Services
Lambing Supplies
Essential Lambing Supplies for a Successful Lambing Season
From lamb and kid cradle to lamb and kid puller, we got it all for you. Read this checklist to prepare for the upcoming lambing season. There is no need to worry about caring for a newborn lamb or ewes; we have provided this guide so you won’t face any lambing difficulties.
Lamb and Kid Cradle
Using a lamb and kid cradle from Beaver State Plastics, you can transport your lamb safely and efficiently. This cradle was created with both the lamb and ewe in mind. If you are a farmer who wants to focus on animal welfare and efficiency, this lambing supply is what you need for your lambs and ewes.
Launch your project with fast, reliable, and high-quality plastic injection molding services.
Why Use a Lamb and Kid Cradle
Natural Carry Position
This cradle helps maintain the lambs’ natural position, preventing stress and rupture during movement. With this product, you can ensure the well-being of your sheep or flock.
Safe Handling
Whether you’re carrying one lamb or multiple lambs, the cradle’s innovative design lets you carry up to 4 lambs at once. This product will greatly help reduce trips and save time during lambing season.
Injury Support
Your lambs must be safe when transporting, especially when they are already injured. This product helps provide the care and attention they need.
Easy to Sterilize
Cleaning this item is not a problem. To clean it, simply pour hot water over the cradle. You may use any antiseptic solution to sterilize it so you can safely reuse it.
Durable and Efficient Design
The Lamb Cradle is made from high-quality, durable materials to adapt to the challenges of farm life. The product ensures the navel can protrude comfortably; if not, pressure can be on your lamb’s transfer. This product will minimize pressure and support your lamb’s healthy development.
Contact us
Start Your Project Today
Kick off your custom injection molding project with ease. Our team is ready to bring your ideas to life with precision and efficiency.
OB Leg Snare
The OB Leg Snare is specially designed to assist in the normal delivery of both ewe and lamb, kids, and other baby animals. This product makes lambing and birthing processes smoother and safer. Beaver State Plastics OB Leg Snare is an essential lambing tool that improves your ability to provide critical support for your baby animals when needed.
Why Use an OB Leg Snare
Improvement in Delivery
When some deliveries become challenging, such as when a lamb is presented hind legs first, the OB Leg Snare will enhance your control with lambs, kids, or sucklings. Using this product will give you confidence and peace of mind as you handle the delivery, ensuring it flows smoothly and without hassle.
Efficiency and Security
When handling the animal, you can be confident that the leg snare’s adapting notches will prevent slipping and grip firmly without injuring it. We, at Beaver State Plastics, have designed this product to fit securely around the front legs or back of the fetlocks.
Durability and Manageability
Be confident in reusing this durable snare because it is built for long-lasting use and is easy to disinfect. Our quality-controlled design ensures it is easy to disinfect. For a better experience, pair it with the Lamb Puller and Bearing Retainer to complete your lambing kit.
Prolapse Retainer
Reliable support for ewes during lambing season is an utmost priority. Ewes normally lamb without any difficulty or assistance, but there are times when a normal process is needed, especially if the lamb is not in a normal presentation. This is when lambing time can be both exciting and challenging.
Assisted delivery only happens generally when there are multiple births, special cases of the lamb’s legs intertwined, or maybe it’s your first lambing experience. Don’t worry; even an experienced shepherd seeks help when needed.
The health of your flock is one of your primary concerns, right? This Prolapse Retainer from Beaver State Plastics is essentially effective in controlling vaginal prolapse in ewes. Moreover, it is designed to help you use it easily and ensure your flock’s welfare. This product provides a gentle and safely managed prolapse.
Why Use Our Prolapse Retainer
Here are some of the reasons why you’ll need a prolapse retainer:
Effective Prolapse Control
This prolapse retainer aids in your ewe’s gently pushing the prolapse back into place. When there is already a mucous discharge, this is a sign that lambing time has begun. The next phase will be the constantly increasing uterine contractions. Making the ewe urinate will reduce the discomfort.
It has a well-lubricated paddle designed to fit snugly close to the rectum for secure placement. The lamb will help itself with the natural birthing process, although sometimes the problem arises when there is not enough room inside the birth canal to position the lamb correctly or when the lamb appears to be wedged in the birth canal.
