Posted by Dr. Sara Hooge on June 22 2009 14:03
It’s time to prepare for breeding season again. A complete herd management program and a good health program that includes vaccinations and deworming can lead to the best reproductive performance in your sheep.
Rams should not be overlooked. The rams by this time should have a good body condition score for breeding. A nutrient supplement should be added 7 weeks prior to breeding, because it takes seven weeks for sperm production to occur. Condition is important because rams that are over-conditioned have decreased fertility in the heat and are less able to physically breed. Also, avoid stressful procedures during this time, to assist in sperm production.
Rams should be shorn and have their hooves and horns trimmed twice per year. One of these trimming should occur within 2-3 months of joining the ewes. Trimming their horns will make them easier to handle and decrease the burden of carrying their horns. Proper hoof care is very essential in rams because of their added weight. It can be difficult for rams to walk long distances if their hooves are sore. Shearing helps to decrease heat stress, fly strike, lice, and also makes them more mobile.
Other important ram preparation includes a breeding soundness exam. Stock ram lambs at 1 ram per 25 ewes and mature rams at 1 per 50 ewes. After adding rams, make sure to monitor the rams to ensure they are breeding. Use marking harnesses to confirm services.
Ewe lambs should be vaccinated and boostered prebreeding for Chlamydia (enzootic abortion) and Campylobacter (Vibrio) and all ewes should be boostered annually. Breeding ewe lambs gives them higher lifetime reproductive performance. Ewe lambs should be in a separate breeding group from mature ewes to decrease bunk competition and provide the added nutrient requirements they need for growth.
Ewes can be flushed 2-3 weeks prebreeding. To flush ewes, increase the amount of energy in the feed to increase ewe condition for the breeding season. Most producers add ½ to 1 pound of corn per ewe. Feed increased energy three weeks into the breeding season and then gradually decrease the energy to lessen the stress on the ewes. Results vary from flushing, but some results include increased lambing rate and decreased length of the breeding season.
Another important ewe preparation includes adding teaser rams 2-3 weeks prebreeding. These rams will stimulate the ewe’s ovaries to start cycling and bring them into estrus (heat) faster. Teaser rams assist in concentrating the lamb drop and decreases the mating period.
Ewes with the proper body condition score and good health are more likely to settle and have multiple births.