[summermeadows]

Last year we brought our ewes indoors the day before the first lambs were due. It was overall much more successful than our usual outdoors lambing, but I've heard that a change in management like this can cause them stress and therefore potential health risks. When would experienced shepherds recommend moving pregnant ewes indoors? My reasoning behind leaving it till the day before due date was so they didn't have to spend too long in such an unnatural situation, but do you think I should bring them in a few days earlier so they get used to the new routine?

Thanks.

[Anke]

but do you think I should bring them in a few days earlier so they get used to the new routine?

Thanks.

Yes.

[SallyintNorth]

Depending on how laid back and friendly / tame the ewes are, either a few days or a week or more.  We used to bring our mules in 2 or 3 days before the first were due, older Swales (carrying triplets or otherwise a cause for concern) 5-7 days before; Swale shearlings who would be lambing for the first time, 7-10 days before, and into a shed where there were already other sheep on an established routine, to help settle them.

But they will settle quite quickly when they realise they have good forage on tap and lovely cake twice a day! 

[summermeadows]

Thanks for the replies. I've a mixture of quite tame Texel/Welsh crosses, fairly tame old Welsh girls and 9 first time mums who aren't very tame yet, so I think I'll bring them in a few days earlier than I would otherwise have done. Hopefully the newbies won't have theirs first and they can get used to what's going on and take their cue from the oldies.

[jaykay]

I bring mine in the week before, but I'm able to let them have access to a couple of grass holding pens as well as the barn with the lambing pens in.