Ewes must be genetically able to cycle and conceive for early lambs. Not all ewes are capable of this. Ewes must give birth to and wean more than one lamb to have a positive financial return. There are simply too many feed, housing and labor inputs to spread out over just one lamb. If lambing occurs during winter, then adequate facilities need to be available.
Housing is, of course, a big consideration.
An area for ewes to drop lambs, lambing pen area, several mixing areas for ewes with young lambs and an area for ewes that are not close to lambing are all needed. Health programs for winter lambing ewes are critical. The fact that the sheep are in close proximity intensifies health problems. Mastitis, pneumonia and scours are big concerns in winter lambing systems. Late or Spring Lambing Late lambing has some definite advantages over winter lambing.