Natural Lambing - #Colostrum - supplemental tip

The first few hours of a lamb's life are the most critical. If the lamb does not nurse shortly after birth, it will weaken rapidly. The lamb should only receive assistance to nurse if it is necessary. Best results are obtained if the lamb is allowed to nurse naturally, without assistance.

Colostrum, the first milk produced by the ewe, is essential to the new born lamb. Colostrum contains high levels of antibodies that are necessary to combat infections. It is also rich in various vitamins and minerals.

Lambs must be provided colostrum within the first eight hours after birth for protection with the antibodies. In the event that natural colostrum cannot be obtained, a synthetic colostrum may be used.

Occasionally, very weak lambs also need supplemental colostrum. Colostrum must be available to provide energy, protein, minerals, vitamins, and essential antibodies that provide the lamb with vital resistance to disease.

Very weak lambs may be fed with a stomach tube. Weak lambs may also be revived with a subcutaneous injection of 25 to 50 ml of a 5% dextrose solution.

One popular supplemental colostrum formula consists of 24 ounces of cow's milk, 1 beaten egg, 1 teaspoon cod liver oil, and 1 heaping tablespoon of sugar. Feed this formula at the rate of 6 ounces per lamb, four times daily. This substitute colostrum is more valuable than no colostrum, but it does not contain the necessary antibodies.

Sheep - Selection tips for Increased Fertility

Select for Increased Fertility

•           Identify lambs that were born as twins or triplets and select replacement lambs from this group. #Twin lambs from young ewes have a greater potential for twinning than do twins from older ewes.

•          If additional replacements are required, select single ewe lambs from young ewes.

•           Select #rams that were twins or from ewes that had high twinning records. Scrotal circumference should be 28 cm for 12-month-old rams and 32 cm for mature rams.

•           Ewe lambs that exhibit estrus are typically more fertile and have a greater lifetime production of lambs than ewe lambs that do not reach puberty the first year. Selecting early maturing ewe lambs also emphasizes early season lambing, which might be advantageous in some management systems.

Lucerne powers lambing

Joining ewes on lucerne can stimulate more eggs to be released from the ovaries. 

According to research Merino ewes grazing on lucerne prior to ovulation to improve ovulation rates could play a big part in increasing conception rates. 

Ewes that were joined on the green pasture were in better condition and showed a greater percentage of twins results when scanned. 

Research showed 12% more lambs in the mob of ewes that grazed on lucerne during joining and 10% more twins. Ewes were in condition score two-three before joining. It just goes to show there are big gains to be made using lucerne not just for fattening prime lambs but also for the Merino.

In South Africa it is generally recommended that lucerne be planted in the autumn.    

Accelerated Lambing Systems

Accelerated Lambing Systems

Accelerated lambing is when ewes lamb more frequently than once a year. The purpose of accelerated lambing systems is to reduce fixed costs, produce a more uniform supply of lamb throughout the year, and increase profitability. There are several accelerated lambing systems.

Twice a year lambing

The most intensive form of accelerated lambing is twice a year lambing whereby a ewe would produce two lamb crops per year. Twice a year lambing has the potential to maximize lamb production, but may not be practical under most commercial situations.

Opportunistic Lambing

Opportunistic lambing is when rams are kept with the flock on a continuous basis. With the right kind of ewes, this will result in a lambing interval of less than 12 months. The problem with opportunistic lambing is you don't know when lambs are due, so the timing of vaccinations, deworming, and supplemental feeding are more difficult.

Three lamb crops in two years

The most common system of accelerated lambing is three lamb crops in two years, resulting in an average lambing interval of 8 months or 1.5 lambings per ewe per year. The 3/2 system is usually characterized by a fixed mating and lambing schedule, (pas aan by jou eie sisteem) such as May mating/October lambing, January mating/June lambing, and September mating/February lambing (or slight variations). Up to a 40 percent increase in production has been achieved with this type of accelerated lambing system.

If a ewe misses a breeding, she can still lamb three times in two years.

The STAR system is a natural system that does not use hormones or light control to achieve out-of-season breeding. It involves selecting sheep that breed during any season.

The economics of accelerated lambing must be carefully examined. The increased income from the sale of lambs needs to compensate for the added costs and labor inputs. In addition, accelerated lambing requires a much higher level of management.