Lambing Time: Everything you need to know before you head out walking

A Sure Sign Spring Has Arrived

As you head out into the countryside in spring, there’s one thing that really tells you the seasons are changing…

Lambs.

Tiny, wobbly legs. Ewes calling across the fields. That unmistakable feeling that winter is finally behind us.

But if you’ve ever walked in different parts of the country, you might have noticed something curious…

Some fields are full of lambs in March
- Others don’t seem to start until April… or even later

So what’s going on?

Why Do Some Farms Lamb Earlier Than Others?

It all comes down to one simple thing:

Grass.

When a ewe gives birth, she immediately needs a huge amount of energy to produce milk for her lambs.

And the most natural, efficient and cost-effective way to do that?

Fresh spring grass

The ewe eats the grass… and converts it into milk.

So timing lambing is all about matching it to when the grass starts growing.

Location Matters More Than You Think

Here’s where it gets interesting.

Grass doesn’t start growing at the same time across the UK.

- In southern England, it warms up earlier

- On lowland farms, grass grows sooner

- In the north and uplands, it takes longer

So farmers plan lambing accordingly.

A good rough guide is:

- Southern England → Lambing often starts around 25th March

- Northumberland (lowland farms) → Around 1st April

- Hill farms (upland areas) → Often a month later

It’s all about working with nature, not against it.

A Brilliant Way to Remember It

There’s a lovely old rule of thumb farmers use:

- If the tup (ram) goes out on Bonfire Night (5th November)… lambing will start around April Fool’s Day (1st April).

It’s simple, memorable, and surprisingly accurate.

That gap lines up almost perfectly with the ewe’s gestation period.

Why Timing Really Matters

Lambing isn’t just about nature. There’s a business side too.

Farmers aim to produce lambs at the best possible time for market.

Here’s why:

- Early lambs (spring) → reach market first → higher prices

- Later lambs (autumn) → market is full → prices drop

So lower farms, where grass grows earlier, have a real advantage.

They can:

- Lamb earlier 

- Grow lambs faster 

- Sell at a premium 

Life on the Hill Is Different

Hill farming plays by a different set of rules.

Up in the hills:

- Grass grows later 

- Weather is harsher 

- Conditions are more exposed 

So lambing happens later too, often a month behind lowland farms.

You’ll also notice:

- More single lambs

- Fewer twins 

That’s because the environment is tougher, and ewes can realistically rear fewer lambs.

What Does “Lambing Percentage” Mean?

You might hear farmers talk about “lambing percentage”.

It sounds technical, but it’s actually quite simple.

- It’s the number of lambs reared per ewe.

For example:

- 150% lambing = average of 1.5 lambs per ewe

In real terms, that usually means:

- About half the ewes have single lambs

- About half have twins

On lowland farms:

- More twins (higher percentages)

On hill farms:

-       More singles (lower percentages)

Again, it all comes back to available food and conditions.

Following the Lambing Season North

There’s another interesting side to all this.

Because lambing happens at different times across the country, seasonal workers often follow it.

They might:

-  Start in Southern England

- Move north a few weeks later

- Then head into the hills of Northern England or Scotland

It’s a bit like a rolling wave of lambing moving up the country.

Walking During Lambing Season – What You Need to Know

Lambing time is one of the best times to be out walking.

But it’s also one of the most sensitive periods on a farm.

A bit of awareness makes all the difference.

Keep Dogs Under Strict Control

This is the big one.

Even the friendliest dog can cause serious problems around sheep.

Ewes with young lambs are:

- Protective

- Easily stressed

And a dog doesn’t need to attack to cause harm.

- A chase can separate lambs from their mothers

- Stress can lead to injury or ewes aborting their lambs

- In worst cases, sheep can die

Always keep your dog on a lead around livestock

And if something does happen:
Let the dog go and move away calmly

Stick to Footpaths

Fields during lambing are effectively nurseries.

So where possible:

- Stick to marked footpaths

- Avoid walking straight through groups of sheep

- Give them space

If you do cross a field:

- Walk steadily

- Don’t rush

- Don’t panic 

Never Pick Up a Lamb

It’s tempting. Everyone thinks it.

“If that lamb’s on its own, it must need help…”

In most cases:
- The ewe is nearby, watching

If you pick up a lamb:

- You can transfer scent

- The ewe may reject it

Best advice:

Look, enjoy… but don’t interfere.

Respect Farmers at Work

Lambing is full-on.

Farmers are:

- Checking fields at all hours

- Dealing with difficult births

- Working long, often sleepless days

You might see:

- Vehicles moving between fields

- Temporary fencing and pens

- Farmers who look a bit preoccupied

A bit of patience goes a long way.

Close Gates and Leave No Trace

Simple, but important:

- Leave gates as you find them

- Take litter home

- Respect walls and fences

An open gate during lambing can cause real problems.

A Final Thought

Lambing time is one of the most special times in the countryside.

It’s new life, fresh air, longer days, and a real sense that things are starting again.

But behind the scenes, it’s also:

- Hard work

- Careful timing

- And a lot of responsibility

If walkers understand just a little bit more about what’s going on…

The countryside works better for everyone

And your walk becomes that bit more meaningful too.