![]() ![]() This measure of performance is determined by dividing the number of ewes lambing the first 20 days of the lambing season by the number of ewes exposed. Percent of Ewes that Settle on First Cycle Likewise, the other calculations mentioned at the start of this article respond to sound management practices to increase production efficiency. Do you vaccinate for vibrionic and enzootic abortions? Talk with your veterinarian to plan a preventive health program against abortion losses, as well as other health problems in your flock.īy now it is apparent that a number of factors influence the number of ewes that lamb of those exposed. If you breed ewes to lamb at one year of age make sure they have enough time to recover from the stress of raising lambs prior to the start of the next breeding season.ĭiseases causing abortions can have an effect on the number of ewes lambing of those exposed. If breeding ewe lambs or yearlings for the first time, breed them separately from the older ewes. Although having lambs born early in the lambing season might be beneficial it is of little value if some of the ewes in your flock are in anestrus for the majority of your breeding season. Consider when you expose your ewe flock to the rams. Flushing and body condition at breeding influences number of lambs born, but it also may have an effect on embryo survival. Switching next to the ewe flock, make certain your ewes are also in a healthy, thrifty condition prior to and during breeding. Also, do not mix ram lambs with mature rams and expect to get good results. The ram is expected to get as many ewes bred in the early part of the breeding season, so give him every advantage to make this happen. Rams need to be in proper body condition (not too thin, not too fat), free of parasites and sound on their feet and legs at the start of the breeding season. Research conducted at Colorado State University indicates that fewer open ewes at the end of the lambing and a smaller ram to ewe ratio is needed when highly fertile rams are used. What do you know with regards to their fertility and aggressiveness during breeding? Consider a complete breeding soundness examination and ELISA test for epididymitis in the rams of your flock. One of the first things to consider is your rams. Rate your flock as “good,” if you fall in the 90 to 95 percent level and anything less than 90 percent as “poor.” If your flock falls into the low good to poor category, pre-breeding and breeding management practices should be evaluated. If you calculate this statistic and come up with a value of 96 to 100 percent for your flock, classify this as “excellent.” Be honest with yourself when making these calculations and include the total number of ewes that were present in the flock when the rams were turned with the ewes, not the number present at lambing time. Let’s take a look at the first calculation. Average weaning weight = total pounds of lamb weaned / # of lambs weaned 1Įach of these calculations has an impact on production efficiency.Percent of lamb mortality from birth to weaning = (# of lambs that died / # of lambs born) x 100. ![]()
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