[Hillview Farm]

If I am sponging my ewes and using PMSG  do I need to flush?

This year I've got some shearlings and ewe lambs I'd like to sponge. I was planning to turn one of my ram lambs Into a teaser to 'break them in' but when I was reading the sponge packaging it says ewes should not be within sight or smell of rams. So does that mean I can't use a teaser?

Sorry for potential stupid questions

[Anke]

My white girls were a field (only normal mesh fence) with a boy either side while sponged. No problems during that time, and when he came into the field all 6 were tupped within a few (v busy  ) hours. All lambed within a couple of days of each other. Same for the coloured ewes too, although they were further away.

My goats will also be sponged while the boy lives within smelling distance. He will get very excited when the sponges are removed, but sadly (for him) the girls will go for lap AI off-site.

[mebnandtrn]

Last year we didn't flush but did use sponging and PMSG. Only a 50% success rate achieved. According to our shearer (and he seemed to know what he was on about) that was because they were not flushed. He said if they are in too good condition for too long they get lazy and don't actually ovulate, despite getting very excited about being tupped etc! No idea if this is correct, we hope so because that might mean better than 50% success.

[Me]

Have a read up on sponging etc. The numbers conceived is variable and difficult to predict based on many factors including but not restricted to bcs, whether that is rising or falling, time of year, breed of sheep, dose of PMSG, age of ewe and many more. You can give the same dose to the same ewe two years running and have different results. You judge how much to give/guess and hope for twins! It really isn't possible to give accurate advice on your flock without seeing them and their situation.... you may get a good few trips

Teasers are an integral part of many AI programmes that include sponges and PMSG

[Anke]

I don't flush anymore, the Shetlands don't seem to need it. They have their lambs with them until Mr Tup comes in, so no weaning either. Works best for all of us.

Your 50% success rate may well be due to a sub-fertile male or too many females for him to tup within a very short time.