Written by the Milk Products team, Chilton, Wisconsin
(Previously published in Morning Ag Clips: November 5, 2018)
(Image Source: Premier 1 Supplies)
With winter here and lambing season near, below are a few quick tips on how to keep your lambs warm and healthy this winter.
Keep lambs growing in cold weather by managing environment, nutrition, and health.
As the temperature drops and snow starts falling, it is time to start thinking differently about how we care for lambs. For sheep raisers in cold climates, winter is a time to take special precautions to ensure lambs grow healthy and strong.
“Despite the lamb’s built-in wool blanket, winter can be stressful for young sheep,” says Julian (Skip) Olson, DVM, technical services manager for Milk Products. “Sheep are most comfortable at 45-70 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures dip below this level, we need to do everything we can to make sure lambs stay healthy and perform.
Here are five areas to consider as you prepare for winter’s arrival:
Keep lambs out of cold, wet weather
“Adult sheep are capable of enduring the outdoors during the thick of winter, but lambs are not,” explains Olson. “Young sheep need protection from the elements and bitterly cold temperatures.”
House lambs in a well-ventilated structure free of direct drafts. Ventilation is important to keep lambs healthy and prevent illnesses like pneumonia. Fresh air reduces moisture, animal odor, and gasses that can cause respiratory problems by diluting the barn air contaminants. Consider opening windows, fans and inlets around the ceiling perimeter to allow fresh, cold air from the outside to mix with warm air before it reaches the lambs.
“Lambs are hardy animals that can tolerate cold temperatures if they have plenty of dry, clean bedding,” says Olson. “A thick layer of sawdust or shavings beneath the bedding can provide an extra layer of insulation.”
Provide nutrition to meet high requirements
“Nutritional requirements often increase during cold weather, especially if lambs become wet or are exposed to considerable wind,” notes Olson. “Typically, in temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, lambs demand additional energy to maintain normal body temperature.”
Quality nutrition is a must to meet the high energy requirements of growing lambs in winter. These energy demands begin on day one.
“Newborn lambs should receive colostrum, or a colostrum replacer specifically formulated for lambs, as soon after birth as possible,” says Olson.
Between two and four days of age, switch to a lamb-specific milk replacer. Look for an all-milk protein formula containing at least 23% protein and 30% fat to provide your lambs with high energy to meet your performance goals.
“Depending on the lamb’s age, you can supply more energy by adding in an additional feeding of milk replacer per day and by feeding grain or dry hay,” says Olson.
To give lambs a boost, feed an electrolyte supplement that contains energy and amino acids to help replenish lost nutrients and fluids.
Watch for signs of hypothermia
“Hypothermia can set in quickly during windy and wet conditions, even in mild temperatures,” warns Olson.
A lamb with hypothermia will appear weak, gaunt, or hunched up and have a cold mouth and ears. Use a rectal thermometer to check its temperature.
“A temperature below 100 degrees Fahrenheit is considered hypothermic,” says Olson. “Feed warm colostrum or milk replacer to increase a hypothermic lamb’s body temperature.”
You can also warm lambs by placing them in a warming box until their temperature reaches 101 degrees Fahrenheit. A warming box is a confined space to keep lambs warm and dry – it can either be purchased or homemade. A homemade warming box can be as simple as hair dryers blowing into dog crates or an insulated cooler with hot water bottles. Warming boxes are designed to provide constant, gentle heat rather than direct heat, which can cause overheating or hyperthermia (above normal body temperature). Make sure to clean and sanitize the warming box regularly.
Don’t forget the water
Sheep still need water even when the weather turns cold. Growing lambs drink about 1-2 gallons of water per day, and adult sheep require 3 gallons of water daily.
“Provide lambs and expectant ewes with plenty of fresh, clean water,” says Olson. “Eating snow or licking ice in winter is not a suitable substitute for water.”
Consider installing a tank heater in your water source to prevent the water from freezing.
Offer a clean, dry place for lambing
If you practice late-winter lambing, house ewes in a space that provides newborn lambs with a good start to life.
“Keep ewes close to lambing indoors to ensure they give birth in a dry, clean and draft-free environment,” recommends Olson.
Use warming lamps as an aid to dry off lambs. However, use lamps in moderation since overuse may lead to respiratory problems. Also, keep heat lamps away from hay, straw and excessive dust to help prevent fire.
Remember, sheep are most comfortable at 45-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Taking time to prepare for cold weather before it hits, will help your lambs stay healthy and keep growing during winter’s chill.