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.

 

[Finnie]

Since sheep gestation is 152 days (I just googled that ) it looks like you have about a couple of weeks to go. Exciting! Have you looked up the doe code yet? I believe it applies to sheep as well.

 

[Finnie]

Ok so googling doe code only brought up stuff for the Department of Energy! Ewe code was no better- E W E is also some kind of acronym. But adding the word kidding to doe code finally brought up the Doe Code of Honor, which here is an example of:

Doe Code of Honor

"Trouble" and her newborn doeling. This post is for Claire and Becky , and all the other goat "midwives" out there losing sleep doing nigh...

goatsinthegarden.blogspot.com

Doe Code of Honor
The doe's secret code of honor is as old as goats themselves and is the species best kept secret. No doe shall ever kid before its time. (Its time being determined by the following factors):

1- No kid shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved. Your owner's house must be a wreck, their family hungry and desperate for clean clothes, and their social life nonexistent.

2- "Midwives" must reach the babbling fool status before you kid out. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence mean the time is getting close.

3- For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, kidding must be delayed by at least one day for each item. If they use an audio monitor, one good yell per hour will keep things interesting.

4- If you hear the words, "She's nowhere near ready. She'll be fine while we're away for the weekend," Wait until they load the car, then begin pushing!

5- Owner stress must be at an all time high! If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign you're getting close.

6- When you hear the words "I can't take it anymore!" wait at least three more days.

7 -You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are mandatory! Little teasers such as looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket and then walking away from it, and nesting, are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait.

8- The honor of all goats is now in your hands. Use this time to avenge all of your barn mates. Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of those people. Hang onto that baby for another day. OH, they made him do tricks too! Three more days seems fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful wormings can also be avenged at this time.

9- If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have the kids, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. Severe storm warning is what you're waiting for. In the heart of the storm jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that works!

10- Make the most of your interrupted nights. Beg for food each time someone comes into the barn to check you. Your barn mates will love you as the extra goodies fall their way too.

Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind man of how truly special goats are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful doeling to carry on the Doe Code of Honor for the next generation of those who wait.

Author Unknown



Now you don’t have to look it up.