Lambing Supplies

During lambing season we keep a few totes of lambing supplies in the lambing barn. This saves us several back and forth trips between the barn and the "mudroom". The following list will cover general lambing supplies. If you have any questions regarding vaccinations, treatments or procedures please consult your veterinarian.

Items we keep in the lambing barn—

Gloves—we keep both latex gloves and OB gloves on hand for when we are pulling lambs. We usually wear a latex glove over an OB glove for added dexterity.

SuperLube—an antiseptic lubricant used when pulling lambs or applying ear tags.

"O" Rings and Ring Expander—for docking and castrating. We dock and castrate within 3 days of birth.

(photo) "O" Rings and Ring Expander in use. Carl is pressing the lamb's belly in order to push the testicles into the scrotum. This ensures both testicles are removed during castration. 

Ear Tags and Premier Applicator—animal identification. This year we are using ear tags to denote the sire of the lambs.

Triodine and Navel Cup—Triodine dries navel cords to reduce the risk of infection through the navel.

Prolapse Harness—used to hold a vaginal prolapse in place long enough to get the ewe to her lambing date. Often used in conjunction with a Prolapse Retainer.

Sprayline—we write matching numbers on the ewe and lambs for identification. Also used to mark orphan lambs or lambs that need extra attention.

Clear or plastic Tube and Syringe—we tube newborn lambs with colostrum and unthrifty lambs with milk or colostrum.

Thermometer—used to check the temperature of the lamb.

Disposable Needles and Syringes—to provide various injections. Consult your veterinarian to determine your vaccination protocol.

Ear Notcher—we notch the right ear of all twin or triplet ewe lambs to mark them as potential replacement ewes.

Items we have on hand that don't fit into the totes—

Bucket Teat Units and Milk Replacer—for orphan lambs or to supplement small triplets. Will also need Rubber/Latex Nipples and Bucket(s).

Heat Lamp—we hang one of these over a creep feeder to provide light/warmth to encourage lambs into the creep area.

Orphan Head Gate—holds a ewe in place so a lamb is able to feed. Usually used when grafting lambs to ewes. (photo below)

(photo) Ewe in the Orphan Head Gate.

Creep Feeder Gate—a gate with a series of bars that let only lambs enter the creep area. (photo below)

(photo) A Creep Feeder Gate in use. Lambs have access to supplemental creep and milk replacer.