Most ewes lamb without help, but when things go wrong, every minute counts. That is why experienced sheep keepers have everything ready before the first lamb arrives. This collection contains the equipment for lambing time: help for the ewe at birth, colostrum and bottle feeding for the lamb, warmth and first care. Below you will find a checklist and the sections to explore further.
Lambing kit checklist
- Hygiene: orange disposable veterinary gloves and a generous supply of Excellent lubricant, in packs from 500 ml to 20 litres.
- Birth aids: a nylon lambing cord and a plastic lambing aid.
- After the birth: navel clamps, a lamb stomach tube and a resuscitation pump (lamb reviver) for a lamb that is slow to get going.
- Feeding: a colostrum meter, feeding bottles, spare teats and lamb milk.
- Warmth: a lamp shade with cable and a heat lamp in red or white.
For those with more ewes, there is a KRUUSE lambing coat in sizes XS and S, and a prolapse harness with strap as an aid for a ewe with a prolapse; use it in consultation with your vet.
The ewe around lambing
A pregnant ewe needs a lot of energy in the last weeks. For this, Excellent supplies products including Citonol, the Sheep Calcium Bolus Gold, the Ener Bolus and lick blocks such as Toplik and Goldlik. Read the labels and agree on their use with your vet or feed adviser, especially if a ewe is eating poorly or dull.
When should you call the vet?
If there is no progress after a while of straining, a lamb is badly presented and you cannot gently correct it, or the ewe is exhausted, call. A lambing cord and lubricant are meant to help a normal birth, not to force a difficult delivery.
More in this section
For feeding the lamb, go to lamb milk and colostrum and feeding bottles and teats; warmth, navel care and stomach tubes are in lamb care. Everything for bottle feeding in one place is in lambing season. Back to everything for your sheep, or look ahead to marking for the next tupping season.
Frequently asked questions
What should a lambing kit contain at the very least?
Gloves, lubricant, a lambing cord, navel clamps, a feeding bottle with teat, and colostrum or a colostrum supplement. In cold weather, a heat lamp is essential.
What is a lamb reviver for?
It is a resuscitation pump that you use to clear mucus and help a lamb get going if it is not breathing properly after birth.
When should I get help during lambing?
If there is no progress after a while of straining, a lamb is badly presented or the ewe becomes exhausted. Then call your vet.