OPTIMISING EWE NUTRITION
Ben Harvey
Some flocks will have finished lambing, some in the thick of it and some yet to start. Ensuring your ewes receive the right nutrition around lambing is critical for both their health and the sur- vival of their lambs. Ideally, ewes should be between a 2.5 - 3.0 at lambing; fat ewes are at risk of prolapse while thin ewes will struggle to provide sufficient milk for their lambs. The final six weeks of pregnancy is when approximately 70% of foetal growth occurs. This rapid growth places considerable demands on the ewe, making it essential to provide high - quality feed that meets her evolving nutritional needs The Importance of Feed Quality Ewes in late pregnancy require a diet rich in energy and protein to support both their own body condition and the growing lambs. Inadequate nutrition during this time can lead to metabolic dis- orders such as pregnancy toxaemia and hypocalcaemia (twin lamb disease), weaker lambs at birth, and reduced colostrum production. High - quality forage should form the foundation of the diet, but due to the increasing size of the lambs, the ewe ’ s rumen capacity is reduced, meaning she cannot consume as much bulky forage. Therefore, supplementing with concentrated feeds is necessary to meet energy and protein requirements.
Energy : A ewe carrying twins requires approximately 12 MJ of metabolisable energy (ME) per day in the final weeks of pregnancy. Good quality silage or hay should be analysed to ensure it meets these requirements, and concentrates can be added if necessary. Protein : Protein is essential for lamb development and colostrum quality. Diets should aim for a crude protein content of around 16 - 18%. Soya bean meal, rapeseed meal, and high - protein blends are excellent sources. Minerals and Vitamins : Calcium, magnesium, and selenium are critical in late pregnancy. A deficiency in calcium can lead to hypocalcaemia (part of twin lamb), while a lack of selenium can result in weak lamb syndrome. Providing a high - quality mineral supplement specifically designed for ewes in late gestation is recommended.
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