Lambing season is one of the most exciting and exhausting times of the year for a shepherdess. No matter how many years you’ve been at it, there’s always something new to learn. After years of lambing, I still find myself growing and adapting each season. Having confidence in your abilities while remaining humble and open to learning will set you up for success. In this guide, I’ll walk you through essential preparations for both your ewes and yourself, including my tried-and-true lambing kit essentials.
Preparing Your Ewes for Lambing
Proper care of your ewes leading up to lambing is critical for ensuring healthy births and strong lambs. Here’s what I do to keep my ewes in top condition:
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- Free-Choice Minerals, Salt, and Kelp – Providing these essential nutrients supports overall health and well-being.
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- Selenium and Vitamin E Supplementation – Given throughout the year in gel form, this helps prevent white muscle disease and supports lamb viability.
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- Quality Forage – Ewes receive high-quality grass hay with a small amount of alfalfa to provide extra protein, which is especially important in our northern climate where energy requirements increase during harsh winters.
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- Fresh, Clean Water – Always ensuring access to clean water is vital for hydration and overall health.
The Lambing Kit: Essential Supplies
Being prepared for both the expected and the unexpected is key. I keep my lambing supplies in a small, labeled plastic box with a secure-fitting lid. Here’s what I include:
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Gentle Iodine Solution – For dipping navels to prevent infection.
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Sharp Scissors – For trimming the umbilical cord if needed.
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Exam Gloves & Latex Gloves – I wear long exam gloves up to my armpits and layer latex gloves over them for better grip and sensitivity.
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OB Lube – Applied to gloves for ease when performing a check.
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Hanging Scale – To record birth weights.
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Nutri-Drench – A quick energy boost for both ewe and lamb after labor.
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Clean Towels – For drying off lambs.
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Nasal Aspirator (Bulb Syringe) – Helps clear mucus from a lamb’s airways.
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Lambing Chart – Essential for tracking dates, sire and dam info, birth type (single, twins, triplets), and lamb sexes.
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Colostrum Oral Gel – Provides early immunity support if needed.
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Jump-Start Plus – An oral microbial gel for extra support in weaker lambs.
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Wool Jackets for Cold Lambs – I make these from the sleeves of old wool sweaters.
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Heat Lamp – Used only if temperatures are dangerously low.
Setting Up the Lambing Area
A clean, comfortable space for lambing ensures a smoother process. Our barn is prepped with:
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Fresh Straw in Each Lambing Jug – Provides a clean, warm space.
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Clean Water Buckets & Hay Bins – Ensures the ewe has immediate access to food and hydration.
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Small Lambing Jugs (Pens) – We use these for 24 hours or less after birth to ensure bonding and proper nursing. We have constructed our lambing jugs using cattle panels and pallets, creating a design that works really well. Each jug measures roughly 10’x10’—large enough for the ewe to move around without stepping on her lambs but small enough to keep the lambs close. The cattle panels also provide a great place to clip water buckets up and off the ground, preventing lambs from accidentally dunking themselves. Our jugs are designed to be easily moved or taken down, secured with t-posts or 2×4 boards screwed into the barn walls. It’s important that lambing jugs are sturdy and safe for both the ewe and her lambs.
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Warm Water with Molasses for Ewes – A great energy and mineral boost post-labor.
Is It Time?
Recognizing the signs of impending labor can help you be prepared and ready to assist if needed. Here are key indicators that your ewe is close to lambing:
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Udder Changes – The udder will become pink, very full, and take on an almost waxy appearance.
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Teats Filling with Colostrum – This indicates the ewe is getting ready to nurse her lambs.
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Swollen Vulva – Often bright pink and sometimes with a slight discharge.
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Isolation from the Flock – A common sign that labor is approaching.
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Restlessness & Nesting – The ewe may paw at the ground, preparing a birthing spot.
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Frequent Standing & Lying Down – She may seem unsettled, repeatedly getting up and down.
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Stretching & Straining – Signs of early labor contractions.
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Stargazing – A posture where the ewe tilts her head back, often signaling contractions.
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Loss of Appetite – She may lose interest in food.
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Loss of Cervical Mucus Plug – This can be a sign that labor is imminent.
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Water Bag Presentation – When the water bag appears, lambing is actively beginning.
Final Thoughts
Lambing season is an incredible journey filled with joy, challenges, and deep learning experiences. By preparing your ewes, organizing your lambing kit, and setting up a clean and warm lambing area, you will be well-equipped to handle whatever comes your way. The key is to be prepared, stay observant, and embrace each experience as an opportunity to grow as a shepherdess.
One of the most valuable resources you can have is a mentor—someone who can support you as you walk through this lambing journey. Find a local or long-distance shepherd whose practices you respect and reach out to them for guidance. We don’t have to walk this journey alone; having someone to turn to can make all the difference in both confidence and success.
Happy lambing!
