Care for breeding and lambing

Flushing

Moves ewes from a low plane of nutrition to a high plane of nutrition(good grass) 3 weeks before mating

This is continued 3 weeks after mating

BCS before flushing

2-2.5

BCS after flushing

3.5

Reason for flushing

More eggs released, increase conception. Bigger litter size (aim for 2)

BCS of rams before mating

3.5-4

The raddle

Ram wears a harness called a raddle that contains colour marker on his chest

so farmers can indicate date of mating which estimates the date of lambing

Shows if an ewe has fertility issues or has been mated with

Change every 17 days of the oestrus period

After mating diet

Ewes can return to maintenance BCS diet and can drop to 3.0

Scanning

Occurs 80 days after ram was introduced to ewe

Identified pregnant ewes

Shows number of lambs expected

Identifies barren ewes (infertile)

Steaming up

Move ewes to high plane of nutrition before birth

Prevents twin lambs disease

Reduce mortality at birth

Colostrum

Iodine on the navel

Supervise lamb and monitor

BCS 3.5/4

Well ventilated area but draught free

If outdoors provide the shelter of a ditch