9 Supplies for Assembling a Lambing and Kidding Kit

When the winter chill begins to break, small-scale livestock keepers know that the most rewarding, yet stressful, season of the year is just around the corner. Lambing and kidding can go from peaceful to chaotic in a matter of seconds, leaving no time to rummage through messy barn shelves for critical supplies. Having a fully stocked, specialized emergency kit ready before the first contraction hits is the single best way to ensure the survival of both dams and their newborns.

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Preparing Your Barn for Lambing and Kidding

Preparation begins weeks before the first due date by transforming a drafty barn into a safe, sterile nursery. Setting up dedicated jugs or kidding pens—ideally measuring at least five by five feet—allows new mothers to bond quietly with their offspring without interference from the rest of the herd. These pens must be cleaned, disinfected, and bedded with a thick layer of dry straw rather than wood shavings, which can stick to wet newborns and clog their airways.

Draft prevention is critical during the first 48 hours of life when newborns cannot regulate their body temperature. Hang heavy tarps or install temporary plywood windbreaks around the kidding pens to block low-level drafts while still maintaining adequate overhead ventilation to prevent ammonia buildup. Ensure all electrical outlets are out of reach of curious dams if heat lamps must be used, though deep straw bedding is always the safer primary option.

Navel Dip – Ideal Instruments 7% Iodine

A newborn’s wet, severed umbilical cord is an open highway for bacteria to enter the bloodstream, potentially causing joint ill or fatal septicemia. Dipping the navel immediately after birth dries out the tissue rapidly and seals the opening against environmental pathogens. This simple preventative step is non-negotiable for every single lamb and kid born on the farm.

Ideal Instruments 7% Iodine remains the gold standard for this task because its high alcohol content accelerates the drying process far faster than weaker cosmetic or veterinary alternatives. The thick, dark solution clings well to the cord, providing visual confirmation that the entire area has been thoroughly coated.

• Concentration: 7% active iodine
• Container size: 1-pint bottle
• Primary function: Rapid desiccation and sanitization of umbilical cords

When using this strong chemical, always pour a small amount into a disposable cup for dipping rather than inserting the navel directly into the main bottle, which contaminates the entire batch. This product is essential for any keeper raising small ruminants, though those in states with tight restrictions on strong iodine may need to seek out chlorhexidine alternatives.

Stomach Tube – Jorgensen Lamb and Kid Feeder

When a weak newborn lacks the strength to nurse, hypothermia and hypoglycemia can set in within hours. Tubing—delivering warm colostrum directly into the stomach—is a lifesaving skill that bypasses the swallowing reflex of a lethargic animal. It is a critical intervention tool that prevents starvation when bottle-feeding is not an option.

The Jorgensen Lamb and Kid Feeder is specifically designed for small ruminants, featuring a flexible, medical-grade tube that minimizes the risk of esophageal trauma. The attached graduated bottle allows for precise measurement of colostrum intake, while the smooth, rounded tip of the tube slides easily down the throat without catching.

• Tube length: 16 inches
• Bottle capacity: 60 cc / 2 ounces
• Material: Soft, latex-free plastic

Before inserting the tube, always measure it against the animal’s side from the mouth to the last rib to mark the correct depth. This tool is indispensable for any keeper facing cold-weather births, though it does require a brief learning curve to ensure the tube enters the esophagus rather than the windpipe.

OB Lubricant – J-Lube OB Lubricant Powder

Assisting with a difficult delivery or correcting a malpresented fetus requires reducing friction to protect the delicate vaginal wall of the dam. Without proper lubrication, manual intervention can cause severe tearing, swelling, and subsequent infection. A high-quality obstetrical lubricant ensures smooth entry and exit during emergency extractions.

J-Lube OB Lubricant Powder is the premier choice for small-scale farmers because of its incredible slickness and cost-effectiveness. Unlike pre-mixed gels that run out quickly, this concentrated powder mixes instantly with warm water to create a highly viscous, slippery lubricant that outlasts standard water-based options.

