Essential checklist for lambing and kidding season prep

By Blake Jackson

As winter approaches in the Northeast, it’s time to prepare for lambing and kidding season. A pre-lambing/kidding checklist should be reviewed about a month before the first due date to ensure all necessary tools and supplies are ready.

Start by checking the deep freezer for stored colostrum from the previous year. Colostrum can be frozen for up to a year and should be kept in human breast-milk bags, which are easy to thaw and store.

If there’s no access to quality frozen colostrum, a fresh bag of colostrum replacer should be kept on hand. Ensure the replacer contains milk solids and not just supplements.

Additionally, clean bottles and nipples, along with a Lambar System for feeding multiple lambs or kids, are essential. A bottle and nipple brush for cleaning, as well as a feeding tube and syringe for weak babies, should also be prepared.

Next, check the supply of vaccines, such as C,D & T, BoSe, and any antibiotics. If raising sheep or goats for the first time, establishing a relationship with a knowledgeable veterinarian is crucial, as many medications require veterinary oversight.

Needles and syringes are necessary for administering vaccines and medications. For lambs or kids, use 20- or 22-gauge needles for subcutaneous injections and 18- or 20-gauge for intramuscular injections. Consult a veterinarian if unsure about the appropriate size.

For lambing and kidding pens, ensure panels, water buckets, feed pans, and hay feeders are clean and in good condition. It’s important to disinfect these items before use.

Heat lamps for weak babies should be checked and set up securely in a lamb/kid “hotel,” which can be a 50-gallon drum with ventilation holes. Always use heat lamps rated for livestock to avoid fire hazards.

Other essential tools include clean towels, chains, OB gloves, lube, nasal bulb, disinfectant, scissors, and iodine. After birth, lambs and kids should be tagged, weighed, and their birth information recorded.

Additional supplies such as an elastrator, dehorning equipment, and pain medication should be available for post-birth care.

This list may vary depending on specific needs, but having these basics will ensure readiness for lambing and kidding season.

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