LAMBING TIPS

(1) Lambing ewes:

Cleanliness as far as possible. Be gentle!

Lubrication - Arnolds Lubrel best or J lube.

Repel stuck lambs back into uterus to correct problems.

Take care to check which legs belong to which lamb even if only 2 legs & 1 head presented.

Coloured lambing ropes useful.

Think about the mechanics and which way the legs bend to correct problems. Cover the foot with hand or finger to protect the uterus

Using a hand over back of head, or a head rope makes life much simpler

With muddle of twins, often lamb furthest in is easiest to remove first, as more room to stretch out.

Afterwards, check for more lambs & damage to ewe.

(2) After care of ewe:

Long acting antibiotic

Painkiller e.g. finadyne injection

Warm water & feed

(3) Lamb revival:

Clear mouth & nose

Swing

Cold water - dunk in trough or pour over head & chest.

Acupuncture – needle point on nose, midline between nostrils

Tickle larynx / tube into windpipe using stomach tube, allows effective resuscitation (but
needs practice to do)

Bicarb solution if head not up in 10 minutes

(4) Lamb Problems:

See memory jogger sheet.

Refresh technique of stomach tubing & intraperiotenal injection

Bubble wrap – makes brilliant coat for weak lambs

Cubisan – disinfectant powder made by Deosan. Works really well to reduce joint ill & watery mouth. Remove any cleansing etc, sprinkle on lambing pen then fresh straw on top.

Check colostrum supply especially if lamb problems developing. Freeze in ice cube trays or on thin baking trays, break up & store in bags in freezer. Defrost in jug in bowl of hot water. If very thick dilute with little water so it flows down tube better.

(5) Milking ewes:

Plenty of lubication eg hand cream

Use 2 jugs, transfer milk/colostrum as collected into 2nd jug in safe place!

Cheat! – use a human breast pump, works really well, esp ewes with small fiddly teats!

(5) Ewe problems:

Prolapses: vaginal: harness, spoon, suture (tape) ? transport – not permitted but better to bring home to treat than attempt on hill.

Lamb bed :

Immediate; follows lambs out at lambing. Return & suture as for vaginal.

Delayed; not seen or happens later. Keep moist & warm, needs vet attention. DO NOT transport anywhere. If cold or damaged - shoot
Plus guts: shoot asap

Metabolic: see sheet

NB also listeria

Mastitis: See Memory Jogger (Click here).

(6) Zoonosis:

Toxoplasma & Enzootic abortion

Remind all workers annually re risk to pregnant women & immunsupressed people.
NB clothes, overall, hair etc & weak lambs are all potential sources to carry infection home.

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