The proper feeding and care of the ewes during the 6 weeks prior to lambing is vital to the production of healthy, vigorous lambs. Nutritional requirements of mature ewes will be met throughout most of the gestation period by feeding good quality hay or silage. Around six weeks prior to parturition, supplementation with a grain ration beginning at lambing time. 1-1½ pounds of grain per ewe per day prior to lactation is sufficient for those ewes on good to excellent pasture or free-choice qood quality hay. After lambing, a pound of grain a day for ewes with singles and two pounds per day for ewes with twins is sufficient. Because most fetal growth occurs within the last 6-8 weeks of gestation, the extra energy supplied by grain supplementation helps ensure the birth of strong, healthy lambs as well as ensuring that the ewe is capable of producing sufficient milk for the lambs.

      An energy deficiency in the ewe’s diet can result in what is termed weak lamb syndrome. Often unable to nurse by themselves, these lambs may starve unless special attention is provided. Lambs suffering from weak lamb syndrome are also less resistant to disease. Moderate grain feeding is advantageous, however, ewes should be kept from becoming over-conditioned which can result in difficult and prolonged labor which is also a predisposing factor of weak lamb syndrome. Sufficient pen space to allow room for exercise will also aid in reducing the chance of weak lamb syndrome.

      Four to six weeks prior to the expected lambing date, ewes may be vaccinated against enterotoxemia with a multi-way clostridial vaccine. Enterotoxemia (also known as pulpy kidney disease) affects fast-growing lambs as early as a few days of age. Passive immunity to this disease is passed to the newborn lambs through the ewe’s colostrum and will provide protection to the lamb for a period of approximately 6 weeks. Another method of providing protection to newborn lambs without vaccination of the ewes (which may unnecessarily stimulate the immune system) is to vaccinate the lambs with 1-2 cc's of enterotexmia antitoxin at birth.

      Some breeders feel that it is desirable to shear ewes about two weeks prior to lambing. This will enable you to house more ewes in the same shed space. Also it is easier for the lambs to start suckling and encourages the ewes to seek shelter from cold and to take their newborn lambs with them.

      In the northern United States, a large percentage of the internal parasites undergo arrested development (hypobiosis) during the winter months. Most anthelmintics are only marginally effective against these arrested larva. However around lambing time, maturation of these larva to adults is stimulated. The result is a pre-parturient rise in worm egg counts and the beginning of an internal parasite problem. Just before lambing is an ideal time to worm the ewes. However, make sure that the drug you are using is safe for pregnant ewes.

      The gestation period of sheep averages 147 days, however, lambing may start a few days early. Preparation for early first lambs is important in reducing early death losses.

      After birth, the placenta covering the lamb’s mouth and nostrils should be removed to facilitate breathing. A piece of straw may be gently inserted in the nostrils to initiate breathing if the lamb appears to be having difficulty. The umbilical cord should be dipped in a 7% iodine solution immediately after birth. Failure to perform this important task may result in weakness, high temperatures, and hot, swollen, arthritic joints, the symptoms of navel ill. Prompt use of antibiotics is effective in treating navel ill, however, death can occur quickly if treatment is not given immediately. Preventative measures, such as providing clean lambing pens and an iodine navel dip, are simpler and more effective than treatment. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

      The use of individual pens (jugs) about 3½ to 4 feet square allows for the all-important bonding between a ewe and her lambs as well as for the ability to closely observe the progress of both the ewe and the lambs. The pen should provide an area which is inaccessible to the ewes, thus providing a safe retreat for the lambs. A short board placed diagonally across a corner of the pen works just fine. A heat lamp may be placed above this area providing additional warmth for the lambs. Be sure that the heat lamp is anchored securely and that the wiring is sufficient to prevent overheating of the cord.

      Ewes and lambs should remain in jugs for a minimum of 1-3 days or until lambs are vigorous and any required treatments are completed. Make sure that the lamb suckles within the first half hour because it is vital that the lamb ingest the first milk called colostrum. While in the jug, lambs should receive injections of Vitamin E-selenium (for prevention of white muscle disease) and Vitamin AD. If docking is to be performed using the elastrator method, it is best done prior to 3 days of age. Newborn lambs are very susceptible to infections. To prevent disease build-up in the lambing pens, they should be disinfected with lime or Chlorox and rebedded after each use.

      When the the ewes and lambs are removed from the lambing pens, they may be placed in pens with 10-15 other ewes and their lambs. This allows the lambs to become acclimatized to the barn and helps them learn to identify their dams prior to being turned out with the rest of the flock.

      It is essential a newborn lamb receives colostrum (first milk) as soon as possible after birth as possible.for its survival. Lambs are born with very little immunity to disease at birth, but large quantities of antibodies are present in the ewe’s colostrum and are passed to the lamb when it first nurses. Due to changes which occur rapidly in the digestive tract, lambs can only absorb these antibodies in the first hours after birth.

