Do ewes and lambs need to be moved to a lambing pen?
In Michigan, with lambing time in April or later, housing Icelandic ewes is not needed. Indeed housing your expecting ewes may be problematic — no exercise and sickness. Other breeds of sheep or lambing at other times requires more effort on the shepherds part as well as an increased investment in housing ewes. Many shepherds, including myself, think ewes need the exercise. An overly conditioned (too fat) mom may produce a too large lamb. This may lead to birthing problems. There is evidence, anecdotal evidence at least, that sheep cooped up in a barn are more prone to illness. I do not house my ewes so I have not experienced this. After the ewe lambs, I may move mom and lamb to a pen inside the barn if it was a difficult birth. It somewhat depends on the situation whether or not I want to keep a close on eye on them. If they are moved to the barn, they are there for just a day or two.
