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L A M B I N G A R T I C L E
Many farms rely on extra help when lambing
is in full swing. Vet and agriculture students
are often available; your local XLVets practice
will be able to put you in touch with the vet
schools to arrange for an extra pair of hands.
With five percent of ewes in UK flocks dying
around lambing time; three quarters of these
because of lambing difficulties, it is worth
taking the time to make sure that any helpers
who aren't experienced shepherds know
when to call for help.
Plans should also be made to treat sheep
suffering from the problems most flocks suffer
at lambing time like prolapses, twin lamb
disease, hypocalcaemia and mastitis.
In large flocks written protocols will help
all staff to know what treatment should
be given.
Finally a check round the lambing shed and
medicine cupboard will help make sure that
everything needed is to hand.
3
Arm length disposable gloves
3
Lubricant
3
A head rope or lambing snare
3
Disinfectant solution
3
Calcium injection
3
Energy supplement like propylene
glycol to treat twin lamb disease
3
Syringes and needles
3
Antibiotic injections for treating
mastitis and metritis
3
Anti-inflammatory injection for use
after lambing
3
Prolapse retainers
3
Strong iodine (10% tincture of iodine)
for dipping navels
3
Colostrum (ideally frozen sheep
colostrum, if not goat or cow or
powdered colostrum substitute)
3
Thermometer
3
Stomach tubes
3
A warming box
3
Glucose for intraperitoneal injection
of hypothermic lambs
3
Oral antibiotics for watery mouth
treatment
LAMBING
CHECKLIST
WINTER 2010 ISSUE
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
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