‘It is important ewes do not a male for at least four weeks
PRIOR to mating, the ewes should be examined physically and should be culled if any signs of ill-health are evident. Particular attention should be paid to certain areas such as the udder — large teats often pose a problem when getting lambs to suckle. In addition, the production of milk at the previous lambing, if low, may be a deciding factor at the time of culling.
The reproductive history of the ewe may determine whether or not the ewe will remain in the flock. A prolapsed uterus during a previous lambing and/or lambing difficulties may suggest further difficulties.
The body condition score of the ewe should reach 3-3.5 at the time of mating to ensure an increase in litter size. Grass supply and quality should at least maintain ewe body condition during mating and for the next month while the embryos become attached to the uterus. Ewes that fail to gain condition despite being on good grass after eight to 10 weeks should be culled — they are unlikely to breed successfully and rear their lambs.
The nutritional management of the ewe prior to mating, commonly known as ‘flushing’ occurs in two stages: bare pasture at a high stocking rate of about 15 ewes per acre. This reduces the occurrence of over-fat ewes which can lead to fertility problems. In addition, milk production will cease with the lack of food. release of male hormones by the ram can bring on the reproductive cycle of the ewe if they are close to the onset of their natural reproductive cycle. This phenomenon, known as the ‘ram effect’ allows the farmer to synchronise breeding without the need for sponges, thus saving on expenses. It should be noted however that the ‘ram effect’ is not always effective for example if the ewes are already cycling. The fertile rams can then be introduced to the ewes approximately 14 days after the introduction of the teaser ram and breeding can begin.
Healthy mature ewes do not require a worm dose pre-mating. All parasite control programmes (dipping, etc) should be completed before mating is due to begin to avoid any undue stress to the animal.