The Rural Voice, 1987-03, Page 53ADVICE
CARING FOR SHEEP
IN LAMBING PERIOD
Profits in sheep enterprises are,
naturally, dependent on the number of
lambs produced annually by the ewes.
Proper preparations for lambing
season begin with the proper feeding
and care of the ewe during the six
weeks prior to lambing. Feeding grain
(45 to .70 kg — 1 to 1.5 lbs.) during
this period, depending on ewe condi-
tion, will promote the birth of strong
lambs and sufficient milk from the
ewe. If the age and condition of the
ewes in the flock vary, they should be
grouped separately and fed accordingly.
Providing enough pen space is also
important. Adequate exercise during
this period has proven beneficial in
reducing problems at lambing.
Your veterinarian should be con-
sulted regarding vaccinations that are
recommended prior to lambing. Often
clostridial and enterotoxemia vaccin-
ations are recommended.
A clean, disinfected, well -bedded
lambing pen will reduce the likelihood
of disease infection. A heat lamp or
hot -box may be used to provide
additional warmth for chilled lambs.
During lambing, the shepherd should
be available to provide assistance.
The shepherd should ensure that a
newborn lamb's nostrils are clean and
that it is breathing properly. The
umbilical cord should be dipped in an
iodine solution and the ewe checked to
be sure she has colostrum. The lambs
should be encouraged to drink as soon
as possible. The colostrum contains
valuable disease antibodies that can be
used only for a limited time after birth.
If fostering a lamb is required, it
should be done immediately after the
ewe has lambed. If you are fostering
to another ewe, the strongest lamb
should be transferred, because it will
have the greatest chance of survival.
Rubbing the adopted lamb with the
placenta of the ewe's own lamb will
help the ewe identify the new lamb as
her own.
The grain ration should be in-
troduced carefully after lambing. The
general rule is to increase the grain
ration to .45 kg (1 Ib.) for ewes
nursing a single lamb and .68 to .91
(1 1/2 to 2 lbs.) for ewes with twins.0
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JAI
MARCH 1987 51