Its a multi-factorial problem with several known risk factors (and some that are probably still not known). Genetic factors, diet, condition, slope of land, litter size etc all contribute.
On a practical level there are things you can or are willing to change and things you cannot/are not. We had five sheep prolapse last year, all were Pedigree Lleyn, four were from one breeder bought together that autumn (in a group of five, the fifth did not prolapse). One was also bought in but had been with me a while.
The ewes were carrying a little more condition than my flock average due to feeding for sale, were fed round bale silage (not ideal), all were carrying two-three.
So, this year all five have been culled as has the non-prolapsing relative of the four who did (so six culled). No lambs out of them were kept. The ewes are in generally good condition due to the soft year though none are over fat vs last year, they are/will be fed less than normal concentrate in late gestation. Once again we are feeding round bale silage and cannot change this... I suspect despite my imperfect management we will see much less vaginal prolapse this year. Time will tell!
