Open Range Production Parturition – Lambing

Job description

Parturition takes place on the range. Starting on or around October 1, the worker will begin preparing for the season. The worker will be responsible for rotating ewes to sheltered areas on the range and to monitor animals. 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 ewes to staging areas, and monitoring animals closely during the last weeks of pregnancy to be sure they are in good health before Parturition.
Parturition begins in October and lasts for approximately 6 months. During that time the worker will assist with the birthing of approximately 3500 animals. The worker must be able to demonstrate knowledge of sheep, and experience with animal nutrition and parturition along with the ability to monitor to determine readiness to give birth.
Assisting ewes with delivery, maintaining a clean environment. Ewes 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. Monitor to ensure that newborn is nursing, taking in colostrum and milk. If newborns are not nursing as needed, supplement and assist as needed to ensure growth. Bottle feeding as necessary.
Once the ewes have given birth, it is important that the livestock pairs do not break the bond. At this point livestock pairs are separated from pregnant ewes, we give extra attention to moving the pairs back to the flock. Care must be given to their health and welfare including doctoring and ill animals and maintain vigilance over their prescience 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: Animal vaccinations, castration and de-worm animals. Set up holding pens and panels for those sheep that need assistance. Have lambing supplies prepared and ready for use. The season ends once all livestock pairs are moved back to the herd.
Worker will be required to work and live on the range more than 50% of the time