7 things you need to know this lambing season

With lambing being well into season and family events everywhere over the holidays I love this guest post below which just tells us a little more about this time of year!

The sight of lambs leaping through the fields is surely one of the biggest signs that spring has arrived. While a beautiful time of the year.

It’s a period where it’s crucial that farm supplies are fully stocked, schedules are carefully planned and sheep farmers are fully prepared for what lies ahead for them.

Here’s everything you need to know about lambing season:

Why does lambing season occur during spring?

Mother Nature is to thank for mating routines ensuring that lambs are born in the spring when the weather is mild and the grass is plentiful. The season offers new born lambs the best chance to survive and thrive.

Also, ewes are also called ‘seasonally polyestrus’ because their reproductive cycle is controlled by the photoperiod (season) and they come into heat (estrus) every 17 days but only during their fertile period. Photoperiod is the relationship between light and dark in a 24-hour period. In fact, it is possible to manipulate the photoperiod and "fool" ewes into thinking it’s autumn and time to breed.

What additional care does a ewe need during gestation?

Like humans, during pregnancy a ewe will need extra food whilst carrying her lambs. Extra nutrition will be required in the last month as the lambs grow rapidly and her mammary (udder) tissue is developing.

It’s also recommended that ewes are vaccinated during late pregnancy for the clostridial diseases that commonly affect sheep and lambs. Clostridial diseases are caused by gram positive bacteria that are commonly present in the environment. A vaccination will mean the pregnant ewe’s lambs will acquire temporary, passive immunity when they drink the colostrum, the first milk produced by the ewe post birth.

What counts as a normal pregnancy and delivery?

A ewe will be pregnant for up to 152 days (around five months).

The normal presentation of a new-born lamb during the birth is the nose and two front legs, one lamb at a time. A backwards delivery (hooves pointed down) is also normal too but you’d most likely need to provide assistance if you see this occur. Generally speaking, most ewes give birth to their lambs without the need of any help from farm staff, instead  just being on standby with basic farm supplies and a medical kit is usually sufficient.

 

What can be involved during a difficult birth?

There are several occurrences which can make a birth difficult. A breech birth, where only the rear or tail of the lamb is presented for delivery, means that the ewe will almost certainly not be able to deliver without assistance.

Ringwomb is a genetic condition that sees the ewe’s cervix fail to dilate and therefore make it impossible for the lambs to be delivered. The best solution for a case like this, to ensure you don’t lose the ewe or her litter, is to remove the lambs though a caesarean section.

How many lambs can I expect?

While first time mothers, especially yearlings, are most likely to have just one lamb during their birth, most ewes usually give birth to 1 to 3 lambs with each birthing event. In a well-managed flock, twin births are very common. Ewes produce their biggest litters between the ages of 3 and 6.

What weights and measurements can I expect from the newborn lambs?

The weight etc of each newborn obviously differs with each breed, sex and the nutrition of the ewe. Typically speaking, lambs from medium to small breeds are a similar size to human babies – between 5 to 12 pounds.

What happens post birth?

Most newborn lambs can stand within about half an hour of being born. Their natural instinct will see them want to look for milk so they will slowly get up, encouraged by the ewe. The first meal will usually be consumed in the first hour of being alive.

The mother ewe will clean and lick the newborn as part of a bonding process but also to help dry the lamb.