If you’re a new shepherd buying your first breeding lambs, the following are a few tips to make the transition easier and to keep them healthy and growing.

• Infrastructure needs should be met before lambs arrive: a clean water source, hay/feed/adequate pasture space, minerals (for sheep), secure fencing, and shelter or shade. If you’re using guardian animals, allow them to become accustomed to each other through the fence before mingling.
• If you’re adding new sheep to an existing flock, isolate the new lambs in an area separate from your existing sheep for at least 30 days to prevent the possibility of disease transmission. If you’ve purchased sheep from different sources, keep those groups separated as well.
• Develop a record-keeping system. Start with recording their tag numbers (flock ID and Scrapie tags), registration numbers, vaccination dates, weights, health treatments, etc. Record-keeping is important to track future production: lambing data, number of lambs born and weaned, weaning weights, etc. 
• Establish a relationship with a veterinarian before you need them.
• Design a handling system. Buy or build either a chute system or catch pen and get the lambs used to being handled. A portable system works well because needs change as your flock grows. Buy a scale; it’s the best investment you’ll ever make. Sheep are less stressed when sheep handling becomes more routine. At handling, check their weight and body condition, trim hooves if necessary, look for signs of parasitism (FAMACHA score), and record any vaccines or treatments. 
• Avoid treating ram lambs as pets. Friendly ram lambs can become aggressive towards people as they mature, especially during breeding season.
• Transition their feed. If the lambs you purchased were supplemented with grain, it is a good idea to make the transition to a different feeding program as slow and stress free as possible. A general rule of thumb is to avoid increasing or decreasing grain by more than ¼ lb at a time and maintain that amount for 3-4 days before changing again. New shepherds sometimes overfeed their lambs, which is not only costly, but excess fat can negatively affect future production. The key is to meet their nutritional needs based on their stage of production, but don’t overdo it.
• Pasture forage species can be vastly different between, and even within, regions and it may take some time for the sheep to acclimate. In addition, the stress of transport and adjusting to the new environment can make them more susceptible to illness or parasites. Monitor the new lambs closely for signs of stress-related illness: anemia, weight loss, sluggishness, and diarrhea.
•  If you are breeding ewe lambs, they should weigh 80-90 lbs or approximately 70% of their mature body weight before breeding. Most Katahdin ewe lambs will cycle for the first time around 6-10 months of age. Trim hooves before breeding to prevent soreness or limping during late pregnancy. Overfeeding during pregnancy can lead to lambing difficulties. As lambing nears, bring the sheep closer to the work area or barn so that you can easily intervene or pen up a ewe in need.

By: Roxanne Newton and Kathy Bielek