14 FARMERS' BULLETIN 840. 



THE LAMBING SEASON. 



IMPORTANCE OF CARE DURING LAMBING. 



The lambing season is the shepherd's harvest time, and the size 

 and quality of the crop practically determine the profits. A large 

 crop of good lambs is the base of good financial returns, while a small 

 crop of lambs means less profit, and if they are inferior in quality 

 great skill and care are necessary to make any profit. At this time 

 extra attention must be given to the ewes and lambs. In no other 

 way can time be used to better advantage on the farm. If a record 

 of the date of service has been kept, the approximate date of lamb- 

 ing can readily be foretold, for the ewes will generally carry their 

 young about 145 days (five days less than five months). 



CARE OF THE EWES. 



Heavy grain feeding just before lambing is likely to cause udder 

 troubles. At this time the wool around the udder should be clipped 

 short to allow the lamb to find the teats readily. Just before lamb- 

 ing the ewe becomes restless and appears sunken in front of the 

 hips. She should be put into a separate pen, which may be made 

 of two light panels fastened together by a hinge and set in a corner. 1 



These panels permit the ewe to see the other members of the flock 

 and prevent her from becoming excited or nervous. Their use also 

 prevents other sheep from trampling on the lamb, and the ewe has 

 a good chance to get acquainted with her lamb at the start, thus 

 avoiding the danger of disowned lambs later. These lambing pens 

 should be in a well-ventilated room that is free from drafts and 

 as warm as it can be made without artificial heat. In very cold 

 weather a blanket thrown over the lambing pen will insure sufficient 

 warmth to give the lamb a good chance in the first few hours, which 

 are important ones. 



TROUBLES AT PARTURITION. 



Well-fed ewes seldom have much trouble in lambing, but there 

 may always be need of assistance- for a few ewes. If the ewe 

 strains for half an hour without delivering the lamb, aid may then 

 be given. The normal position of the lamb at birth is to have the 

 forelegs extended with the head lying between them. If the lamb 

 is not in the proper position, the shepherd should correct it by 

 inserting the hand and arm into the vulva and effecting the change. 

 When such assistance is needed the shepherd should first trim his 

 finger nails and rub vaseline or oil upon his hand. In either case, 

 when the position is correct the lamb can usually be successfully 



1 These panels are described in Farmers' Bulletin 810. 