Safe for Lambing
Once inserted, the prolapse retainer does not interfere with lambing and can be safely used in a pregnant ewe. Its design ensures it can remain in place for up to a month, and the ewe will enjoy this support throughout its recovery.
Durable and Easy to Sterilize
The material used in the design and construction of this product is of high quality. It is easy to sterilize and resists foreign matter. To sterilize it, simply pour hot water over it, or you may use a reliable antiseptic solution for quick disinfection.
At Beaver State Plastics, we are committed to helping provide livestock farmers with durable, reliable, and, most of all, safe lambing equipment. One of these products is our prolapse retainer, crafted to make the lambing process easier and consider the health and safety of our flock altogether.
Start Production Now!
The Pull-EZE Lamb and Kid Puller is a useful tool for helping with safe delivery of lambs.
Be worry-free during your difficult deliveries of lambs and ewes! The Pull-EZE Lamb and Kid Puller, brought to you by Beaver State Plastics, is an innovative lambing instrument designed to handle even the most challenging births. This product provides a secure and gentle solution to assist you in handling your flock during delivery.
The Pull-EZE Lambing Instrument is made to help with tough deliveries, making sure that the lambs or kids are born safely and without hurting the ewe or the babies. This tool makes it easier to handle difficult births with accuracy. The ewe may need extreme effort to push the head and shoulders of the lamb through her pelvis. Once this happens, ewes give birth in a faster rate.
Why Use Our Pull-EZE Lamb and Kid Puller
Let’s guide you through the advantages of using our Pull-EZE Lamb and Kid Puller:
Safety for Both Ewe and Lamb
You are guided from the start to the end of the process because we provide clear, step-by-step instructions. The aim of this puller is to reduce stress and strain on both the ewe and the lamb, ensuring that all legs and head belong to the same lamb during delivery. This process ensures smoother and safer birth process whatever the circumstances.
Precision and Ease of Use
The clear, step-by-step instructions of the Pull-EZE tool allow farmers to position the lamb’s head and legs in the proper place. The puller’s “Y” design ensures the lamb stays in the proper spot for a successful delivery without causing harm.
Durability and Hygienity
Our Pull-EZE is made from a specially designed synthetic material that is resistant to foreign matter. This kind of material is easy to sterilize and maintain. Sterilization is done by simply pouring hot water over the instrument or using a reliable antiseptic solution making it still usable and definitely clean to be reused.
Pull-EZE Lamb and Kid Puller: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Put the ewe in the position that is usually used for lambing.
- Use your left hand to hold the Pull-EZE. Put your first three fingers through the loop of the cord with your right hand. Leave your thumb and little finger outside.
- Put your hand and the tool into the ewe. Let go of your thumb and little finger and bring them back into the loop. You can now use your whole hand to help with the release.
- Take a strong hold of the lamb's head and slowly pull it forward. Make sure the tool's "Y"-shaped part is firmly under the neck.
- Put the string behind the lamb's ears and around its head. Make the cord tight with your left hand. Place the tool's flat end against your right knee to make it more stable. This will free up your left hand to pull the cord.
- Setting up the Legs: Once the cord is tight, pull the tool forward a little to make a space between the "Y" and the lamb's neck. This is where you should put the legs. With your right hand, hold the legs and pull the cord tighter.
- The lamb is now ready to be born because its head and legs are in the right place. Pull the cord and instrument strongly towards you with your left hand. Keep your right hand inside the ewe to keep the lamb's nose from getting out of place by guiding it past the hip.
- Once the nose and legs are in the pelvis, take your right hand away and keep pulling steadily on the instrument to finish the delivery without putting too much stress on the ewe.
- Farmers who use the Pull-EZE Lamb and Kid Puller can make sure that both the ewe and the lamb have a better and less stressful birth.
Preparing for Lambing Season
As you prepare for the lambing season, you need to focus on the following:
Body Condition of the Ewes
Maintain ewes in average body condition during pregnancy to ensure healthy and vigorous lambs at birth. Most ewes with body condition scores of 4 or 5 will have excessive amounts of fat over the backbone and may develop pregnancy toxemia. Thin ewes that do not consume enough energy in their diet can also develop pregnancy toxemia.
