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Lambing time in Douglas County is a great event! The birth of all our animals is heartwarming.
Most lambs in the county are born in January and February.
For the rancher it represents a successful production year. For casual observers it brings joy and smiles as they view the lambs dotting the landscape.
Some citizens are unaware of the economic importance of sheep in our area, but everyone here is affected in some way by the presence of these animals.
There are approximately 20,000 ewes (mother sheep) in the county. Each ewe should have at least one or two lambs per year. Some have three. Genetics and management (breeding, feeding and health practices) influence this number.
On the down side, predators take a heavy toll on animal survival. This is not only an economic hardship, but also a disheartening sight. Both of which can be quite depressing.
In 2007, the farm gate value of sales for sheep, lambs, and wool in Douglas County was about $2.4 million. Because production efficiency is important to economic success and environmental stewardship, the modern farmer is keen to continuing education. OSU Extension Service brings science-based information from the university to the local ranchers. Below is a list of practices for a good lambing outcome. Sheep producers can use it as a check list. Observers can use it to better understand what’s about to happen all around us. Good luck with lambing!
<b>Lambing Time Chores:</b>
• Be ready for first lambs 142 days after turning rams in with ewes.
• Watch ewes closely, concentrate your labor. The extra effort will be repaid with more lambs at weaning. Additional help might be money well spent.
• Provide birthing assistance when needed.
• Place ewes that lamb in jugs or lambing pens.
• Clip, Dip, Strip and Sip: Clip the navel to 1-1/2-inch length; Dip the navel in 7 percent tincture of iodine; Strip the teat of the ewe to remove the wax plug from teat canal; and see that lamb gets first Sip of colostrum.
• Check lambs and ewes in jugs several times each day to ensure ewes are claiming lambs and lambs are getting enough to eat.
• Remove ewes and lambs from jugs (after one to three days) and place in groups of four to eight ewes for further observation and then combine these groups into a workable size unit. Ewes with twins should be separated from those with singles.
• Begin to feed ewe at recommended levels for lactation about three days after lambing.
• Watch lambs for signs of pneumonia and scours.
• Give lambs Vitamin E - Selenium injection.
• Vaccinate lambs for soremouth at one to two weeks of age if it is a problem in your flock. Also vaccinate lambs for enterotoxemia if ewes were not vaccinated prior to lambing.
• Castrate and dock lambs as soon as they are up and off to a good start (two days to two weeks of age).
<i>Shelby Filley is the Regional Livestock and Forages Specialist for OSU Extension Service of Douglas County. She can be reached by e-mail at shelby.filley@oregonstate.edu or by phone at 541-672-4461.</i>
Most lambs in the county are born in January and February.
For the rancher it represents a successful production year. For casual observers it brings joy and smiles as they view the lambs dotting the landscape.
Some citizens are unaware of the economic importance of sheep in our area, but everyone here is affected in some way by the presence of these animals.
There are approximately 20,000 ewes (mother sheep) in the county. Each ewe should have at least one or two lambs per year. Some have three. Genetics and management (breeding, feeding and health practices) influence this number.
On the down side, predators take a heavy toll on animal survival. This is not only an economic hardship, but also a disheartening sight. Both of which can be quite depressing.
In 2007, the farm gate value of sales for sheep, lambs, and wool in Douglas County was about $2.4 million. Because production efficiency is important to economic success and environmental stewardship, the modern farmer is keen to continuing education. OSU Extension Service brings science-based information from the university to the local ranchers. Below is a list of practices for a good lambing outcome. Sheep producers can use it as a check list. Observers can use it to better understand what’s about to happen all around us. Good luck with lambing!
<b>Lambing Time Chores:</b>
• Be ready for first lambs 142 days after turning rams in with ewes.
• Watch ewes closely, concentrate your labor. The extra effort will be repaid with more lambs at weaning. Additional help might be money well spent.
• Provide birthing assistance when needed.
• Place ewes that lamb in jugs or lambing pens.
• Clip, Dip, Strip and Sip: Clip the navel to 1-1/2-inch length; Dip the navel in 7 percent tincture of iodine; Strip the teat of the ewe to remove the wax plug from teat canal; and see that lamb gets first Sip of colostrum.
• Check lambs and ewes in jugs several times each day to ensure ewes are claiming lambs and lambs are getting enough to eat.
• Remove ewes and lambs from jugs (after one to three days) and place in groups of four to eight ewes for further observation and then combine these groups into a workable size unit. Ewes with twins should be separated from those with singles.
• Begin to feed ewe at recommended levels for lactation about three days after lambing.
• Watch lambs for signs of pneumonia and scours.
• Give lambs Vitamin E - Selenium injection.
• Vaccinate lambs for soremouth at one to two weeks of age if it is a problem in your flock. Also vaccinate lambs for enterotoxemia if ewes were not vaccinated prior to lambing.
• Castrate and dock lambs as soon as they are up and off to a good start (two days to two weeks of age).
<i>Shelby Filley is the Regional Livestock and Forages Specialist for OSU Extension Service of Douglas County. She can be reached by e-mail at shelby.filley@oregonstate.edu or by phone at 541-672-4461.</i>
