To maximise lamb survival and reduce mortality, particular emphasis should be placed on the following:
1. Body Condition of Ewes
Ensuring ewes have a Body Condition Score of 3 to 3.25 at lambing is critical. Good body condition from mating through to the first month of lactation affects embryonic mortality, lamb size, vigour, survival, subsequent weaning weights, and age at slaughter.
Ewes with a BCS less than 3 should be fed extra concentrates from mid to late pregnancy. Ewes with the correct BCS will have better quality colostrum supply and lambs will be more vigorous at birth.
2. Ewe Nutrition & Vitamin E
Adequate ewe nutrition during the last 6-8 weeks is essential to ensure appropriate lamb birth weights and optimum colostrum supply. Ewes underfed during pregnancy will have less colostrum, of poorer quality, and smaller, less viable lambs at birth.
Why Vitamin E matters:
- Builds more effective immune systems in ewes and lambs
- Ensures lambs are born with vigour
- Reduces scouring in lambs
- Reduces incidences of mastitis in ewes
- Increases ewe fertility
- Reduces incidences of white muscle disease in lambs
All Smyths Daleside Feeds ewe diets contain at least 150 iu/kg of Vitamin E.
3. Forage Quality
As with all classes of livestock, forage quality is of paramount importance. Where silage is being fed, aim for a DMD of 70+%. Contact any of our Sales Reps to have your silage tested – this will help determine feed levels required pre-lambing.
4. Pregnancy Scanning
The most cost-effective way to determine feed requirements during late pregnancy. Know what you’re feeding for.
5. General Health
Ensure all vaccinations are up to date, along with all parasitic and fluke doses (both rumen and liver). Combine with mineral/vitamin drenches to aid optimum performance and health in the pregnant ewe.
EWE FEEDING GUIDE
Concentrates required (kg/day) for Ewes at different lambing expectations and different forage quality
Feed Levels depend on Body Score Condition
Ewes with Doubles- Need to be fed twice per day- Triplets 3 times per day
Based on 75kg Ewe
| Concentrates required (Kg per day) | 8 Weeks | 6 Weeks | 4 Weeks | 2 Weeks | Lambing | 1st Month post Lambing |
| With Good Silage | ||||||
| Triplets | 0.25 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Doubles | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.75 | 0.8 | 0.8 | |
| Singles | 0 | 0.25 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | |
| With average Hay/Poor Silage | ||||||
| Triplets | 0.5 | 0.75 | 1 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Doubles | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1 | 1.25 | 1.25 | |
| Singles | 0.25 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.8 | |
| With Poor Hay/Good Straw | ||||||
| Triplets | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1 | 1.45 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Doubles | 0.25 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 1.25 | 1.25 |
| Singles | 0.35 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
Choose the Right Feed for Your Lambing Expectations
At Smyths Daleside Feeds we have an extensive range of ewe feeds which all contain Smyths Daleside Feeds unique mineral and vitamin packs ensuring that the Ewe gets a complete diet full of the necessary vitamins and trace minerals required prior to lambing.
Prime Ewe Nuts – For Ewes with lambing expectation of 100 to 150 lambs per 100 Ewes.
Combat Ewe & Lamb Nuts – For Ewes with lambing expectation of 125 to 175 lambs per 100 Ewes.
Ewe 18 Nuts – For Ewes with lambing expectation of 150 to 200 lambs per 100 Ewes.
Hi-Milk Ewe 19% with Protected Soya – For Ewes with lambing expectation of 200+ lambs per 100 Ewes.
Mainly fed to Pedigree flocks and very prolific cross bred flocks that need a high level of Soya for milk production.
- Ideal high energy and high soya diets
- Perfect where forage is low in protein and energy
- Designed for excellent quality colostrum and sustained milk yield
- Contains Smyths unique mineral and vitamin pack with extra Vitamin E
For Hill & Outdoor Flocks
Hill Flock Ewe Cobs with Added Glucose
- Large 11mm pellet ideal for ground feeding
- 18% protein, high in soya
- Added glucose for vital energy supply
- Perfect for ewes with singles, twins or triplets
- Contains unique mineral and vitamin packs for complete nutrition
For more information on our ewe feed range, or to place your order contact your local Smyths Daleside feed representative or call (0)74 917 1300