For flocks lambing in March, the next few weeks are going to be critical in terms of getting the nutrition side of things right in order to avoid animal health issues.
Underfeeding ewes in late pregnancy can lead to significant problems such as light or weak lambs at birth, higher ewe and lamb mortality, thin ewes and a lack of colostrum.
One issue associated with underfeeding ewes is twin lamb disease which can have a serious knock-on effect on the ewe herself and her offspring.
This metabolic disease – which is caused by inadequate feeding in late pregnancy – is associated with ewes that are carrying multiple lambs.
It occurs predominately in the period right before lambing when the lambs are growing at their most rapid levels in the uterus. The stress associated with housing can also trigger the disease.
According to Teagasc, the response to treatment is usually poor and mortality can be as high as 90%. Therefore, prevention is critically important.
Symptoms
Ewes that are thin or who have a poor appetite and aren’t eating are most at risk of contracting twin lamb disease, especially if they are carrying more than one lamb.
Pregnancy toxaemia occurs when a ewe’s energy requirements are not met; she begins to mobilise fat reserves. This leads to the production of ketones, which impair the ewe’s normal bodily functions.
A ewe suffering from twin lamb disease will:
- Isolate herself from the rest of the flock;
- Look dull;
- Have no appetite;
- Appear blind and lie down for long periods.
If the condition is untreated, it results in death.
Prevention
To combat against this and to ensure that ewes are in good health coming into lambing, it is important to carry out the following listed (below).
- Introduce concentrates six-to-eight weeks pre-lambing (depending on litter size) and increase the level of feeding gradually based on forage quality;
- House sheep three-to-four weeks in advance of lambing to avoid sudden dietary changes;
- Ensure ewes have adequate feeding space – especially when it comes to feeding concentrates;
- If you spot any thin ewes, then they should be given preferential treatment to bring them up to an ideal body condition score (BCS) of at least 3.0 at lambing time.