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Body condition of ewes is crucial for a successful lambing, work carried out in 2003 by the MLC, shows just how big a difference body condition, at tupping, has to the number of lambs born. It is crucial to income that there is the optimum number of lambs at weaning. Effect of ewe condition at tupping (MLC 2003)
| Type of sheep |
Body condition score at tupping |
| |
1.0 |
1.5 |
2.0 |
2.5 |
3.0 |
3.5 |
4.0 |
| Number of lambs per 00 ewes |
| Scottish Blackface |
|
79 |
|
|
162 |
|
|
| Mule |
|
|
147 |
166 |
178 |
194 |
192 |
| Scottish Halfbred |
|
|
148 |
170 |
183 |
217 |
202 |
It takes 6-8 weeks for ewes to gain each condition score so an early start on good grazing is important, with gimmers requiring particular attention. Ewes thrive on grass with a sward height of 5-6cm. However once grass length exceeds 7 cm quality suffers and ewes do not do so well. ECV Ewe Lamber 16% can be fed to ensure they achieve condition. Feed buckets like SUPAlyx Energy Booster or Rumevite Sheep Super Energy Block can be used instead of compounds.
Attention to body condition throughout pregnancy ensures that lambs are carried to term and the ewes secrete plenty colostrum and milk for lamb health, vigour and DLWG. Because body condition can change rapidly there is no substitute for checking the sheep on a regular basis.
| Target body condition scores |
| |
Hill ewes |
Upland ewes |
Lowland ewes |
| At weaning |
2 |
2 |
2.5 |
| At tupping |
2.5 |
3 |
3.5 |
| Mid-pregnancy |
2.5 |
2.5 |
3 |
| At lambing |
2 |
2.5 |
3 |
During pregnancy it is better to maintain condition than try to put on a lot of weight in the run-up to lambing. Introducing a little feeding early is a better option than heavy feeding rates in late pregnancy. Flat rate feeding systems, with the emphasis on maintaining constant ewe condition, are a viable solution.
Whatever you do, monitor ewe body condition regularly and ensure ewes are hitting the right score for maximising number of lambs born and minimising problems at lambing time.
Douglas Dawson, East Coast Viners
Posted on Friday, October 2nd, 2009 at 12:57 pm.
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