      Colostrum is very digestible and a high energy feed. Because lambs are born wet into a cold environment and with low energy reserves, they need the energy supplied by the colostrum to maintain their body temperature. Thus, in addition to providing antibodies, colostrum is important in preventing chilling of the newborn lamb. If colostrum from a lamb’s own dam is not available, various substitutes may be used. The most suitable substitute would be to keep a supply of ewe colostrum from your own flock in the freezer stored in ice-cube trays or plastic bags. It may then be thawed at room temperature and used as required. Three or four ounces of colostrum in the first hour after birth will be adequate.

      If ewe colostrum is not available, cow colostrum or home-made colostrum can be used. Neither is an ideal substitute for ewe colostrum as the necessary antibodies are not provided. Both substitutes, however, do supply the readily digestible energy needed by the lambs. Cow colostrum may be frozen and stored in the same way as ewe colostrum. Artificial colostrum may be prepared by combining a quart of warm milk, one well-beaten egg, a tablespoon of corn syrup and a teaspoon of cod liver oil. Lambs may then be started on a quality milk replacer.

      Chilling, prolonged lambing, injury, and sickness of either the ewe or lamb are factors which may prevent lambs from nursing. The use of a stomach tube or an esophageal probe are effective ways of force-feeding lambs. Fifteen to sixteen inches of soft polyethylene tubing (3/16ths of an inch in diameter) with a smooth end may be used as a stomach tube. The tube should be lubricated using cooking oil or colostrum and passed through the mouth until it reaches the center of the throat. In response to gentle pressure, the tube will then enter the esophagus.

      It is important that the tube is not placed into the trachea as introducing fluid into the lungs will result in drowning. Coughing indicates that the tube has been wrongly inserted into the trachea. If a lamb is too weak to respond to improper placement by coughing, a small piece of cotton may be held over the open end of the tubing to detect air movement due to the lamb breathing. Once the tube is correctly positioned in the esophagus, a large syringe, bulb (e.g., turkey baster) or funnel may be used to administer the colostrum. Remember to be gentle when applying pressure to the bulb or syringe.

      The esophageal probe works in much the same way as the tubing in introducing colostrum into the abomasum. The probe, attached to the barrel of an automatic syringe, is placed against the back of the lamb’s mouth. When the lamb swallows, the probe slips into the esophagus and colostrum may then be released from the syringe. Care must be taken when positioning and removing the tube used during for either method to avoid damaging esophageal and mouth tissues. Reviving chilled lambs is one of the most immediate problems facing the producer after the ewe has lambed. Knowing the severity to which a lamb is chilled helps the producer decide upon the proper course of action. The normal rectal temperature of a lamb is 100°F. Lambs chilled below 100 °F to 97°F can be revived through nursing or force feeding, exposure to an external heat source such as a heat lamp and vigorous rubbing. Bedding, sacks or towels can be used to dry and warm the lamb. Lambs should be rubbed vigorously along the backbone and not over the rib cage as excessive pressure on the thoracic area can result in broken ribs. Limbs may also be exercised to stimulate muscle activity. If the temperature doesn’t return to normal within an hour, methods used for reviving severely chilled lambs should be tried.

      When a lamb’s rectal temperature drops below 97°F it has undergone severe chilling. These lambs are often unable to move and the immediate application of a high heat source is required to revive them. This may take in excess of 3 hours but should be continued until the lamb is sufficiently revived. Immersion in very warm water is an effective means of accomplishing this. The water temperature should be increased gradually (to no greater than 115°F) to prevent the lamb from going into shock which can result in death. Placing the lamb in a plastic bag for the water bath will help the lamb retain its natural odor and reduce the chances of rejection when returned to its dam.

      Another method of reviving severely chilled lambs involves the use of a "hot box" which may be constructed of either cardboard or plywood. An opening is cut in a box to allow a hairdryer nozzle to pass through. Another opening should be provided to allow the lamb’s head to remain outside the box. The lamb should be placed on a raised rack allowing all body surfaces to come in contact with the circulating air.

      Fostering lambs is a practice which may be required under certain circumstances. The death of a ewe, inadequate milk production, and/or the birth of three or more lambs are all situations where fostering is a more desirable solution than artificial rearing. Ewes with single lambs or those with lambs born dead are ideal for adopting lambs.

      Regardless of the fostering method used, several points must be remembered to ensure a successful adoption. Fostering of a lamb to a ewe should be done immediately after the ewe has lambed. If fostering a lamb from a set of triplets, select the strongest lamb as it will have the greatest chance for survival. Keep the ewe and her adopted lamb in confined quarters and under close observation until the lamb has been accepted by the ewe.

      Rubbing the adopted lamb with the placenta of the ewe’s own lamb will help the ewe to identify the lamb as her own. The dead lamb may also be skinned and the pelt tied to the adopted lamb. It may be necessary to tie the legs of the adopted lamb to prevent the lamb from standing for 10-15 minutes - the usual length of time it takes for a newborn lamb to stand.