(1) Lambing records were only available for 1972 and 1973 for Sourhope ewes and gimmers of all breeds and showed the following: (see article) This meant that in terms of attention and vigilance, a high shepherding input was necessary with the South Country Cheviot flock.
(2) Pregnant Dorset horn gimmers inoculated with a non-cytopathic strain of the border disease virus produced "hairy shaker" lambs that were individually affected to a varying degree.
(3) Intensive observation and measurements of some relevant parameters were therefore made in the gimmer age group of this flock, numbering 126, during the lambing season of 1974; 39-7 per cent required assitance.
(4) A 2-year-old Suffolk gimmer presented with clinical signs of haemoglobinuria, jaundice, anaemia and acute mastitis.