Pre- and Post Lambing Care

1. Pre- and Post Lambing Care Karen Hutchinson Virginia Cooperative Extension This presentation is from Virginia Tech and has not been edited by the Georgia Curriculum Office.

2. Seminar Goals • Identify steps to take prior to parturition • List some signs of an impending birth • Discuss techniques for post-parturition lamb care • Discuss techniques for post-parturition ewe care

3. Pre-Parturition Ewe Care • Steps to take for healthy ewes and lambs • Feeding • Increase feed levels gradually, to allow ewe to accustom herself to higher levels. • Higher feed levels necessary to promote and carry out good milk production • Minerals/Salt • Provide free choice salt and minerals for the ewes • Provide ample supplies of water, also free choice • Avoid copper, as it leads to toxicity

4. Pre-Parturition Ewe Care, cont’d. • Steps to take for healthy ewes and lambs • Location • If possible, move ewes to a more accessible spot, close to facilities for lambing and care • In a close location, ewes can be watched carefully, without the hassle of getting out and hiking a ways into the fields to do a simple check on them • Preparing the ‘jug’ • Clean, dry bedding • Close to water, feed, etc..

5. Pre-Parturition Ewe Care, cont’d. • Steps to take for healthy ewes and lambs • Crotching the ewes • Closely trim the area around the ewes hind end, allowing the vulva to be seen easily • Decreases messiness at lambing • Secure Supplies • Maintain a ‘lambing kit’ in the barn or lambing facilities, so all supplies will be on hand in an emergency

6. Lambing Kit Supplies • Dental floss or thin cotton twine for tying off umbilical cord • Navel dip (mixture of iodine and rubbing alcohol) • Towels • Sharp scissors • Soap • Clean bucket for hot water • Stomach feeding tube and syringe

7. Restlessness Ewe off feed Ewe strays from flock Ewe hesitant to come near people, even when food is involved Ewe kicks or noses at side or belly Belly drops Vulva loosens Mucous from vulva Ewe lays down and gets up repeatedly and frequently Signs of the Impending Birth

8. Post-Parturition Lamb Care • After birth (if you’re there), clear lamb’s nose and mouth of mucous and liquid • Tickle nostrils with piece of straw or hay to encourage snorting and breathing • If ewe is unable, towel off lamb and set lamb by her head

9. Post-Parturition Lamb Care, cont’d. • Clip, Dip, and Strip • Clip: Clip the lamb’s navel, either separating it from the ewe, or shortening an excessively long cord that was already broken naturally • Dip: Dip the navel in an iodine and rubbing alcohol mixture to kill any germs and protect the lamb against infection • Strip: Strip the first bit of waxy substance from the ewe’s teats, enabling the lamb free access to colostrum

10. Post-Parturition Lamb Care, cont’d. • Watch for birth of additional lambs • Repeat process for them • Be sure lamb eats within an hour. • If lamb can’t eat, the ewe won’t let him, etc.., may have to stomach tube feed some colostrum.

11. Post-Parturition Ewe Care • Feeds/Feeding • Watch the ewe closely the first day or so after lambing to monitor her feed intake. • May have to adjust feeds appropriately, depending on how many lambs she has and how her milk production is. • Provide plenty of roughage.

12. Post-Parturition Ewe Care, cont’d. • Water Supply • Provide ample amounts of water, but again, be sure that the lambs are keeping up with her milk supply. • Immediately after birth, can add a cup of molasses to a bucket of warm water for the ewe to drink. • Adds some sugars, helps the ewe “bounce back” from the birth.

13. Post-Parturition Ewe Care, cont’d. • Udder Checks • Check udder at least once a week the first week after lambing to be sure the lambs are nursing evenly on both sides • Check for hot, swollen, or red udders, which may be indications of mastitis • Check to monitor how much milk the ewe is producing.

14. Post-Parturition Ewe Care, cont’d. • Watch carefully both in the jug and outside to be sure ewe is caring for lambs. • Be sure she “takes” them and feeds them. • Watch for signs of hostility • Monitor ewe body condition score • Keep an eye on the ewe’s general body condition • Use body condition scores to appropriately adjust feed levels