Lambing is the most important activity that occurs in the sheep flock each year. Success or failure during lambing season is the largest single factor affecting the profitability of the sheep flock. Producers need to help stack the deck to ensure a successful lambing season.

Lambing season prep

As lambing season approaches, the ewes that are closest to lambing should be sorted out as they will require more attention. This is determined by using the breeding dates and physical appearance of the ewes. If there is enough room, this pen of ewes should be locked up at night. Never put ewes into lambing pens if they have not lambed as they may not have enough room to get the lamb out. Be sure they are finished lambing before putting ewes into lambing pens.

Pre-season lambing activities checklist:

1. Increase level of ewe nutrition six weeks prior to lambing
2. Crutch or shear ewes
3. Booster immunizations which may include C, D and T
4. Trim feet
5. Clean out barn and set up lambing pens
6. Check heat lamps, feeders and water buckets
7. Get lambing equipment supplies together

Observe ewes more frequently during lambing season. Observe the ewes as inconspicuously as possible. Upsetting a pen of ewes will sometimes interrupt an ewe that was in the early part of labor. 

Lambing equipment supplies checklist:

1. Iodine (usually 7%)
2. Towels
3. Plastic sleeves and disposable gloves
4. O.B. lube
5. Scissors
6. Ewe restrainer
7. Baby bottle
8. Stomach tube and two-ounce syringe
9. Uterine boluses
10. Halter
11. Lamb milk replacer and colostrum replacer 

Ewe lambing signs

The udder becomes engorged, swollen and slightly red. Ewe lambing signs also include the vulva stretching out and becomes red and swollen. Often, an ewe will miss a feeding or separate herself from the flock shortly before labor begins. 

Sheep birthing process

The sheep birthing process starts when the ewe begins contractions and begins getting up and down frequently. She will paw the ground. The ewe will lie down and push with her nose up in the air. At this point, leave the sheep alone and don’t disturb. Observe them quietly.
 
The water bag will appear first. After the water bag appears, lambs should be on the ground in about ½ hour to 1 hour. If you are there, make sure the lamb’s mouth and nose are clean of mucous and fluid. Make sure the lambs are breathing.
 
Allow the ewe to claim the newborn lamb and dry it off. You can assist, if she will let you. Make sure the ewe isn’t going to have another lamb. Put the ewe and lamb in the lambing pens. Shake out two flakes of straw in the lambing pens. Setup the heat lamp. Don’t set up the lamps to low or it will burn the ewe. Clip and iodine the navel. Clip the navel to one inch long and dip in 7% iodine.
 
Strip the teats. Make sure the milk is flowing from both teats. Make sure each lamb gets a good drink. Wait till the lambs have nursed on their own before giving the ewe a flake alfalfa hay and water.
 
If the lambs have arrived before you did follow the same steps. Check the ewe and lambs again in 1 ½ hours to make sure the ewe owns the lambs and they are nursing properly. The ewe will normally pass the after birth in one or two hours. Do not attempt to pull the after birth out.

How to help a sheep give birth

If the ewe is having trouble getting the lambs out, you may have to assist with the sheep birthing process. Use the ewe restrainer to restrain the ewe. Use the sleeves and O.B. lube provided. Check the ewe to make sure the ewe is fully dilated. Be sure all the legs and head belong to the same lamb. Alternate pulling one leg then the other, at a slightly downward angle. Place the lamb in front of the ewe.

Handling lamb death

Unfortunately, lamb death may occur during the sheep birthing process. If an ewe has a dead lamb, dispose of the lambs and any birthing fluids properly to prevent disease and deter predators. It is always good practice to wear disposable gloves or sleeves when handling dead lambs or birthing fluids. If the ewe only has dead lambs, put her in a lambing pen that has been strawed. Decrease the quality of her hay, provide water and do not feed her any grain supplement. The idea is to reduce energy consumption in an effort to save her udder and dry her up without mastitis complications. It is not recommended to strip her teats if she isn’t nursing a lamb. In some cases, another lamb can be grafted on to this ewe.

Lambing season helpful hits

• During lambing season check the sheep barn first and feed the sheep first in the morning.
• Don’t wear heavy perfumes or colognes around a newborn lamb as the smell will confuse the mother and could cause her to reject her lambs.
• Use extreme caution when handling lambs from more than one ewe. Mixing the smell of one newborn lamb to another will cause the ewe to reject her own lamb. Use the plastic gloves or wash hands in between.
• Get a newborn lamb breathing quickly by sticking a small piece of straw up its nose. This helps to clear the airway and makes the lamb sneeze. Always wipe away excess mucous or membranes first. Also rub the lamb's ribcage to get the lamb going.
• Getting colostrum into the newborn lamb in the first 15 minutes is very important. It will warm up the lamb, give it energy and supply antibodies.
• When attempting to get the newborn lamb to nurse, tickle the lamb under the tail. This stimulates suckling.
• When carrying a newborn lamb, keep it close to the mother. A good ewe will follow her lamb into the lambing pens. Carry the lambs low.
• When putting iodine on the navel, tip the lamb up with the bottle. The stuff will stain your hands and clothes.
• Before putting an ewe into the lambing pens, make sure they are cleaned out and freshly bedded. This prevents disease problems.
• If a ewe won’t allow a newborn lamb to nurse, tie the ewe up with a halter and help the lambs nurse. A head gate can also be used to restrain the ewe so the lambs can nurse.
• Golden Rule: First due no harm

Want more tips on raising lambs? Check out this article to learn best practices for creep feeding lambs.