When lambing time draws near, it is time to get a lambing kit in order. Let's cover the basic lambing kit and then look at what extras you could have on hand. The items marked with **, are not for a basic kit, but you might want to add these over time.
Supplies
The following table lists supplies you should have on hand for lambing.
Lambing supplies
|
|
Rubber gloves, protective sleeves or latex gloves | For assisting with difficult births and handling newborns |
OB lubrication | For assisting with difficult births (J-lube, or other) |
Nylon rope, snare, or leg puller | For assisting with difficult births |
Disinfectant | For assisting with difficult births |
Bearing retainor, ewe spoon, or prolapse harness ** |
For holding vaginal prolapse in |
Heat lamp or warming box |
For warming chilled lambs |
Arnica montana and Rescue Remedy homeopathics |
To give to ewes whose births you assist |
Needles and syringes ** |
For giving shots |
Thermometer | For diagnosing problems |
Gentle iodine, Triodine |
For dipping navel cords |
Esophageal feeding tube |
For feeding lambs |
Frozen colostrum ** |
For feeding lambs |
Colostrum supplement ** |
To supplement colostrum |
Lamb milk replacer | For feeding orphan lambs |
Lamb nipples (teats) and bottle |
For hand feeding orphan lambs |
For treating pregnancy toxemia | |
For treating milk fever | |
For weak lambs | |
Oral dosing syringe ** |
For giving oral medications |
OB S-curved needle ** |
For sutering |
Ear tags and an applicator | For identifying lambs |
Hanging scale | For weighing feed and lambs |
Weigh sling | To weigh newborn lambs |
Pocket record keeping book | For recording lambing data |
Books: These are some of my favorites.
Natural Sheep Care - Pat Coleby
Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep - Paula Simmons and Carol Ekarius
Managing Your Ewe - Laura Lawson
The Sheep Book - Ron Parker
Living with Sheep - Chuck Wooster
The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable - Juliette de Bairacli Levy
Lamb Problems - Laura Lawson