Preparing Your Flock: Essential Supplies for a Successful Sheep Breeding Season

highfieldgrassfarm
Dec 7
2 min read

Breeding season is one of the most critical times on any sheep farm. It sets the schedule for the the next eight to ten months. Whether you’re a seasoned producer or preparing for your first lambing, having the right supplies on hand before the rams go in with the ewes can save you stress, money, and potentially lives. Here’s a comprehensive checklist of everything you should gather well ahead of time.

1. Breeding & Identification Supplies

Marking harnesses and crayons (or raddle powder) – Essential for knowing which ewes have been bred and when. Stock multiple colors so you can change every 14–17 days to track cycles.
Spare crayons and harness straps – They break or get lost more often than you think.
Breeding record book or spreadsheet – Track ram exposure dates, marking changes, expected lambing dates, and ewe IDs.
Spray markers or livestock paint – Quick visual identification in the pen.

2. Health & Nutrition Supplies

High-quality mineral supplement formulated for breeding ewes (especially selenium and vitamin E in deficient areas).
Protein tubs or blocks for late gestation and early lactation.
Flushing feed (usually extra grain or high-quality pasture) to increase ovulation rates 2–3 weeks before and during early breeding.
Dewormer and fecal testing kits – Some producers strategically deworm before breeding to improve conception rates.
Check your medical kit to make sure you are well supplied with your commonly used items, with all the activity there is always a chance of injury.
Body condition scoring guide – You want ewes at 3–3.5 (on a 1–5 scale) going into breeding.

3. Ram Prep Supplies

Breeding soundness exam kit (or schedule a vet visit): scrotal tape, electroejaculator if you do your own semen testing.
Extra marking harness sized for rams.
Ram conditioning feed – Rams need to be in rising plane of nutrition too.
Hoof trimmers and antiseptic spray – Foot issues can kill libido fast.

4. Facilities & Handling Supplies

Extra gates and panels for sorting and catching.
Fresh bedding.
Clean water buckets or automatic waterers checked and working.
Flashlights/headlamps with fresh batteries.

Final Tip: Do a “Dry Run”

A month before breeding starts, walk through your barn with this list. If you have to leave the barn to find something, add two of it to your shopping list.

Getting organized early turns what can be a chaotic season into a smooth, profitable one.

Lambing season will be here before you know it—stock up now, sleep better later, and enjoy watching those healthy lambs hit the ground in a few months.

Happy breeding! 🐑