Farmers given five top tips for indoor lambing by Nettex

Gwyn James from Nettex has shared his personal and professional advice to help improve ewe and lamb health through better nutrition and hygiene.

Mr James, who grew up on a sheep and beef farm in Wales, said: "I still help family and friends to lamb inside."

His first piece of advice is to identify ewes showing signs of a calcium deficiency.

He said: "When brought in prior to lambing, ewes can often suffer from a calcium deficiency.

"The nutritional imbalance is caused by the unavailability of metabolisable calcium seen in the final weeks of pregnancy as ewes are put under significant nutritional stress due to accelerated foetal growth.

Having a long-lasting spray helps when the flock is turned out, especially in heavy rain (Image: RUTH DOWNING)

"CalciEwe+ is a calcium drench with added energy, magnesium and niacin to support recovery after pre-lambing exhaustion.

"It should be used when the first signs of calcium deficiency are observed.

"These can include coma, paralysis, rapid breathing, tremors or uncoordinated movements."

Mr James also highlights the importance of addressing twin lamb disease, also known as pregnancy toxaemia, which affects sheep in the late stages of pregnancy.

Farms should prepare a hygienic and comfortable lambing area (Image: RUTH DOWNING)

He said: "If untreated, the ewe is unlikely to recover.

"It's caused by low blood glucose levels and symptoms include weight loss, blindness and ewes will be unable to stand or eat.

"It can be brought on by stress from handling or transporting ewes.

"Ewes with too high or too low a body condition score are at greater risk.

"A twin lamb solution containing a high-energy liquid should be administered as early as possible.

Giving a rapid energy boost to small, weak lambs helps to provide the energy they need to get on their feet and suckle (Image: RUTH DOWNING)

"If caught late and the ewe has gone down, twin lamb solutions become less effective, an important tool at this stage is to make sure the ewe is hydrated via a drenching gun."

Mr James also emphasises the importance of maintaining high standards of hygiene in the lambing area.

He said: "Preparation of a hygienic and comfortable lambing area is a discipline all farms tend to observe.

"However, once lambing starts it is often tricky to maintain these high standards.

"Equipment should be cleaned between uses to minimise the spread of any bacteria and disease.

"Joint Ill and Watery Mouth are commonly caused by poor shed hygiene and can be avoided with a disciplined cleanliness regime."

Following a successful birth, Mr James advises that lambs will benefit from a quality colostrum product to help recover from the birth.

He said: "For lambs that struggle to stand and suckle, an energy boost in the form of colostrum is a must.

"Lambs that don’t feed quickly are at risk from hypothermia, and a colostrum that can elevate blood glucose levels will help lambs to recover and suckle faster.

"It is easy to lapse on marking as lambing gets busy, but it is important to use a quality spray.

"I tail and number lambs and dock the ewe’s tail too.

"Having a long-lasting spray helps when the flock is turned out, especially in heavy rain."