Preparing for lambs

[halfacrehomesteader]

This will be our first lambing season. I was curious about what to do as far as lambing pens. I only have 2 ewes and I'm pretty sure they are both pregnant. They were in with a ram starting 19 weeks ago so I am coming up on the time they could possibly lamb. I have a 33 square foot stall for each inside of an enclosure that is probably 650 square feet. During the day I have them on our half acre and in the evening they are put in their stalls. My question is when they get close to lambing time do I keep them in their stalls full time or in the enclosure full time? What signs would need to be shown to know when they need to be contained? Any things you can think of that would be good to keep on hand? I have gloves, iodine, and coconut oil if I need to assist with getting lamb out. Thanks in advance!

 

[fuzzi]

This will be our first lambing season. I was curious about what to do as far as lambing pens. I only have 2 ewes and I'm pretty sure they are both pregnant. They were in with a ram starting 19 weeks ago so I am coming up on the time they could possibly lamb. I have a 33 square foot stall for each inside of an enclosure that is probably 650 square feet. During the day I have them on our half acre and in the evening they are put in their stalls. My question is when they get close to lambing time do I keep them in their stalls full time or in the enclosure full time? What signs would need to be shown to know when they need to be contained? Any things you can think of that would be good to keep on hand? I have gloves, iodine, and coconut oil if I need to assist with getting lamb out. Thanks in advance!

I don't know anything about birthing lambs, I just am here to learn.

 

[Baymule]

What breed of sheep do you have?
As lambing approaches, the ewes udder will get full and tight. The nipples will engorge and stick out.
The ligaments on the top of their rump, along the spine, at their tail, will soften up. Squeeze with your hand now, it will probably feel firm. Close to lambing the ligaments loosen up to facilitate opening the birth canal for the lamb to pass through. They will be squishy.

Her belly will drop and her flsnks will hollow out.

 

[halfacrehomesteader]

Sge is a katahdin. I feel like her flanks are already getting hollow. It's too soon though! When that starts to happen how long after do they usually lamb? She is can be no more than 133 days along because that is when she was first with the ram. Do I need to keep her in her pen 24/7 when she is close or can she stay in our enclosure? I'm getting anxious but so excited !

 

[SageHill]

She’s probably ok out in the enclosure- guessing it’s not that big. She will lose the mucus plug first - you’ll be able to see mucus hanging and hour or more before she lambs. Do what you and she are comfortable with. If you keep her in her pen alone she will more than likely be unhappy without her pal.

 

[halfacrehomesteader]

She’s probably ok out in the enclosure- guessing it’s not that big. She will lose the mucus plug first - you’ll be able to see mucus hanging and hour or more before she lambs. Do what you and she are comfortable with. If you keep her in her pen alone she will more than likely be unhappy without her pal.

Thanks for the reply! Yeah it not overly large. I think I will just plan then to keep them in that area. I can't wait to see little lambs running around .

 

[Baymule]

I let mine choose where they want to lamb. Most choose a safe enclosed place, some choose the wide open field.
For new moms, you might want to jug them together for several days. Jugging is putting them in a small pen so they can bond. To get the mom to follow, hold lambs down low so she can see and smell them.
I have a mom with triplets right now, she is in a separate pen so I can feed her extra.

 

[SageHill]

You could check out Sandi Brock on youtube - she runs a large commercial flock in Canada. Lots of great info there and watching lambing and such.