Lambing
Lambing time is an extremely busy time in the sheep calendar. It lets producers see the results of a year worth of management, in the ewe’s ability to produce vigorous healthy lambs and produce good levels of milk for her young. It is a time for absolute attention to detail, we have produced a series of information sheets to aid at this time of year.
For more information on lambing topics see our sheep updates section, where you will find timely articles relating to pre and post lambing.
Sheep Worrying Advice for Lambing Time
Worrying of sheep has serious implications to animal welfare, the farmers finances, but also results in added emotional stress of farmers who find dead or injured stock during what is an already stressful period in the farming calendar.
Click here for more advice on how to address sheep worrying >>
Tail Docking and Castration
Technical Note (TN679): Castration and Tail Docking in Lambs
Castration and tail docking are often performed as routine husbandry procedures, to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and flystrike in sheep. These procedures are painful, and farmers should consider whether they are necessary. This Technical Note discuses castration and tail docking methods, recently developed tools, welfare code recommendations and legislation.
Lamb Castration & Tail Docking: Alternative Methods
For over a decade, concerns have grown around the pain associated with traditional rubber ring castration and tail docking. Now there are practical, lower pain alternatives becoming available. In this video, we demonstrate the use of Numnuts and ClipFitter in four week old lambs and speak with a local vet about whether castration is always necessary to give you practical insights to support informed, welfare-focused decisions.
Using Clips for Castration and Tails
New methods are available for tailing and castrating lambs including the use of clips, in this video the various steps are shown when applying clips including the size of clip to select, restraining the lamb and applying the clip. The clip causes minimal pain to the lamb compared to other methods, increasing the welfare, time for ewe/lamb bonding and intake of colostrum and milk.
Sustainable Sheep Systems Webinar - Tail Docking and Castration
Watch our webinar recording where we speak to three farmers who using the alternative methods on tail docking and castration. We hear how they work in practice while comparing labour and cost to the conventional rubber ring. We also hear from SRUC Vet Marion McMillan about impact on welfare and lamb performance.
FAS TV - Lamb Castration and Cattle Outwintering
In this episode of FAS TV, we're with Lawrence Martin where he gives us a step by step demonstration in applying ClipFitter clips, along with discussing the benefits to animal welfare and improved efficiency on farm. And we hear from Kirsten Williams from SAC Consulting along with farmer Jonny Stewart, Rashenlochy Farm, Banchory, to hear the results of an innovative forage crops project through Monitor Farm Scotland.
FAS TV - Tail Docking and Castration in Lambs
In this episode of FAS TV, we hear from crofter, Malcolm MacDonald, who is using a new and innovative method for castration and tail docking in lambs. These new methods have been designed to enhance the welfare of the lamb at the time of castration and docking, as well as allowing a larger timeframe for these procedures to be undertaken.
Indoor Lambing Management
As lambing time approaches, we tackle key challenges in this timely video, where we address colostrum, hygiene, iodine supply and reducing antibiotics at lambing time.
Reducing Labour At Lambing Time
The lambing period can be extremely labour intensive. In this video we provide some simple, low cost tips to ‘tweak’ the system to reduce labour and now is the time to review your lambing accommodation to see what changes can be made for a more efficient lambing. Reducing labour time spent on the simple things such as filling water buckets will allow more time to be spent on the more important tasks. View here >>
New Entrants Guide to Post-Lambing Procedures
In this new entrant's guide, we look at post-lambing procedures and what you can do to support your lambs but also get them registered. View here >>
Colostrum & Milk
Choosing the Right Milk Replacer for your Lambs
Rearing pet lambs can be a difficult task for many, and with several milk replacers on the market, choosing the best for your lambs can be a challenge. The following video discusses best practices for rearing lambs on milk replacers and what we are looking for when selecting a replacer to ensure lambs continue to thrive on the farm.
Colostrum For Lambs
Colostrum is the ultimate super food for new born lambs, watch this short video, where Kirsten Williams gives some tips on storing, freezing and defrosting colostrum for this lambing.
Lamb & Ewe Health
Live Lambs
“Live Lambs” was a 3 year project delivered by SAC Consulting aimed at understanding and overcoming the challenges of lamb mortality on Scottish Farms, with an overall aim of reducing lamb losses using 5 key focus areas:
- Body Condition Score
- Nutrition
- Lambing Management
- Abortion
- Identifying Causes of Lamb Losses
Sign up to the FAS newsletter
Receive updates on news, events and publications from Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service