Lambing (when the ewes (aka mamas) are having their babies) is always a fun and exciting season, albeit exhausting too. My parents are involved in the day-to-day tasks as the sheep ranchers, I get to help on weekends and when there are bigger tasks to do, like when we wean, tag, and worm the lambs.
Today I want to talk about what happens in the first few hours and days of the lambs’ life.
There are visual signs from the ewe when she is nearing lambing (I will go into that in another post), we keep a close eye on the ewes and check on them several times a day. Sometimes if we catch them early in the birthing process we will put them in their own private pen, and sometimes they have their lamb(s) in the bigger shed or outdoors, and we later move them into a private pen. We really try not to hover over them while they are birthing as it makes them nervous, and can delay the process. Instead we let them do their thing for about 30 minutes, then check on them, give them another 30 and check on them again. At this point if no progress is made we catch them and perform a pelvic exam to ensure the lamb is coming normally. A normal birth in the livestock world is both front feet and head coming first. Any other version of that usually results in us intervening.
Also, depending on the age of the ewe and the size of the lamb she may need assistance having her lamb too. Unless there are complications we try to let her have the lamb on her own.
Once the lamb has been born, the ewe’s natural instinct is to get up and start licking the lamb off. This is a bonding process, but more importantly this dries the lamb, which is essential for survival if they are born outside in cold temperatures. At this point, if we see the birth we check to make sure that the nasal passages of the lamb(s) are clear and free of the amniotic sack or any any other blockages.
Almost immediately the lamb will try to start standing on wobbly legs to nurse. It is important that the lamb get the first milk (aka colostrum), which helps them get a good start on life. We watch closely to make sure they have figured out how to nurse. Sometimes they need a little help learning to latch on, and sometimes the ewe has so much milk that her teat is too big for the lamb to latch on, making it difficult for the lamb to nurse. Once the lamb gets older it has no problem keeping up with the ewe’s milk supply, but in the early days it can be challenging. Also in the first few hours we put iodine on the lamb’s navel, which helps decrease the chance of infection or illness. If the ewe is going to have another lamb, she will usually start birthing again shortly after licking the first one off. Sometimes however, she has a second one quickly and doesn’t have a chance to lick the first one off immediately. We hope that she comes back to clean both of them after the second one is born, if not we try to dry it off with an old towel.
As mentioned before, if the ewe and her lamb(s) are not already in a separate pen, they get moved to one. All pens have fresh straw, water for the ewe, and a heat lamp for the lamb. Also, when the ewe has finished lambing and taken care of her lambs (i.e. licked them off and let them nurse) we then provide her with hay, so can get her energy back up after the tough experience.
Depending on weather and how the lamb is doing, they will stay in this pen for about three days. Before they are turned out with the rest of the flock, the ewe receives her spring vaccinations and a paint number is put on her back that matches the number on the lamb’s eartag. The lamb will be weighed, given a unique eartag (that matches the ewe’s back number and her eartag number), and an elastrator is put on the tail. An elastrator looks like a green rubber cheerio. Essentially it cuts off the blood supply to the tail (or if applicable, the testicles – but that elastrator doesn’t go on until they get a little bit older).
At this point the ewe and her lamb are ready to join the rest of the flock. It doesn’t take long before the lambs are running and playing with other lambs and then eating hay out of the lamb feeders. At our ranch, the ewes and lambs are locked up at night to help keep them safe from predators (i.e. coyotes). We are careful to make sure these new little babies are in this space every night, as they start to learn the routine.
What didn’t I cover that you want to know more about?
Dr. Lindsay can also be found on:
– Twitter/Instagram (agwithdrlindsay)
– Facebook
– Pinterest
Agricultural with Dr. Lindsay 
Awesome information we have ewe lambing presently very helpful info
Thanks Paddy. Good luck with your ewe.
We are just starting in the sheep buseness. We are having a problem with in the case of twins. The second lamb either being born dead or dieing shortly after birth. We are not always able to be there. When we are we can save the second lamb. Just had one yesterday that had 4. 3 of them were dead.
Hi Johnny, sorry to hear this. Sometimes this happens with young ewes who are inexperienced. They get overwhelmed and only take care of the first one. If that is not the case, ensure that your ewes have appropriate salt and mineral supplements. This will help the lambs be as strong as possible when they are born, thus giving them a better chance at survival. Also, it may be advantageous to look for a ram that throws single lambs instead of multiples. Good luck!!
Wow. This city girl is learning truckloads. Why do you keep the tail short. And does it hurt the lamb?
You don’t have to dock the tails, but we do because it is cleaner and more sanitary. Additionally, it can help the ewes breed easier. Also, since a portion of these lambs are sold to 4-H kids it is aesthetically more pleasing to not have a tail. As far as pain, we try to dock the tails when they are just a couple days old. We use an elastrator which looks like a green rubber Cheerio, it works to cut off the blood supply, slowly “killing” the tail. When the elastrator is first put on it does hurt them, but they are soon back to their normal selves. Great questions!
How long does it usually take the eww to clean the lamb? How long should you leave the lamb before cleaning and drying it yourself?
She should start cleaning the lamb(s) immediately. If she doesn’t do it within 5-10 minutes after birth I would help her. Sometimes if they are yearlings they might not know what to do, so you can get some of the fluids that are on the lamb and rub them over her nose/mouth. Then as she licks her lips off she gets a taste for it and instincts may kick in.
We are new to homesteading. Our first lamb was born on the 14th July. Another in the 16th July. My observation is the 2nd one seems weaker than the first. My husband has voiced the same concerns as I have. She does stand and walk around but much less than the other did at one day old. What should we be expecting of a one day old lamb. Thanks.
Hi there, each lamb will be different, as each baby is different. If it is hot, if the ewe labored long and hard, if there were multiples, if the ewe is a first time mother are all things that can potentially affect the lamb. The most important thing is that the ewe gets up and licks the lamb(s) off, that the lambs get up and nurse as soon as possible. Them getting that first milk (colostrum) is the absolute most important thing. If you are not sure that has happened you will need to help the lamb figure out where the teat is and make sure it knows how to nurse. You may need to milk the ewe and give the lamb a bottle in that first day or two. After a couple of days they get stronger and figure things out pretty quick. After the ewe has cleaned the lambs off give her some water and hay, she will be ready for a drink and some food. Another good practice is to put iodine on the naval of the lamb a day or so after it is born. This will help prevent any possible infections. Good luck!
Thanks for that. We herded them to another paddock where we have a closed in shed with hay water etc. We didn’t want a fox to come and take advantage of a weak lamb. She’s doing great, now 🙂
How long after lambing does it take for the lamb to stand?
The lamb should be up and nursing within at least an hour. Sometimes you may need to help them get up and find their way to the teat for nursing.
Thanks!
does the ewe’s uterus ever need attention after birthing? is some small amount of blood present after birth “normal”. amount might be a tablespoon or two. how should her uterus look, post-birth?
If she has expelled her afterbirth then she should be ok. It may take a week or two for her to stop having a bloody discharge. If she should start looking droopy or not herself or if she has an odor then contact your vet ASAP, as she may have an infection.