Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
the jug area, especially with nervous ewes. Frightened or nervous ewes can
quickly turn a serene, protective environment into a “lamb blender,” with
fatal results.
If the ewe lambs outside, it is not diffi cult to get her to the jugs nearby.
Carry the lamb slowly, close to the ground so she can see it and follow. Since
lambs do not ordinarily fl y, the ewe will instinctively look for the lamb on the
ground. If the lamb is raised more than a foot or so off the ground, the ewe
may “lose” it and run back to where she dropped it. If this happens, you will
need to go back and begin again. If the lamb calls out to the ewe along the way,
she will normally follow readily. There are commercial “lamb cradles” and
“lamb slings” available, which allow you to carry the newborn lamb inches off
the ground as if it were a suitcase. Using these devices has the advantage of
being easier on your back, with less distraction to the ewe from your humped-
over appearance. From the ewe's viewpoint, it will appear that the lamb has
suddenly begun to follow you, and she will instinctively follow it.
Consider the lambing-barn environment. A healthy barn is clean, dry, and
free of drafts but not warm. Drafty or warm barns can cause pneumonia in
young lambs and sometimes in ewes. A closed barn without proper venti-
lation allows ammonia from fecal decay and urine to build up, which can
irritate eyes and lungs, predisposing an animal to pneumonia and respiratory
disease.
There are two approaches to maintaining a healthy barn environment. In
the fi rst method, the barn is cleaned out each day and a small amount of lime
and fresh bedding are placed on the fl oor. The second approach is called the
deep-bedding method, and it's the one we prefer when any animals are kept in
a barn. It not only provides a good environment for the critters, it cuts down
on daily chores. (See box, “Maintaining a Healthy Barn Environment: The
Deep-Bedding Method,” on page 128.)
Handling Facilities
Handling facilities are a wonderful resource for shepherds with small fl ocks
and an absolute necessity for large fl ocks. They allow you to gather, sort, per-
form medical procedures, and shear your fl ock with a minimum of aggrava-
tion and with less chance of injury to you or your sheep. These facilities don't
have to be extravagant to be effective, but if you do invest in them, you'll be
happy you did.
Well-designed handling facilities consist of a gathering pen, a forcing pen,
chutes, and sorting pens. All pens should be designed so that there are no
 
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