SHEEP PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

Overview Basic Steps to Lambing Methods Used for Lambing Challenges Associated with Lambing

I. Basic Steps A.Managing Ewe’s Health & Nutrition prior to and during pregnancy (gestation) Flushing used before breeding Nutrition affects both the ewe and lamb during pregnancy

I. Basic Steps continued B.Identifying When Ewes Are Bred Ram harness Chest paint Watch ewes for signs of heat (estrus) Check ewe’s udder for development late in gestation. Normal gestation length –5 months minus 5 days, or 145 days

I. Basic Steps continued C. Directly following Birth 3 steps commonly followed for high management operations. Strip Snip Dip

I. Basic Steps continued D. Ways of Identification Ear Tag Ear Notching Ear Tattoo Paint Brand

I. Basic Steps continued E. Docking, Castration, & Vaccinations Practices vary widely in different operations Docking Castrating Vaccinating

II. Methods A.Pasture Lambing –Ewe lambs in the field and does not come into the barn. –Western Oregon –Cuts down on labor needed for operation –Reduces chances of scours and other bacteria infections –Increased chance of hypothermia (cold lambs) & starvation.

II. Methods B.Barn Lambing Intensive/High labor operation Drop pens Post lambing every ewe enters a small pen (jug) for observation. Higher incidence of scours & navel infection

II. Methods C. Pasture to Barn Lambing Moving ewe and lambs from pasture into barn directly after lambing. Somewhat intensive management system Allows for a period of observation It’s a mix of the two other methods

III. Challenges/Problems A.Abnormal Births Common Examples: Legs turned back Head turned back Hind legs first Tail only, no legs

Example of A Normal Birth

III. Challenges/Problems B.Poor Mothers Abandonment or rejection Udder problems Mastitis Not enough or no milk/colostrums Often results in bummer lambs Fed with milk supplement Grafted onto another ewe

III. Challenges/Problems C. Disease & I llness –Common Examples: Scours Sore mouth White Muscle disease –Deficiency in selenium –Common in Western Oregon Phenomena

III. Challenges/Problems D.Predators Fox problem with young lambs Coyotes main problem Mountain lions Bear Dogs kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/.../ candid/Pictures/cyote.jpg