Warming barrels ? For kidding season

suzyprichard13 said:

And what else should I get to be prepared ?

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I would strongly suggest 50% dextrose and several Save-A-Kid syringes with feeding tubes. It is invaluable for getting cold, "dummy" kids going on nursing. Dextrose is a simple sugar that is easily absorbed and provides 'brain food'. Mix 30 cc's of Dextrose with 30 cc's of very warm water and tube the kid, then warm them up. I prefer the bath tub, removable shower head, drain screen, and warm water to a blow dryer. They will be actively seeking a nipple within 15 to 30 minutes unless they were kidsicles - in that case it could take 45 minutes.

I have found that plain old large cat carriers with a towel draped over them, and another towel laid inside on the bottom trap and hold the babies heat and keep them amazingly warm. I generally only have to put the kids in the carrier once, and they will seek it out on their own. Mom - especially if she is a first timer - doesn't always like them, though, because she can't see her babies. Some of my does will try to call the kids out of the carrier, and some just lay down in front of it and stick their heads into the carrier.

If your kidding shed is a 3 sided shed, make sure you have a few 5' cattle/combo panels. You can bend them around and drape a heavy sheet/bedspread/tarp/blanket over the panel to block wind and snow. My kidding shed has 3 10' wide pens under it and I use the cattle panels regularly when I'm winter kidding.

Get a cheap backpack and put thermometer, towels, head snare, lamb puller, unwaxed dental floss, pair of scissors, and anything else you feel you will/may need in it. Take it with you EVERY TIME you go out to check your does, but don't leave it out side or the towels will be cold. It saves time going back for stuff, and those few minutes could be the difference between life and death for your kids if you have harsh winters or it gets really cold. I hope this helps.

PS One more thing - ALWAYS use a fresh towel for each kid, even if they belong to the same doe, but especially if they belong to different does. Re-using a towel for 2 different does who are kidding at the same time will confuse the 2nd mother and can lead to her rejecting her kid(s) because they smell off.