Lamb Care: Nurturing the Next Generation

Lambing season is a time of both joy and responsibility on the farm. Ensuring newborn lambs get the best possible start in life requires careful preparation and attentive care. From having a well-stocked lambing kit to monitoring ewe and lamb health, the early moments after birth are crucial. In this guide, we’ll walk through the key steps to keeping both ewes and lambs healthy and thriving.

Immediate Post-Birth Care

The moments right after birth set the tone for a lamb’s survival and strength. Here’s what to do:

1. • Clear the lamb’s face of mucus to ensure unobstructed breathing.

• Confirm the lamb is breathing—rub vigorously with a clean towel if needed.

1. • Clip, Dip, Strip:
     
     • • Clip the umbilical cord to about 1-2 inches.
     • • Dip the cord in iodine to prevent infection.
     • • Strip the ewe’s teats to remove the waxy plug, ensuring immediate access to colostrum.

1. • Lambs should be on their feet within 10-15 minutes. If they struggle to stand, investigate why.

1. • Monitor the ewe’s acceptance of her lambs. She should be licking and mothering them immediately.

Having clipped fingernails will help if there is a need to do an internal check of the ewe.

Bonding & Nursing

Indoor lambing means setting up lambing jugs—small pens for bonding. These prevent lamb-stealing and protect lambs from overly protective mothers.

• Ensure lambs nurse as soon as possible. Colostrum in the first few hours is essential for immunity.

• If an anxious ewe won’t allow nursing, step away for 15 minutes—they often work it out naturally.

• Check frequently but quietly. Watch for any health concerns without disturbing the bonding process.

• After the ewe has lambed, offer her a large bucket of warm water with molasses (about 1/2 cup). Warm water is important as the ewe may be reluctant to drink very cold water, which can lower milk production.

• Offer good hay, but no grain on the first day, as grain could promote more milk than the lambs can consume. However, if the ewe birthed twins or triplets and seems short of milk, grain or alfalfa pellets should start on the first day.

Monitoring Health & Well-Being

Keeping a close eye on ewes and lambs in the first few days is crucial:

• Check lamb bottoms for pinning (a blockage of the rectal opening) and scours (diarrhea). Treat scours immediately, especially if foul-smelling or if the lamb is lethargic.

• Listen for coughing or moaning and watch for droopy ears or inability to rise—these can indicate health issues needing prompt attention.

• Keep water buckets elevated in lambing jugs to prevent accidental drowning.

Preventing & Treating Hypothermia

Lambs are especially vulnerable to the cold, particularly small lambs, triplets, or those born in wet, windy conditions.

Signs of a Warm, Healthy Lamb:

• Body temperature of 102-103°F

• Warm ears and mouth

• Strong sucking reflex

• Alert and eager to nurse

• A full belly that feels like a softball

Signs of Hypothermia:

• Mild (99-102°F): Lethargic, arched back, cold ears and mouth, weak nursing

• Severe (below 99°F): Too weak to stand, unable to nurse, at serious risk

Avoiding Hypothermia:

• Keep bedding clean and dry.

• Lambing areas should be draft-free.

• Dry wet lambs with individual towels.

• Ensure lambs nurse within the first hour.

• Use lamb jackets—cut a sleeve off a wool sweater for a DIY version, or purchase one from Premier 1 Supplies.

Treating Hypothermia:

1. Take the lamb’s rectal temperature to assess care needs.

2. Dry the lamb thoroughly with a clean towel.

3. Place the lamb in a warm, draft-free area, wrapped in a dry towel.

4. Use a heating pad in a box or container to retain warmth.

5. Monitor temperature every 30 minutes.

6. Do not tube feed a lamb that cannot swallow or is unconscious.

7. As soon as the lamb is warmed up, return it to its mother and assist in getting the lamb to latch for nursing.

8. Offer the lamb a heat lamp and ensure it is either nursing on its own or being hand-fed.

9. When in doubt, call your vet. Prompt intervention can save lives.

Important Things to Remember

• Be patient.

• Monitor and observe.

• Maintain a clean environment and supplies.

• Check ewes often.

• Keep ewes and lambs safe.

• Unsure about a ewe’s progress? Carefully perform an internal exam.

• Be proactive in helping ewes and lambs.

• Time is of the essence—act quickly when needed.

• Keep good records of births and interventions.

• When in doubt, reach out—don’t wait to ask for help.

A Season of Vigilance & Reward

Lambing season is a demanding yet deeply rewarding time. With attentive care, proper nutrition, and proactive health monitoring, newborn lambs have the best chance of thriving. By nurturing the next generation with diligence and heart, we ensure strong, healthy flocks for years to come.

Lambing time on the farm is full of long nights and early mornings, but the sight of wobbly-legged lambs frolicking in the pastures makes it all worthwhile. If you’re embarking on this journey, we hope these insights help you navigate the season with confidence!