Getting Ready for Lambing

We are busy here at Stark Hollow Farm in Vermont getting ready for the 2012 lambing season, which officially starts this week with Vanessa on vigil, checking on expectant ewes every few hours. It is an exciting time, but one that requires preparation and vigilance. Each ewe's date of servicing has been carefully tracked so that we know within a day or two when she will deliver. Our goal is to be present for each birth and assist if necessary.

One side of the new modular lambing facility is completed, filled with straw and ready to go. There will be several lambing "jugs", small pens for mama to lamb out and then tend to her newborns undisturbed. This allows the mama ewe to properly bond with her new lambs, particularly important for first time mothers and especially with so many ewes ready to deliver. A ewe may "steal" another mother's lamb if she is so close to lambing that her hormones confuse her. When this happens, her actual lambs struggle to compete for milk and may miss out on the all important colostrum. Definitely a situation to be avoided if possible.





Vanessa has put together a detailed and well stocked lambing "kit". The lambing kit is important for quick and efficient birthing assistance and to provide all the proper care for the new born lambs. It contains such items as soft clean rags, lubricant, iodine with navel cup for sterilizing umbilical cords, stomach tube in case intubation is necessary, lambing ropes, milk bottles and nipples, and various other items that might be needed to manage the birthing process.



The first few ewes to lamb will be relieved of some of their colostrum and milk to save for lambs who have difficulty. The colostrum contains the very important vitamins, nutrients and antibodies necessary for the lamb's health and survival. Proper preparation, vigilance and a shepherd's can greatly reduced mortality among new born lambs and reduce the risk of complications in both the lamb and the mother during the days following.

Soon, hopefully, we'll be watching 35 or so of these little guys frolicking in the paddock just waiting to get out on the summer pastures!