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Author Topic: Ewe loosing condition  (Read 2908 times)

Tippytoad

  • Joined Feb 2016
Ewe loosing condition
« on: March 06, 2016, 12:45:13 pm »
Hi all, I am new to this forum and new to the whole sheep and lambing world......I have had 2 sets of twins so far, 2 ewe lambs and 2 ram lambs (texel), I had a feel of both mums today and their BCS seems a little low :-(. They are receiving 1kg of mix per ewe per day split into am and pm feeds, they are out in the paddock all day and in a well ventilated animal shed at night with haylage.......what else should I be doing? They have both been wormed and vaccinated, no scouring just low BCS.
Any advice would be very much appreciated,
Many thanks

Bramblecot

  • Joined Jul 2008
Re: Ewe loosing condition
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2016, 10:46:29 am »
Welcome to TAS and congratulations on your first lambs :sheep: :love: :sheep: .  It sounds like they are getting plenty of TLC.  Just make sure you dip/spray the navels with iodine asap after birth. 
The ewes will be using all their energy to feed the lambs so maybe a high energy feed tub such as Lifeline Lamb and Ewe.  Even the little ones will start nibbling at it soon. 
You will be hooked now ;)

Womble

  • Joined Mar 2009
  • Stirlingshire, Central Scotland
Re: Ewe loosing condition
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2016, 11:18:20 am »
I had a feel of both mums today and their BCS seems a little low :-(.

How low Tippytoad?  (i.e. what can you feel?)
"All fungi are edible. Some fungi are only edible once." -Terry Pratchett

waterbuffalofarmer

  • Joined Apr 2014
  • Mid Wales
  • Owner of 61 Mediterranean water buffaloes
Re: Ewe loosing condition
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2016, 12:49:11 pm »
Hi and welcome to the forum :wave: Sorry I haven't got any advice atm I will have to think a bit. It all sounds rather exciting and I hope that everything goes well!
the most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, loving concern.

Hellybee

  • Joined Feb 2010
    • www.blaengwawrponies.co.uk
Re: Ewe loosing condition
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2016, 02:24:18 pm »
Hi ther, echo the others.  Also were they fluked? :wave:

Tippytoad

  • Joined Feb 2016
Re: Ewe loosing condition
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2016, 02:50:11 pm »
Thank you all for the very friendly welcome :-)
They have a high energy lick bucket, not sure about fluke as I brought them in lamb 2 months ago, I haven't flukes them, only panacur thus far. I can feel the lateral process of the spine along the lumber region. I was thinking about adding in sugar beet?
Thanks again

Marches Farmer

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Herefordshire
Re: Ewe loosing condition
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2016, 03:14:02 pm »
Did you buy them from someone you know and whom you could ask about past flukicide treatment?   The lambs will soon start to nibble creep feed and hay and take some of the load off the ewes.  I aim for ewes to go into lambing at around BCS 3.5 and I would expect twin-bearers to lose up to 1 BCS over lactation but put it back through good summer grazing.  I supplement feed for up to six weeks after lambing, depending on how well the grass is growing.

fsmnutter

  • Joined Oct 2012
  • Fettercairn, Aberdeenshire
Re: Ewe loosing condition
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2016, 04:06:19 pm »
I would suggest taking poo samples to your vet. There is a lot of resistance to panacur around, so you may find they need worming with a different class, and if going to the vet anyway, you could get them to send it away to check for fluke eggs while you are at it to know exactly what is going on.
Perhaps a friendly local sheep farmer, or your vet could give you an idea of what condition score they are, as anything from BCS 1-4 you will be able to feel the lateral processes, the difference is how much fat is covering them. Knowing exactly what they are at will tell you whether there is a problem.
If you Google body condition scoring in sheep, you should get plenty guides with pictures and descriptions of what you should feel, but nothing beats a hands on demonstration from someone experienced.

landroverroy

  • Joined Oct 2010
Re: Ewe loosing condition
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2016, 10:29:25 pm »
 Unless they are emaciated, I wouldn't think you need  to worry too much. A ewe should lose condition after producing twins if she is doing them well, and from what you've said, they sound like they are getting enough food.
 By emaciated I mean that the animal feels virtually skeletal with hardly any flesh covering at all.
Rules are made:
  for the guidance of wise men
  and the obedience of fools.

 

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