Observe ewes during the last month of pregnancy for signs of difficulty getting up and moving around due to their pregnancy weight. Ensure ewes are eating and have access to fresh water, and increase the energy density of the ration during the last third of pregnancy to prevent late pregnancy toxemia. Young ewes may require additional monitoring and care due to their smaller pelvic size and inexperience, which can lead to complications during delivery.
Lambing Facilities
Move ewes into a group pen or a convenient area where they and the sheep can be watched more closely a few weeks before the expected arrival of the first lambs. Ensure enough room to prevent overcrowding, with approximately 16 square feet for each ewe in a barn. Use lambing jugs to accommodate the flock size, with one or two jugs for every ten ewes. Sort out ewes closest to lambing based on breeding dates and physical appearance.
Lambing Supplies and Equipment
These are the essential items to help in the lambing process:
- Iodine or triodine is used to dip the navel cords of newborn lambs.
- Colostrum or milk replacer is used to feed lambs when an ewe does not have enough for her lamb(s).
- Weak lamb feeding: tube feed, bottles, and nipples for feeding weak lambs.
- A heat lamp or “lamb hotel” keeps newborn lambs warm.
- Towels for drying off newborn lambs.
- Antibiotic and lubricant for assisting with difficult births.
- Veterinary advice and specialized tools may be required to safely deliver and handle deformed lambs.
Health and Hygiene
Health and hygiene must be the main focus when handling the lambing process. As a good practice the following essential guidelines must be set, and the tools provided:
Arm-length disposable plastic gloves for handling ewes and lambs. It is important to wash hands first before using plastic gloves.
Clean bucket, warm water, soap, and approved surgical scrub solution for cleaning and disinfecting equipment.
Lambing snares (various designs are available) are great for assisting with difficult births. Our OB Leg Snare is a great example.
Obstetrical lubricant for assisting with difficult births.
The Lambing Process
Understanding Normal Parturition in Sheep: What to Expect and When
Sheep pregnancy typically lasts 143-147 days, during which unseen development occurs. However, as lambing time approaches, visible signs indicate the start of the birthing process, allowing shepherds to prepare.
As a ewe nears parturition, these are the signs you should look out for:
- Udder Development. When a ewe is getting ready to give birth, her udder and teats will be distended. Additionally, the udder enlarges and begins producing colostrum. This colostrum, the same one that human mothers produce, is the nutrient-rich first milk crucial for lamb health.
Following the delivery of one lamb, it is customary to gently probe the abdomen right in front of the udder, which shows whether there is another lamb(s) in the uterus. Opinions are divided on whether to deliver the second lamb or leave well alone.
- Ligament Changes: The ligaments around the tail head soften, causing a noticeable slackening as the ewe’s body readies itself for birth.
The three stages of normal lambing are:
- Cervical Dilation
The cervix relaxes and opens, and the ewe experiences uterine contractions. This stage typically lasts 2–6 hours. - Expulsion of the lamb
The lamb’s head, forelegs, or hind legs enter the birth canal. This stage usually lasts 30–120 minutes. - Expulsion of the placenta
The ewe passes the placenta, which usually occurs within 8–12 hours after birth.
Signs that a ewe is about to lamb include: Becoming uneasy, getting up and down frequently, switching her tail, bleating frequently, and straining.
A farmer may need to assist with the delivery if the ewe is having trouble, there are complications, or the lamb is too large
Use a ewe retainer if the ewe is having trouble giving birth. Our Prolapse Retainer aids in the smooth assistance of the lambs’ birthing process. Preparing for the lambing and even an abnormal delivery as the worst-case scenario has never been easier with the prolapse retainer.
Check the ewe to ensure she’s fully dilated and the lamb is in the correct position, especially in cases involving later-born lambs, which can include risks like asphyxiation if the amnion does not rupture appropriately or an elbow lock.
An elbow lock is one of the most common malpresentations and is usually easy to correct. It is when a lamb’s head and front feet extend from the cervix, but the feet are bent downward at the elbow.
To correct an elbow lock, you can:
- Press the lamb’s head back into the ewe’s pelvis.
- Flex the lamb’s shoulder, elbow, and knee joints on the remaining leg.
- Extend the femur and elbow joints in that sequence.
