Rob Zelinsky, M.S., Hubbard Feeds Companion Animal Team
(Previously published online: Hubbard Sheep Solutions)
(Image Source: The Fence Post)
Ultrasound Pregnancy Diagnosis
Advantages:
- Sell open ewes during inflated cull ewe markets
- Economical feeding (less over and under feeding)
- Identify ewes with multiple births and feed accordingly
Disadvantages:
- Cost
- Extra ewe handling during pregnancy
Shearing
Advantages:
- Lambs find the teats more quickly
- Ewes udder stays cleaner
- Existing barns house more shorn ewes than full fleeced ewes
- Dryer barn
- Less bedding required
- In cold seasons, ewes will lamb in the barn
- Ewes are more agile
- Monitor condition/udder development of ewes more easily
Disadvantages:
- Cold stress
- Ewes can eat 10-20% more feed in extreme cold weather
Body Condition Score
Assign a number 1-5 based on the amount of condition
- 1 = Emaciated
- 3 = Average Body Condition
- 5 = Obese
Desired Body Condition Levels:
- Summer: 2.5 to 3
- Late Gestation: 3.5 to 4.0
- Lactation maintain: 3
Handle ewes along their spine and across their loin edge to determine a condition score.
Don’t make evaluations based on covering over the ribs.
Sort ewes and feed accordingly for a uniform body condition at parturition by:
- Age
- Parity (first-time lambers vs. mature ewes)
- Body condition score
- Stage of gestation
- Number of lambs based on ultrasound
- Goal of body condition score of 3.5 to 4.0 at lambing
Make use of a feed scale:
- Minimizes acidosis/overeating
- Sheep will stay on feed and allow producers to safely reach desired outcome at lambing