From Conception to Healthy Lambs

"Pregnancy and Lambing Management That Ensures Success"

The text came at 11:47 PM on a cold March night: "Need help NOW. Ewe down, can't get up, something's wrong." I threw on clothes and drove the fifteen minutes to Jake's farm, finding him pacing anxiously outside his barn with a flashlight.

Inside, we found a pregnant ewe flat on her side, eyes rolled back, breathing labored. Classic pregnancy toxemia—ketosis brought on by inadequate nutrition during late pregnancy combined with the stress of carrying triplets. Jake had meant well, keeping his bred ewes on "maintenance rations" to prevent them from getting "too fat." Instead, he'd starved them during the most critical nutritional period of their lives.

We tubed glucose solution and called the vet, but it was too late. By morning, Jake had lost not just one ewe but the three lambs she was carrying—four animals that represented nearly $800 in lost production, all because he didn't understand how pregnancy nutrition works.

That expensive lesson taught Jake what every successful sheep producer learns: pregnancy and lambing aren't natural processes you can ignore. They're critical phases that require understanding, preparation, and active management. Get it right, and you'll enjoy the miracle of healthy lambs hitting the ground and productive ewes ready to breed again. Get it wrong, and you'll face heartbreak, financial losses, and frustrated attempts to understand where things went sideways.

Understanding Pregnancy Physiology

Sheep pregnancy is a remarkable 147-152 day journey from conception to birth, but those five months aren't uniform in their demands or challenges. Understanding what happens when allows you to provide the right support at the right time.

The Critical Periods

Days 0-30 (Early Pregnancy): Embryo implantation and early development are vulnerable to nutritional stress, disease, and environmental factors. Embryo loss during this period often goes unnoticed but significantly impacts lambing percentages.

Days 30-100 (Mid-Pregnancy): Relatively stable period with moderate nutritional demands. Fetal organ development occurs, but growth is slow. This is often the most economical feeding period of pregnancy.

Days 100-147 (Late Pregnancy): Rapid fetal growth period when 70% of birth weight is gained. Nutritional demands skyrocket, particularly with multiple fetuses. Most pregnancy complications occur during this phase.

Physiological Changes

Understanding how pregnancy changes ewe physiology helps you recognize normal versus abnormal conditions and provide appropriate management.

Metabolic Adaptations: Pregnant ewes become more efficient at using dietary energy and mobilizing body reserves. However, this efficiency has limits, particularly in late pregnancy with multiple fetuses.

Digestive Changes: Growing fetuses reduce rumen capacity, limiting dry matter intake just when nutritional demands peak. This creates the fundamental challenge of late pregnancy nutrition.

Circulatory Adaptations: Blood volume increases to support fetal circulation, while the heart works harder to pump blood through the enlarged uterus. These changes affect the ewe's exercise tolerance and heat regulation.

Multiple Pregnancy Considerations

Katahdin ewes frequently carry twins or triplets, creating unique management challenges that single pregnancies don't present.

Nutritional Demands: Twin pregnancies require about 15% more energy than singles; triplets need 25-30% more. These increased demands often exceed what pasture alone can provide, particularly in late pregnancy.

Space Constraints: Multiple fetuses create more severe reductions in rumen capacity, making it even harder for ewes to consume adequate nutrition from bulky feeds.

Lambing Complications: While Katahdins generally have easy births, multiple births increase the risk of malpresentations, prolonged labor, and postpartum complications.

Pregnancy Nutrition: Feeding for Two, Three, or Four

Pregnancy nutrition represents the most critical feeding period in a sheep's production cycle. The nutrition program during these 147 days determines birth weights, lamb vigor, ewe condition at lambing, and subsequent reproductive performance.

Early Pregnancy Feeding (Days 0-100)

Despite minimal fetal growth during early pregnancy, nutrition during this period impacts embryo survival and sets the stage for successful late pregnancy.

Maintenance Plus Approach: Provide nutrition slightly above maintenance requirements—typically 10-15% more energy than dry ewe needs. Avoid both underfeeding and overfeeding, as either can reduce embryo survival.

Body Condition Stability: Maintain body condition rather than trying to change it dramatically. Pregnant ewes should maintain condition score 3.0-3.5 throughout early pregnancy.

Stress Minimization: Nutritional stress during early pregnancy increases embryo loss. Ensure consistent feed availability and avoid sudden diet changes that might disrupt rumen function.

Late Pregnancy Feeding (Days 100-147)

This period makes or breaks pregnancy nutrition programs. Fetal growth accelerates dramatically, maternal nutrient demands soar, and rumen capacity shrinks—creating a perfect storm that requires careful management.

Energy Requirements: Energy needs increase 50-75% above maintenance, with higher increases for multiple pregnancies. This dramatic increase often surprises producers accustomed to feeding dry ewes.

Protein Needs: Protein requirements increase 40-50% above maintenance to support fetal tissue growth and prepare for lactation. Quality becomes as important as quantity during this period.

Feed Intake Challenges: Even as nutritional needs peak, physical intake capacity declines due to fetal pressure on the rumen. This creates the fundamental challenge of late pregnancy feeding.

Dr. Burke's research provides clear evidence of these principles in practice. Her studies noted that concentrate feeding becomes essential for multiple-bearing ewes: "a ewe that is nursing triplets cannot usually consume enough dry or wet forage to meet her nutritional requirements for lactation. Concentrate feeding is usually necessary."¹ This principle applies even more strongly during late pregnancy.

Practical Feeding Strategies

Meeting late pregnancy nutritional requirements requires strategic feeding programs that maximize nutrient density while maintaining rumen health.

Concentrate Supplementation: Most pregnant ewes benefit from grain supplementation during the last 6-8 weeks of pregnancy. Start with 0.5 pounds daily and gradually increase to 1.0-1.5 pounds for multiple pregnancies.

High-Quality Forages: Use your best hay for pregnant ewes. Legume hays or high-quality grass hays provide more nutrients in smaller volumes, helping overcome intake limitations.

Frequent Feeding: Feeding smaller amounts more frequently can increase total intake. Consider twice-daily feeding rather than once daily for late pregnancy ewes.

Nutrient-Dense Supplements: Supplements high in energy and protein help meet requirements without excessive bulk. Beet pulp, wheat middlings, and soybean meal work well for this purpose.

Pregnancy Health Management

Healthy pregnancies require more than good nutrition. Disease prevention, stress management, and environmental modifications all contribute to successful outcomes.

Vaccination Programs

Pre-lambing vaccinations protect both ewes and newborn lambs through colostral antibody transfer.

Timing Considerations: Administer vaccinations 2-4 weeks before expected lambing dates. This timing maximizes colostral antibody levels while ensuring adequate immune response.

Core Vaccinations: CDT (Clostridium C, D, and tetanus) vaccination is essential for all pregnant ewes. Consider additional vaccinations based on local disease risks and veterinary recommendations.

Booster Requirements: Previously vaccinated ewes need annual boosters. Newly introduced animals may require initial vaccination series—plan this well before breeding season.

Parasite Management

Pregnancy stress compromises immune function, making pregnant ewes more susceptible to parasite problems. However, treatment options become limited due to drug withdrawal requirements.

Pre-Breeding Control: Establish excellent parasite control before breeding season. This reduces parasite pressure throughout pregnancy when treatment options are limited.

Monitoring Programs: Use FAMACHA© scoring and fecal egg counts to monitor parasite loads during pregnancy. These methods identify problems early when intervention is still possible.

Safe Treatment Options: Some anthelmintics are approved for use during pregnancy, but always consult veterinary guidance and observe withdrawal periods if animals might be marketed.

Metabolic Disease Prevention

Pregnancy toxemia (ketosis) represents the most common and dangerous metabolic disorder of late pregnancy. Prevention is much more effective than treatment.

Risk Factors: Multiple pregnancies, poor body condition, inadequate nutrition, stress, and concurrent diseases all increase toxemia risk. Identify high-risk ewes for special attention.

Early Recognition: Watch for decreased appetite, depression, stumbling gait, and sweet-smelling breath (ketones). Early intervention improves treatment success significantly.

Prevention Strategies: Adequate energy intake during late pregnancy is the best prevention. Minimize stress, provide consistent feed, and monitor body condition closely.

Preparing for Lambing Season

Successful lambing seasons start with thorough preparation weeks before the first lamb arrives. This preparation phase determines how smoothly lambing proceeds and how well you handle inevitable challenges.

Facility Preparation

Lambing facilities should balance ewe comfort with management convenience, providing a clean, safe environment for birth while allowing easy observation and intervention.

Cleaning and Disinfection: Clean and disinfect lambing areas thoroughly before use. Remove old bedding, scrub surfaces, and apply appropriate disinfectants. Allow facilities to dry completely before adding fresh bedding.

Bedding Selection: Use clean, dry bedding that provides insulation and absorbency. Straw works excellently for lambing—it's warm, absorbent, and easy to manage. Avoid dusty or moldy bedding that might cause respiratory problems.

Pen Configuration: Design individual lambing pens 5x5 feet minimum for adequate ewe and lamb movement. Smaller pens stress ewes and may contribute to mismothering problems.

Environmental Control: Provide adequate ventilation without drafts. Newborn lambs are sensitive to drafts but need fresh air. Plan heating systems for extremely cold conditions, but avoid overheating that might cause respiratory problems.

Equipment and Supply Preparation

Having the right tools readily available prevents emergencies from becoming disasters. Organize supplies before lambing season begins—not when you're dealing with a difficult birth at 2 AM.

Obstetrical Kit: Include obstetrical lubricant, disposable gloves, disinfectant, flashlight, towels, and basic instruments for assisted deliveries. Store in a clean, accessible container.

Newborn Care Supplies: Stock iodine for navel dipping, ear tags, record sheets, and a scale for birth weights. Include lamb milk replacer and feeding bottles for emergency situations.

Medications: Maintain supplies of injectable vitamins, antibiotics approved for sheep, and pain relievers. Establish relationships with veterinarians before emergencies arise.

Record Keeping Preparation

Accurate records start from birth and provide valuable information for management decisions and genetic selection.

Recording Systems: Develop simple, efficient systems for recording birth information. Include ewe identification, birth date, lamb gender and weight, assistance required, and any complications.

Identification Supplies: Prepare ear tags, tattoo equipment, or other identification methods. Plan identification systems that provide permanent, readable animal identification.

Performance Tracking: Design record systems that support performance evaluation and genetic selection. Include space for growth weights, health treatments, and other relevant information.

The Lambing Process: Normal and Abnormal Presentations

Understanding normal lambing progression helps you recognize when intervention is needed and provides confidence to assist when necessary.

Stages of Normal Labor

Stage 1 (Preparation): Lasts 2-12 hours as the cervix dilates and the lamb positions for delivery. Ewes show restlessness, pawing, looking at flanks, and seeking isolation. The water bag may appear and break.

Stage 2 (Delivery): Active labor typically lasts 30-60 minutes from the start of abdominal contractions. Normal presentation shows front feet first with the head between them, nose pointing down.

Stage 3 (Afterbirth): The placenta should be expelled within 2-6 hours after delivery. Retained placentas can cause serious complications and require veterinary attention.

When to Intervene

Knowing when to help versus when to wait separates successful lamb managers from those who create problems through premature intervention.

Time Guidelines: If active pushing continues more than 60-90 minutes without progress, examination is warranted. If a lamb is partially visible but not advancing after 30 minutes of strong contractions, intervention is needed.

Progress Assessment: Each contraction should advance the lamb's position. If several contractions pass without visible progress, something is wrong and assistance is needed.

Presentation Problems: Any presentation other than front feet and head first requires evaluation and possible intervention. Breech presentations, leg back situations, or head back problems need correction.

Assisting with Difficult Births

When intervention becomes necessary, proper technique prevents injury to both ewe and lamb while maximizing chances of successful delivery.

Preparation: Wash hands and arms thoroughly, use plenty of obstetrical lubricant, and work gently. Rough handling causes injury and swelling that makes delivery more difficult.

Examination Technique: Enter the birth canal gently with cupped fingers, following natural curves. Identify lamb parts and their positions before attempting corrections.

Correction Methods: Reposition lambs by pushing them forward slightly to create working room, then gently guide legs or head into proper position. Work with contractions rather than against them.

When to Call Help: Recognize your limitations and call veterinary help for severe malpositions, oversized lambs, or situations beyond your skill level. Professional help may save both ewe and lamb.

Newborn Lamb Care: The Critical First Hours

The first few hours after birth largely determine lamb survival and future performance. Understanding newborn physiology and providing appropriate care sets lambs up for lifelong success.

Immediate Post-Birth Care

Breathing Establishment: Clear mucus from nose and mouth immediately after delivery. Vigorous lambs usually clear their own airways, but weak lambs may need assistance.

Warmth and Drying: Dry lambs thoroughly with towels, paying attention to head and ears where heat loss is greatest. Provide supplemental heat for chilled lambs, but avoid overheating.

Navel Care: Dip navels in 7% iodine solution immediately after birth and again 12-24 hours later. This prevents bacterial infection through the open navel cord.

Colostrum Management

Colostrum provides both nutrition and immune protection that lambs cannot survive without. Managing colostrum effectively prevents many common lamb health problems.

Timing Is Critical: Lambs must consume colostrum within the first 6 hours of life for maximum antibody absorption. Earlier is better—ideal consumption occurs within 2 hours of birth.

Quality Assessment: First-milk colostrum is highest in antibodies and energy. If ewes leak colostrum before lambing or have poor-quality colostrum, supplementation may be necessary.

Quantity Requirements: Lambs need approximately 10% of their body weight in colostrum during the first 24 hours. An 8-pound lamb needs about 13 ounces of colostrum total.

Supplementation Methods: Weak lambs or those from poor-milking mothers may need supplemental colostrum. Use ewe colostrum when possible, frozen colostrum second, and commercial replacers as a last resort.

Early Health Monitoring

Vital Signs: Normal lambs should be alert, standing within 30 minutes, and nursing within 2 hours. Lambs that don't meet these milestones need evaluation and possible intervention.

Temperature Regulation: Newborn lambs have limited ability to regulate body temperature. Provide adequate shelter and supplemental heat during cold weather.

**Nursing Behavior