Author Topic: Preparation of ewes for lambing (Read 2469 times)

suziequeue · « **on:** March 12, 2012, 09:47:28 am »

Our ewes are due to lamb in mid-April. I am planning to get them in at the end of March for heptavac and foot trim.

Should I be giving them a vitamin drench and changing their lick then too?

Rosemary · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2012, 11:36:25 am »

You need to give Heptavac at least 4 weeks before lambing to ensure that the lamb get maximum passive immunity.

I don't drench mine - they have a mineral lick (Yellow Rockie) and a Crystalyx Standard bucket out plus they get a bit of cake from 6 weeks prior to lambing.

I do their feet, work and fluke them after lambing and just before I put them out on to clean grazing with their new lambs. I wouldn't turn heavily pregnant ewes to do their feet routinely. If one was lame, I'd check her feet in a standing position, like a horse.

VSS · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2012, 03:16:34 pm »

Definately leave the feet 'till they have lambed. It won't do then any good to turn them over when they are only a couple of weeks off. Leave whatever you can to do post lambing. They don't need to be stressed right now.

jaykay · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2012, 07:06:14 pm »

Ditto all of that, handle as little as possible.

Mine have been having cake now for a few weeks and my Rough Fells would have had a lick by now too, the Shetlands haven't.

I do their feet when they've lambed if they need it - I did them when I gathered them to scan, and I worm and fluke them before I turn them out with their lambs.