• Form: Concentrated powder
• Yield: One 10-ounce bottle makes up to 6–8 gallons of lube
• Cleanup: Easily dissolves with table salt and water

Because a tiny amount of powder goes an incredibly long way, it is best to mix small batches in a clean squeeze bottle just prior to use. This product is ideal for keepers who want a long shelf-life solution, but it must be kept strictly dry until needed, as humidity will ruin the powder.

Disposable Towels – Brawny Industrial Wipes

Newborns arrive soaked in amniotic fluid, and getting them dry quickly is paramount to preventing hypothermia, especially in unheated barns. While dams do their best to lick them clean, multiple births or exhausted mothers often require human assistance to finish the job. Having a stack of heavy-duty, clean towels ready prevents the chilling effects of evaporating moisture.

Brawny Industrial Wipes offer the perfect balance of absorbency and durability, holding up under vigorous scrubbing without shredding like standard household paper towels. They are sterile out of the box, reducing the risk of introducing pathogens to the newborn’s sensitive eyes, nose, and open navel.

• Material: Hydroentangled spunlace fibers
• Sheet size: 9 x 12 inches
• Package type: Portable pop-up box

These wipes are highly recommended for keepers who want to avoid the endless laundry cycle of cloth towels, which can harbor bacteria between uses. However, for extremely large litters, they should be paired with a few cheap terry cloth towels for the initial heavy moisture removal before finishing with these sanitary wipes.

Mucus Aspirator – Briggs Baby Nasal Syringe

A newborn lamb or kid often takes its first breath while its nasal passages and mouth are still clogged with thick amniotic fluid. Clearing these airways instantly is vital to prevent aspiration pneumonia or suffocation. A manual suction device is the safest and fastest way to clear these blockages before the animal takes its first gasp.

The Briggs Baby Nasal Syringe is highly favored for its medical-grade, seamless bulb construction that provides consistent, controllable suction. The tapered tip is small enough to fit comfortably inside tiny lamb and kid nostrils without causing tissue damage, yet wide enough to draw out thick mucus efficiently.

• Capacity: 2 ounces
• Material: Heavy-duty, latex-free rubber
• Design: Seamless bulb to prevent bacterial buildup

To use it effectively, compress the bulb fully before inserting the tip into the nostril, then release the pressure slowly to draw out the fluid. This simple, low-cost tool belongs in every kidding kit, but it must be washed thoroughly with hot soapy water and air-dried completely after every use to prevent mold growth inside the bulb.

Thermometer – iProven Veterinary Thermometer

A newborn’s temperature is the most critical indicator of its overall health and survival chances. A cold lamb or kid cannot digest milk; feeding a hypothermic animal will cause the milk to ferment in its stomach, leading to a quick death. Knowing the exact rectal temperature determines whether you need to warm the animal first or feed it immediately.

The iProven Veterinary Thermometer is engineered specifically for animal use, featuring a highly accurate, rapid-read sensor that delivers results in under 20 seconds. Its flexible tip prevents injury during insertion into a struggling newborn, while the waterproof casing allows for easy sanitization between uses.

• Read time: 10 to 20 seconds
• Tip type: Flexible, soft-comfort probe
• Display: Large, backlit LCD screen

Keepers must remember to lubricate the tip with a small dab of OB lube before insertion and insert it at least one inch for an accurate rectal reading. This digital unit is perfect for those who need fast, reliable data under stressful conditions, though users should always keep spare button batteries in their kit.

Hanging Scale – Little Giant Dial Scale

Tracking birth weights is not just about record-keeping; it is a vital diagnostic tool for monitoring growth rates and identifying failing newborns early. A lamb or kid that fails to gain weight within the first 48 hours requires immediate nutritional intervention. Accurate weights also ensure correct dosing of medications and supplements as they grow.

The Little Giant Dial Scale provides a rugged, mechanical solution that does not rely on batteries, which frequently fail in freezing barn temperatures. The large, high-contrast dial is easy to read in dim light, and the heavy-duty steel hooks easily accommodate a weighing sling or a simple canvas grocery bag.

