Lambing time is the harvest season in the sheep business for most producers. This season can create many challenges and frustrations for a producer. All ewes don't react in the same way during the lambing season, all lambs don't respond in the same way, and all producers don't manage in the same manner. The following are some points about ewes and lambs that may help during this season.

Lambing Problems

To interfere or not to interfere is always a big question during lambing. Many times we help too soon. Normally once a ewe has passed her water bag, something should happen within the next half hour to hour. If not, you should examine the ewe for problems. If you have to help a ewe lamb it would seem wise rather than finishing the lambing yourself and then dropping the lamb near the nose of the ewe, to correct the problem only to the point where the ewe can be left in peace to complete the birth by herself. If the lamb is pulled, it should be left behind the ewe so she will find it in the normal way after you leave. Remember these points:

1. Do not rush nature; if a ewe is progressing, leave her alone. 2. Be clean and gentle.
3. Think what you are feeling; determine the position and correct it before pulling.
4. Check for a second or third lamb.
5. Follow up any ewe you enter with intra-uterine medicine.
6. Know your limitations; seek assistance before losing the ewe and the lambs.

What determines or influences a ewe's desire to claim and care for her lamb or lambs? To those working with lambing ewes, it quickly becomes apparent that all ewes don't have the same degree of mother love for their lamb or lambs. Basically, the principal factors that affect mothering ability are: the genetics of the ewe; the age of the ewe; the condition of the ewe; and the disturbance of the ewe during and immediately following lambing.

Genetically, there is differences between breeds as well as crosses in mothering ability. Breeds have been selected and advanced for different reasons and because of that we have differences in mothering ability. However, the biggest differences genetically in mothering ability probably lies within breeds and crosses. To improve the overall mothering ability of a flock, select daughters out of good mothering ewes and don't worry about breeds or crosses. A good set of records during lambing time is a must if mothering ability in the future is to change drastically in a flock.

There is no question that ewe lambs and yearlings lambing for the first time react differently than older ewes to mothering up their lamb or lambs. They appear to like their lambs but often do not clean them off very well by licking and are scared at first about letting them nurse. As long as the lamb is quiet, all is fine, but if it tries to nurse, the ewe may jump to one side and butt the lamb, knocking it down. This may be repeated for an hour or more until the lamb gives up or accidentally seizes the teat in his mouth and starts to nurse, after which all is well.

Apparently the ewe derives considerable pleasure from the nursing act. Some ewe lambs or yearlings lambing for the first time must be penned with their lambs and the lambs helped to suck until the ewes become accustomed to them. Sometimes, ewe lambs and yearlings have little milk at lambing time. If that happens, the lamb or lambs need to be bottle-fed once or twice a day in addition to nursing. Usually, the milk flow will increase sufficiently in a couple of days to care for the lamb or lambs.

Ewes in good condition and well fed are usually good mothers. If they are not, they will often quit the newborn lambs. This conforms to the first law of nature, self preservation. Hungary ewes are impatient mothers when it comes time for nursing. Ewes which are bothered or alarmed during or immediately after lambing will often leave their lambs, and may not return. If possible, it is a good management practice to put ewes in a lambing area a few days before the ewes are actually due to come in. This will reduce stress to the ewes, especially first time lambers. The person in charge of lambing the ewes should avoid disturbing the ewes during the birth process, especially young ewes.

Ownership Of Lambs

Persuading a ewe to claim her lamb or lambs can sometimes be very difficult. The problem is greater when ewes lamb for the first time than it is with older ewes. If you have trouble with a ewe two years in a row, it would be best to cull her.

Why does a ewe fail to claim her offspring? There is no clear-cut answer. A ewe may disown one or all of her lambs for a variety of reasons.

1. A ewe may deliver one lamb in one part of the barn and a second lamb in another part of the barn.
2. One of a set of twins may wander away from the mother before she has fully recovered from delivery.
3. The ewe may have a very painful udder because of swelling, caking or infection.
4. The teats may be cut or chapped, causing the ewe a great deal of discomfort.
5. A ewe that has been in labor for a long time may not be interested in her lamb for quite a while after delivery. 6. Sometimes a ewe may run a high temperature for several days after lambing and not show much interest in her lambs.
7. Sometimes ewes that are very nervous and flighty may present problems.
8. Some young ewes lambing for the first time may be frightened by the lambs they have given birth to.

Colostrum Needs Of Newborn Lambs

A lamb born under normal conditions needs about 3 ounces per pound of bodyweight in the first 18 hours for heat production to avoid hypothermia. Lambs are capable of consuming more if fed adlib. If you are feeding orphans, it is suggested that the needed amount be divided into 3 or 4 feedings to prevent overdistension of the stomach.

Underfed ewes give approximately half the quantity of colostrum that overfed ewes give during the first 18 hours after parturition. Well fed ewes with single lambs produce enough colostrum to feed a second lamb, while underfed ewes seldom produce enough colostrum for twins.

Tube Feeding

Sometimes lambs are born too weak to nurse. Without that first colostrum, their survival rate is very low. If left to fend for themselves, they don't make it. However, many can be saved by tube feeding, even those who are too weak to suck. The key is getting the milk into them as soon as possible after birth. The milk should be warm but not hot. Generally 2 ounces every two hours will do the trick. Return the lamb to its mother as soon as it is strong enough to stand and nurse. Leaving it away from mother too long may result in the ewe rejecting the lamb.

The tubing should be 14 to 18 inches long and preferably rubber, like that used in surgical tubing. What you attach to it is up to you. A needle-type syringe (preferably a 60 cc or about 2 ounce) works good. The tubing should be coated with vegetable oil before inserting it into the lamb's throat. Getting the tube in the stomach and not the lungs is very important. Pouring milk into the lungs can cause pneumonia. If possible, it is best to insert the tubing into the lamb without it being attached to the syringe.

There are two ways to check if you're in the right place. First, if you hit a bump as you are inserting the tube, backup and try again. You can tell by the amount of tube in the lamb whether you are getting to the stomach or not. Secondly, if you feel cool air coming out of the empty tube after it has been inserted you are in the wrong place. Remove the tube and try again.

Positioning the lamb before inserting the tube depends on if you are doing it alone or with someone else. In either case, the head and neck of the lamb should be extended forward to allow a more direct path for the tube to get into the stomach. If you are alone, place the lamb on a table or series of straw bales so that the lamb is at a handy height for you to work with. Have all four feet facing you and hold the body with your left forearm. Straighten the lamb's head and neck with your left hand while at the same time using your fingers to open the lamb's mouth to receive the tube.

Remember, the tubing should be from a warm sterile solution before inserting. A couple of feedings (2 ounces each) of colostrum will save many lambs that would otherwise die.

Lamb Surveillance

Baby lambs that appear to be sleeping peacefully in a corner of the pen every time you check them may not be so peaceful. Its a good idea to nudge them just to see if everything is OK. Ninety percent of the time they will get up lazily, stretch, and go find their mom and nurse. But sometimes they may topple over when you get them up from being too weak from lack of food. The effort to check them may just save a lamb before its too late. Remember that healthy lambs are active lambs, especially after they are a few days old. You can test the extent of the emergency by checking the temperature of the lamb's mouth with your finger. If its mouth is cool, it needs help immediately. If it sucks your finger, it can probably suck a bottle provided it can stand. If it can't suck, you will have to use a tube to get food directly into its stomach.

1994