- Apply mild tension on both forelegs.
Another strategy for helping with difficult births is to alternately pull one front leg back and then the other, at a slightly downward angle, to help the lamb out.
Remember to place the lamb in front of the ewe once it’s born. The first hour after birth is the most crucial bond that the ewe has with its lamb. Let us read on to learn why the bonding between the ewe and the lamb is an important phase in the lambing process.
First, this is when the lamb gets the colostrum from the ewe. Sucking colostrum from the ewe helps create that mother and child bond, which improves its survival. Lambs that are weak and slow to stand and suck have a high chance of developing hypothermia, infectious disease, and starvation.
Remember, colostrum contains growth factors that strengthen the lamb’s gut, aid in closing it, and limit the spread of pathogens. Allowing the ewe to claim the lamb helps her clean and dry it off. After the lambing, the ewe and lamb can be moved to a lambing jug, which is an individual pen that helps with bonding and prevents the ewe from smothering the lamb.
How to deliver a breech lamb?
- Start by carefully bringing the lamb’s back legs forward, guiding them until they’re straightened out.
- Cup the lamb’s ankles (called fetlocks) in your palm, keeping a gentle but steady grip to support the legs.
- Once the hind legs are in position, continue with the delivery as quickly as you can. Timing is important here to help the lamb safely enter the world.
- As soon as the umbilical cord breaks, the lamb will start breathing, so act promptly to reduce the risk of it inhaling any fluid.
Becoming uneasy, getting up and down frequently, switching her tail, bleating frequently, and straining.
A farmer may need to assist with the delivery if the ewe is having trouble, there are complications, or the lamb is too large
Caring for Newborn Lambs:
1.Monitor the ewe’s contractions and behavior, and leave her alone if she’s pushing.
2.The water bag will appear first, followed by the lamb within 30 minutes to 1 hour.
3.Assist the ewe by cleaning the lamb’s mouth and nose, and ensuring it’s breathing.
4.Allow the ewe to claim the newborn lamb and dry it off.
5.Ewe lambs should not be bred until they have reached maturity to avoid potential complications during delivery.
6.When the ewe and ram lambs are four months old, they must be separated and also vaccinated to control parasites that might impose health risks other sheep.
Pay close attention to nutrition to maintain proper ewe body condition throughout pregnancy.
1.Assemble supplies well ahead of when the first lambs are expected to arrive and take the time to observe ewes throughout the lambing season to ensure a smooth lambing season.
2.Keep an eye out for signs of labor, such as the udder becoming engorged.
3.Be prepared to assist with lambing if needed.
4.Ensure you are present to uphold the safety of the newborn lamb. Ensure the lamb’s mouth and nose are clean of mucous and fluid.
5.Ensure the lambs are breathing well then allow the ewe to claim the newborn lamb and dry it off.
6.To ensure there is not even a single dead lamb, assisting with newborn lamb birthing is needed. Difficult births (Dystocia) are one of the leading causes of newborn lamb deaths. In New Zealand, it accounts for 50% of newborn lambs deaths.
7.Never put the ewes into lambing pens if they have not finished lambing. These ewes may not have enough room to get the first lamb out with the limited space in a lambing pen. When they’re done lambing, that’s the time you may put them into lambing pens.
8.If the ewes have enough room in the lambing pens, they should be locked up at night.
9.Additionally, remember that ewe lambs should not be bred until they have developed into a sufficient age. When healthy and nutritionally nourished, breeding ewe lambs should be between 10-12 months.
Why Choose Beaver State Plastics?
We designed our lambing supplies with you, our dear farmers, in mind. We aim to provide practical solutions to help you streamline your operations and, most of all, enhance your lamb’s welfare. Trust in Beaver State Plastics to provide lambing equipment that ensures both quality and performance for your farm.
Shop on so you won’t have to worry about the coming lambing season!
PLASTIC INJECTION OREGON
Our Resources
Want to know more? Check out our resources carefully made just for you.
New to injection molding and unsure where to start? Our comprehensive guide has all the answers to help you choose the best plastic injection molding service provider.
There is no better way to show our capabilities to you than sharing our experiences working with our partners.
We have prepared these articles to help you as you venture further into plastic injection molding and understand the plastics industry better.