• Weight capacity: Up to 50 pounds
• Increments: 1-pound markings with 1-ounce precision
• Construction: Heavy-duty steel housing and hooks

Before placing the animal in the sling, use the tare adjustment knob to zero out the weight of the sling itself for an accurate reading. This mechanical scale is perfect for small-scale farmers who need a durable, set-and-forget tool, though those requiring high-precision decimal weights may prefer a digital scale kept in a climate-controlled area.

Antiseptic Soap – Hibiclens Skin Cleanser

Before assisting with any delivery, the handler’s hands and arms must be thoroughly sanitized to avoid introducing harmful bacteria into the dam’s reproductive tract. Standard hand soaps do not offer the residual antimicrobial action needed for invasive veterinary procedures. A medical-grade antiseptic soap is crucial for maintaining a sterile environment.

Hibiclens Skin Cleanser utilizes chlorhexidine gluconate to kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses on contact, binding to the skin to provide up to 24 hours of continuous protection. Unlike harsh iodine scrubs, it is gentle on the skin and will not cause cracking or dryness even with frequent winter use.

• Active ingredient: 4% Chlorhexidine Gluconate
• Action: Immediate kill with residual antimicrobial activity
• Form: Liquid skin cleanser

For maximum effectiveness, wash hands and forearms for at least two full minutes before rinsing with warm water. This cleanser is a must-have for any keeper who anticipates having to manually assist with deliveries, though it should be kept away from the eyes and ears of both humans and livestock.

Colostrum Powder – Manna Pro Colostrum

Colostrum is the first milk produced by the dam, packed with essential antibodies, proteins, and fats that build the newborn’s immune system. If a dam produces insufficient colostrum, rejects her offspring, or dies during birth, a high-quality replacement must be administered within the first eighteen hours of life. Without this immediate source of passive immunity, newborns rarely survive.

Manna Pro Colostrum powder is formulated specifically to provide immediate nutritional support and critical globulin proteins to newborn lambs and kids. It mixes smoothly with warm water without clumping, ensuring that weak animals can easily digest the formula through a bottle or stomach tube.

• Target species: Lambs, kids, and other small livestock
• Nutrient profile: High fat, protein, and essential vitamins
• Form: Easy-mix dry powder

Always mix this powder with warm—never boiling—water, as extreme heat will destroy the delicate antibodies required for immune system development. This supplement is an essential insurance policy for every kidding kit, but keepers should remember that natural, frozen colostrum from their own herd is always the preferred first choice if available.

How to Organize Your Emergency Kidding Kit

When an emergency strikes at 2:00 AM, searching through loose drawers for a thermometer or tube feeder can cost a newborn its life. The entire kit should be housed in a sturdy, waterproof plastic toolbox with a latching lid to keep out dust, moisture, and barn pests. Utilize interior trays or clear plastic ziplock bags to group items by function, such as "Delivery Assistance," "Newborn Care," and "Emergency Feeding."

Keep a laminated checklist of contents taped to the inside lid, along with your veterinarian’s emergency contact number and a basic gestation chart. At the end of every season, discard expired products, restock used items, and sanitize all tools before storing the box in a temperature-controlled area. This ensures that when the next season arrives, the kit is clean, complete, and ready to be grabbed at a moment’s notice.

Post-Natal Care Tips for Ewes and Does

Once the offspring are clean and dry, the focus must shift back to the recovery of the dam. Monitor the ewe or doe closely to ensure she passes the placenta within six to twelve hours; a retained placenta can quickly lead to systemic infection. Offer her a bucket of warm water laced with molasses immediately after birth to restore her energy, hydrate her, and encourage milk letdown.

Check her udder to ensure both teats are functional, free of mastitis, and that the waxy plugs have been cleared so the newborns can nurse easily. Keep her in a clean, dry pen with her offspring for at least 48 to 72 hours to monitor her appetite, vaginal discharge, and maternal bonding behavior. This close observation period is the key to catching post-birth complications before they become life-threatening.

With a well-stocked kit and a prepared barn, you can face the lambing and kidding season with confidence rather than dread. Investing in these reliable tools ensures you are ready for any midnight emergency that comes your way. Your livestock depend on your readiness, and having these supplies on hand is the best way to guarantee a successful lambing season.