come, she lifts her head up – they call it ‘stargazing’ – because she looks up to the sky as she’s pushing.”

How old were you when you first started lambing?

“I’ve been working here on the farm ever since I was a little boy. I was born and brought up here and I helped my dad from the moment I could walk and carry a bucket. So he used to work with me and my three sisters as his little helpers and give us jobs to do. I probably lambed my first ewe when I was about ten and my father would help me guide the lamb out into the world, just with simple, straight-forward lambing to start off with. Then as things got more complex I’d be able to help out. Actually, when there’s not a lot of room inside, with a larger lamb, having little hands is quite useful! But you do have to be reasonably strong. When you’re helping a ewe give birth, it’s about being careful but firm.”

What’s been your most memorable lambing moment?

“I’ve been lambing sheep for as long as I can remember, and I’ve had lots of memorable moments. Every time a lamb comes into the world, it’s special. Even though I’ve seen thousands of births, it’s still a moving experience. There are times when I’ve had lambs that have been very stuck and it’s been very difficult. Occasionally one comes out ‘mispresented’ so its front legs are back and its head comes out on its own. Then you have to push the lamb back into the birth canal and carefully use string to pull the head forward again, in the right position relative to the feet so it can all come out successfully. I was working for ‘Countryfile’ one day and came across that situation in the lambing shed. I was with Ellie Harrison, one of my copresenters, and the cameras were on us. We had to get it right. What I didn’t want to do – for millions of people watching the programme – was to deliver a stillborn lamb. There was a lot of pressure and I had to keep turning to the camera and talking to the camera, but also explaining to Ellie what was going on. The lamb was born successfully and I think it was a really moving piece of television as well.”

Lambing season starts at Cotswold Farm Park on Monday 14 February.

Find out more at www. cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk.