Preparing small ruminants for kidding and lambing
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EmailWith kidding and lambing season right around the corner, owners should prepare their animals to get the best outcome.
Kidding and lambing season is coming and there are steps that owners should take to make sure their herd or flock is prepared. By taking the time to prepare the animals and facilities, owners can mitigate potential issues and position their animals for the best possible outcome during this stressful time.
Step one: Implement a vaccination program for your herd or flock
Four to six weeks before the animals are due to deliver, they should receive a Clostridium perfringens type C + D and tetanus, or CDT, vaccine booster and an appropriate dose of BoSe if not already providing selenium through feed or mineral mix. BoSe is recommended for the prevention and treatment of white muscle disease (Selenium-Tocopherol Deficiency) syndrome in lambs and kids.
Step two: Monitor your feeding program to meet nutritional needs of the gestating animals
Does and ewes in the last trimester of pregnancy should have their feed intake monitored to ensure they are meeting the growing nutritional needs in late gestation. These nutritional needs can be difficult to meet and can be further complicated by the reduced size of the rumen due to the increased space occupied by multiple fetuses. It is important to feed a highly digestible forage such as good quality hay and an energy-dense supplement such as corn to meet these demands. Failure to meet the needs of these expectant animals can result in ketosis or other metabolic conditions.
Step three: Source the necessary supplies to have on hand
When preparing for kidding/lambing season, it is important to have some basic supplies on hand to assist with the delivery process if needed. Producers can consult with their herd veterinarian on what supplies should be kept on hand. Some suggestions include:
- Disinfectant or antibacterial soap for cleaning before and after the exam
- Towels for drying kids/lambs
- Iodine for dipping navels
- Disposable OB gloves for exams or pulling kids/lambs
- OB lubricant for exams
- Clean bucket for warm, soapy water for preparing the animal for exam
- Kid/lamb puller
- Large syringe and stomach tube for feeding neonates that can’t or won’t nurse.
Step four: Prepare an area for kidding or lambing
As the due date approaches, animals should be placed in well-bedded pens in a dry, draft-free area if kidding or lambing during cold weather. Supplemental heat that is suitable for barn use may be needed for extreme weather conditions.
Once you have taken these steps to properly prepare for the kidding or lambing season on your farm, you will be ready to assist the animals in your flock or herd. One of the most important things to remember as animals go into labor is to give the process time and not rush things. Most animals will deliver with no problem on their own if left to themselves.
The first stages of labor can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours. This stage includes the animal isolating herself, if possible, restlessness and nesting behavior. The water bag will also emerge.
The second stage of labor should last less than 45 minutes and include the fetus moving into the pelvic canal and hard labor resulting in delivery of the fetus. It is recommended that if you see no progress for 20 minutes in the second stage of delivery that the owner intervene and check for normal delivery position. Assisting an animal during the birthing process requires some expertise. If owners are unsure or inexperienced, they should contact their veterinarian.
Michigan State University Extension is offering a webinar series on the birth management of small ruminants. Click here to register for the 2026 Birth Management for Small Ruminants series.
Register for the 2026 Birth Management for Small Ruminants series
