There are probably as many different lambing systems as there are shepherds. Some lamb on pasture, some put laboring ewes in pens, and some shepherds choose to put their bred ewes in group pens to labor and deliver. Each farm must evaluate their own situation and what works best for them to give them the optimal outcome. Shepherds need to evaluate their facilities, weather during lambing season, number of bred ewes, feeding situation, and lambing problems they have had in the past, in order to come up with a management system best suited to their flock.
The Perfect Lambing System
When choosing the perfect lambing system for your flock, there are a few factors to keep in mind:
- Space – Laboring ewes need space to move around and a place free of distractions. Often, the first sign of a laboring ewe is that she has isolated herself from the rest of the flock. She wants to be alone, and to have a space away from the flock to labor. Laboring ewes are just like laboring women, they need room to move, to pace, to lay down and get back up, to eat and to drink. Confining laboring ewes, just as in confining laboring women, can actually slow their labor.
- Bonding – Ewes and their lambs need time to bond and a place conducive to bonding. Sometimes, new moms take longer to bond with their new lambs. Creating an environment which encourages bonding can be helpful.
- Warm – New lambs need to be in an area free of drafts. If lambs are nursing well, they can withstand cold temperatures, but the wind causes more of a challenge.
- Dry & Well Ventilated – New lambs need to be in an area free of drafts, yet well ventilated and in a place where they have dry bedding. Both of these factors help to prevent pneumonia in young lambs.
- Nourishment – New lambs need to easily find mom in the middle of the night for nursing. Lactating moms need to be in a place where they do not have to compete for food.
- Safety – Lambs and moms need to be safe from predators and stress.
It is possible to provide all of these needs within a wide range of management systems. Each farm must evaluate how they can best meet these requirements within their given situation. There are several popular models of lambing.
Different Lambing Management Models
- Lambing Pens –
Lambing pens may be used in a couple of different ways. The most common practice allows the ewe to labor and deliver in her place of choosing, and to then move her into a pen or lambing jug with her new lambs. This allows the ewe freedom of movement during labor and delivery where she has adequate space to move freely. Once she lambs, she is then moved into a smaller pen, approximately 4 feet x 6 feet in size. She and her lambs are kept in the lambing jug for 12-36 hours. On large farms, ewes may be moved into a lambing pen or drop pen, as soon as signs of labor begin. - Pasture Lambing –
Pasture lambing usually happens in warm weather or when there is no snow on the ground. In this model, ewes are allowed to labor and deliver on pasture. Ewes can easily separate themselves from the flock and move freely. A study done by Cornell University conducted in 2009, showed that pasture lambing lead to fewer cases of dystocia or mothering issues, as well as lower feed costs. The study also revealed that labor and delivery times were significantly lower than in shed lambing. Amanda of Prado de Lana Farm in NH, feels that the years they have lambed on pasture, the lambs did not struggle as much with parasites. She feels this is due to the fact that they were nursing for much of the summer months. - Group Pen Lambing –
In this model, all laboring ewes are put in a large pen in a barn together a couple of weeks prior to their due dates. Here, they labor, deliver, and raise their young together. Ewes should be given adequate space in this model. In this system, the ewes are not confined to a small area to labor. They can move freely about yet do not have the entire flock to maneuver around. Sometimes, shepherds will move the ewe and her newly born lambs into a lambing jug where they will stay for 24 or 48 hours after birth. This allows for bonding and ensures the shepherd many opportunities to observe for any potential problems with the lamb or ewe.
On our farm, our weather, winter paddock, and barn set up all dictate how I handle my lambing management system. We lamb in the very early spring when we still have snow on the ground. Snow storms are not uncommon nor are frigid temperatures that time of year. When a ewe shows signs of being in labor, I allow her to labor and deliver where she wants to. I do not confine her in anyway. Once the lambs are born, I give the ewe time to clean her lambs and for the lambs to nurse for the first time. Once the lambs have nursed, I will lead the ewe and her lambs into a lambing jug. I will keep the ewe and her lambs there anywhere from 12 hours to 48 hours. I like keeping the mom in a small area with her new lambs as it gives me time to observe and be sure that the lamb is getting nourishment and is healthy. I can also better control the conditions under which they are sleeping at night. I can be sure that the new lambs are warm and out of drafty wet conditions. I also feel it encourages bonding between the mom and lamb to have them together for a period of time after birth. Once I feel that the lamb and ewe are healthy and doing well, I turn them out with the rest of the flock.
There really is no right or wrong way to approach lambing as long as you keep in mind the points above in terms of space, and the need for warmth, ventilation, and safety for the new lambs. Of the three lambing techniques above, I am tempted to try moving our lambing dates to early summer in order to try lambing on pasture. I like the idea of giving the ewe full freedom during labor and delivery. I also wonder if lambing in warmer weather would encourage better lamb growth since they would not expend any energy on staying warm. Perhaps next year….
Want more information on the stages of a laboring ewe?
Recognizing the Different Stages of a Laboring Ewe
