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As any seasoned shepherd knows, the key to a successful lambing season starts long before the first lamb is born. Ensuring your rams and ewes are in peak condition through proper nutrition and management during the pre-lamb and tupping periods is vital. Here is your comprehensive guide to navigating this crucial time, ensuring a healthy, productive flock.
Pre-Tupping Essentials for Ewes and Rams
Preparing ewes and rams for the tupping season is vital to ensure high fertility, successful conception rates, and a healthy lambing season. Both ewes and rams require specific care in terms of body condition, diet, health, and stress management to perform optimally during this critical period.
Ewe Preparation for Tupping
1. Body Condition Scoring (BCS)
The cornerstone of ewe preparation is achieving the ideal body condition. Ewes should have a BCS of
- Hill ewes: A target BCS of 2–2.5
- Highland ewes: A target BCS of 2.5–3.0
- Lowland ewes: A target BCS of 3.0–3.
Leading into the breeding season. A ewe that is too thin (BCS < 2.5) may struggle with fertility and conception, while one that is too fat could have reproductive performance issues as well. To optimise breeding outcomes, adjust feeding programs well in advance to correct any deficiencies or excesses in body condition.
2. Flushing for Fertility
Flushing refers to increasing the nutritional intake of ewes before and during the early part of the breeding season. This strategy boosts fertility by enhancing ovulation rates, leading to higher chances of multiple births. Providing high-quality pasture or supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids is particularly beneficial. Omega-3 fatty acids support ovulation and enhance immune function, helping ewes recover after lambing and preparing their reproductive systems for rebreeding. These Long Chain Fatty acids also play a crucial role in late pregnancy, aiding lamb brain and eye development and supporting ability to stand and suckle earlier which lead to increased survival and growth rate
3. Vital Minerals and Vitamins
The reproductive health of ewes depends on essential minerals such as selenium, iodine, and cobalt. These micronutrients are vital for maintaining fertility and overall health. Supplementing with vitamin E supplementation can further improve reproductive performance. Be sure to check your forage and feed for any potential deficiencies and provide supplements as necessary.
4. Health Checks
Vaccinating ewes against common diseases like clostridial diseases and treating against internal and external parasites are essential pre-tupping preparations. A healthy ewe will have a better chance of conceiving and carrying lambs to term. Regular foot care is equally important to ensure ewes remain mobile and free from lameness, which could hinder breeding success.
5. Stress Management
Minimising stress during the pre-tupping period is critical. High-stress levels can disrupt hormone balance and negatively affect fertility. Avoid extreme and abrupt changes in mamanagement changes or rough handling close to tupping, and ensure ewes are kept in a calm, stable environment. Gentle handling and a well-planned Management can significantly improve breeding success.
Ram Preparation for Tupping
1. Body Condition and Diet
Rams also need to be in peak physical condition for tupping. The ideal BCS for rams is 3.5-4 out of 5. Rams should be fit but not overweight, as excessive fat can reduce fertility. Ensure they receive a balanced diet rich in energy, protein, and minerals. Selenium and zinc are critical for optimal sperm production and reproductive health. Begin feeding them with proper rations well in advance to allow time for their body condition to improve. Feeding omega 3 long chain fatty acids will also help with Improved fertility and can improve sperm motility and conception rates in rams.
2. Health and Fitness
Conduct a breeding soundness examination (BSE) 6-8 weeks before tupping to identify potential fertility issues. This examination assesses sperm quality and ensures the ram is physically capable of mating. Vaccinations, parasite treatments, and foot care should also be performed to keep rams healthy and fit for the breeding season.
3. Stress and Social Dynamics
Rams are prone to stress, which can impair reproductive performance. Keep them in a calm and stable environment condition before tupping, and avoid abrupt changes in their routine or environment. Make sure that the social hierarchy among the rams is well-established before they are introduced to the ewes. Fighting or stress among rams can affect their ability to mate successfully, so ensure that social dynamics are sorted out in advance.
During Tupping: Maintain and Monitor your Ewes
Continue offering high-quality pasture and/or supplemental feeding during the tupping period to keep ewes in top reproductive condition. Consistency in feeding is vital to avoid digestive upsets and maintain energy levels, particularly during this crucial time.
Pay attention to the estrus (heat) signs, regularly monitor your flock, and observe for active mating behavior. Accurate record-keeping of breeding dates will help predict lambing times and ensure better management during lambing season.
Consider using supplements to help maintain optimum reproductive health. This ensures the ewes’ mineral requirements are met for successful conception and early pregnancy.
Tupping Period Management for Rams
During tupping, it’s critical to ensure rams have continued access to high-quality feed and
clean water. If pasture quality declines, supplement their diet with energy-boosting feed to
prevent fatigue. Well-nourished rams are more likely to maintain the energy needed for
sustained mating throughout the breeding season.
Watch for exhaustion or injuries. Closely monitor rams for signs of exhaustion or injury
during tupping. Overworked or injured rams can become less effective breeders, reducing
conception rates. Rotate rams if necessary, especially in large flocks, to prevent exhaustion and
ensure all ewes are covered during the breeding period.
Use marking harnesses on the rams to track which ewes have been mated. This lets you see
which ewes have been served and helps you track mating activity. If a ram becomes tired or
injured, you can easily identify which ewes still need to be bred and replace the ram promptly.
Pre-Lambing: Final Preparations for Ewes
As lambing approaches, focus should shift toward ensuring adequate nutrition to support
optimal fetal growth and getting ewes ready for lactation. Proper nutrition, health management,
and housing are key to ensuring a smooth lambing process.
1. Ewe Nutrition
In the final 4-6 weeks before lambing, switch to a diet that supports fetal growth and prepares
the ewe for lactation. Increase energy and protein intake by offering high-quality forages and
supplements such as UFAC Promega and Glycerene. This boost in nutrition is particularly
important for ewes carrying multiples, as they need extra energy to support fetal growth.
2. Minerals and Vitamins
Maintain appropriate levels of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, as these minerals are
crucial in late pregnancy to prevent metabolic disorders like hypocalcemia (milk fever). Ensure
ewes continue receiving vitamin E and selenium to prevent white muscle disease in lambs, a
condition that can affect muscle development and mobility.
3. Health Checks
Vaccinate ewes against clostridial diseases 4-6 weeks before lambing to boost immunity in both
the ewe and the newborn lambs. Perform final treatment against parasites treatments to reduce
the risk of infection in ewes and lambs, taking care to handle ewes with minimal stress during
handling.
4. Housing Preparations
Prepare clean, dry lambing areas with plenty of space to prevent overcrowding and reduce
stress during lambing. Well-prepared housing with good ventilation and bedding can
significantly reduce the risk of disease and help ewes remain calm and comfortable as they
approach labour.
5. Monitoring and Readiness
Regularly check on the condition of ewes, especially those carrying multiple lambs, as they may
require more intensive care and nutrition. Be vigilant for signs of impending labour, such as
nesting behaviour or a change in udder size. Have supplies ready for lambing assistance, such
as gloves, iodine for the lambs’ navels, and equipment for difficult births.
Careful management of ewes and rams throughout the pre-tupping, tupping, and pre-lambing
stages is critical for a successful lambing season. Paying close attention to nutrition, health
checks and stress management helps optimise fertility and ensures healthy pregnancies and births, and sets the foundation for a productive and profitable lambing season.
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