Lambing essentials for first timer!!

[Robin2020]

I have 20 Mule Ewe lambs due 2nd week April. I will be lambing outside but live in the field in a caravan which should help. Looking for advice on equipment or anything really..

Things I have so far:

Purchased a big garage tent which will have 4 pens inside if required (running power to it for lights).
Just ordered a medium lambing kit which seems to have most bits https://www.tannertrading.co.uk/lambing-kits/essential-lambing-kit-medium/
Also went for a gambel restrainer as I will be on my own.
3 Teat feed bucket and a few bottles.
* Need tags and tagging tool

Anything else you can think of?? Especially as I am on my own...... Should I have injections at the ready?? A call to the vests is probably in order..

 

[Jerry]

Hughes Lambing Snare

As used by vets for many years, this simple tool is favoured by many over the more bulky Dahl lambing instrument, this simple lambing tool is used primarily to hold the lambs head in the correct position for birthing. It is made from plastic coated wire with a nylon handle. A low cost lambing…

www.fairwaypetcare.co.uk

 

[le bon paysan]

As Sep would say, a good spade.

 

[shumungus]

There you go.

 

[Fendt516profi]

A good dog

 

[Tim W]

Patience
The ability to leave them to it and not interfere

 

[Jerry]

Patience
The ability to leave them to it and not interfere

And a good set on binoculars......

 

[Agrivator]

Lambing gloves and lubricant. Colostrum and colostrum feeder.

 

[spark_28]

Bottle of jack daniels

 

[le bon paysan]

Shelf full of Henry Brewis books.

 

[spin cycle]

some kind of lamb warming box in the caravan....doesn't have to be fancy......just somewhere to dry off warm up lambs....artificial colostrum as well

 

[Bald Rick]

Length of washing line.

Probably the most useful bit of kit when I was a sheep farmer

 

[puppet]

Make a pen to catch them. Prepare to call the vet if stuck. Ropes, snares, etc in 5 years once you have the experience.
Don't go crawling about in the middle of the night as most will do it themselves.

 

[Woolless]

I have 20 Mule Ewe lambs due 2nd week April. I will be lambing outside but live in the field in a caravan which should help. Looking for advice on equipment or anything really..

Things I have so far:

Purchased a big garage tent which will have 4 pens inside if required (running power to it for lights).
Just ordered a medium lambing kit which seems to have most bits https://www.tannertrading.co.uk/lambing-kits/essential-lambing-kit-medium/
Also went for a gambel restrainer as I will be on my own.
3 Teat feed bucket and a few bottles.
* Need tags and tagging tool

Anything else you can think of?? Especially as I am on my own...... Should I have injections at the ready?? A call to the vests is probably in order..

That looks like a decent wee kit. Glucose solution for injection would be a suggestion, to revive comatose lambs in conjunction with heating up. But if you're living right next to them and you've just the 20 to lamb the shouldn't be needed. Make sure that you know what you're doing with the stomach tube, though. You'll be doing well not to need antibiotic at some point.

 

[Robin2020]

Thanks guys that's some great advice. I will get making a warming box and watch some vids on how to use the new equipment properly.
Catching them if in trouble is a worry. They come for food but I doubt that will work when in mid birth!!
I agree that not getting involved too early will be key.
I will ring the vet and get the extra drugs suggested too. They are a fair drive so having the kit here is vital.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I have a warming box, with a fan heater blowing into it, does anyone know where I could get a thermostat, that would work with the 13amp plug (plug the 3kw fan heater into the thermostat plug), I have seen them on amazon, but they can't cope with the 3kw fan, it's too high. I have used the warming box with calves too, and it works great. I try to keep the temperature in the box at 40 degrees C.

By the way, important to dry the lamb off before putting it in the box, otherwise the latent heat of evaporation off the wet lamb will chill the lamb further

 

[shumungus]

I have a warming box, with a fan heater blowing into it, does anyone know where I could get a thermostat, that would work with the 13amp plug (plug the 3kw fan heater into the thermostat plug), I have seen them on amazon, but they can't cope with the 3kw fan, it's too high. I have used the warming box with calves too, and it works great. I try to keep the temperature in the box at 40 degrees C.

By the way, important to dry the lamb off before putting it in the box, otherwise the latent heat of evaporation off the wet lamb will chill the lamb further

Horstmann HRT3 | HRT Room Thermostat 5-35°C 13A 250V | Rexeluk

 

[puppet]

To catch them make a funnel along a fence line. Maybe 40 foot of netting in a dog leg then a gate to shut behind her. 6 foot hurdle and plenty string. Any sheep in the pen will attract her in. Alternatively just chase her until one of you collapses.
Is there a friendly farmer you can call on for a wee help and tuition if any problems?
A cheap warming box is an old feed tub, hair dryer and newspapers to insulate the lamb.

 

[Al R]

Septiclense violet disinfectant spray for navals plus a few loops of string, maybe 3mm electrical wire too incase you need to get a head out. Spray tar if you have a lot of foxes.

 

[Robin2020]

Nice sketch Puppet . I have 50m of netting so can copy that fairly easily.
AIR - fox tar sounds interesting. They are a big worry here for sure.