Open Range Production Of Sheep Parturition(lambing)

Job description

Starting on or around October 15, workers will begin preparing for the season. The worker will be responsible for rotating animals onto fresh feed, watering animals as needed, administer supplemental feed and minerals, doctor any sick animals, bed down herds, set up and take down portable electric fencing as necessary throughout the range location, protect animals from poisonous plants as well as from predators and monitor herd needs. This season is a critical phase in the production cycle. Feeding and management are essential to the success of the season. It is during these last weeks of pregnancy that there is a need for increased feed, primarily to a more nutrient rich diet. Extra nutrition is needed to support fetal growth. Worker will be responsible for helping move animals to staging areas, and monitoring animals closely during the last weeks of pregnancy to be sure they are in good health before Parturition. Worker will ensure adequate feed supply, prepare necessary equipment, repair as necessary. There are 2 stages of parturition fall lambing and spring lambing. The worker must be able to demonstrate knowledge of sheep and experience with animal nutrition and parturition along with the ability to monitor animals to determine readiness to give birth. Assisting with delivery, maintaining a clean environment. Animals will need to be checked regularly during the 24-hour day, as animals can give birth around the clock. Knowledge of and ability to determine normal and abnormal parturition situations. Monitor closely to help prevent problems. Ability to determine when assistance is required. Monitor health/growth and nutrition of newborn. Once the animals have given birth, it is important that the pairs do not break the bond. The new pairs are quickly moved into isolated feed paddocks in close proximity to the main herd in order to provide for a slower pace where bonding and mothering can occur without distraction. Extra care must be given to their health and welfare including doctoring any ill animals and maintaining vigilance when night penning. Predation must be monitored and mitigated with human presence, night penning and guardian dogs. During this time frame the worker will assist with the following: Vaccinations, worming, castrating and docking tails. Pair each baby with their mother, mark and separate them into the nursery pens, away from the main herd for bonding, feeding and attention. These are kept in separate, portable pens which are constructed and deconstructed In order to provide quality feed as they are moved around the field at a slower pace. Supplements may also be given in some instances. Regular checks are also done on the babies and mothers to be sure of adequate milk supply & nurturing. These are repeated throughout the day and meanwhile the main herd continues to lamb or kid more and more intensely and the nursery pens continue to multiply. These are then moved from one feeding area to another at a much slower pace. Over time these are slowly combined with other nursery pens until eventually, herds are created. It is necessary to leave these in smaller size herds that are a manageable size for herding or should relocation become necessary. Worker may perform other farm or ranch chores related to the production and husbandry on an incidental basis. Must care for and control guardian dogs as well as herding dogs. Employee must be willing to perform tasks capably and efficiently without close supervision, and live and work singly or in small groups of workers in isolated areas for extended periods of time. The job may entail operating a 4-wheeler and use dogs for movement of livestock. Worker must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Special Requirements