Ewe Nutrition Pre and Post Lambing!
On many sheep farms preparation should be well underway for a busy lambing season. It is essential to review lambing performance from last year, focus
on areas that need to improve, and set out a clear management and nutritional plan for the coming season.
With 70% of foetal growth occurring in the final 6 weeks of pregnancy, this is a crucial time for lamb development, and colostrum production. ENERGY
and PROTEIN requirements increase significantly at this time, however as the ewe’s rumen is put under pressure for space from the rapidly developing
lambs, her appetite significantly decreases. Therefore, nutrient density of the diet must significantly increase.
In order to set up a feed plan for the ewe’s final trimester, you must first, know the quality of the forage you are feeding. At Chestnutts, we offer
free forage analysis for all customers by testing forage in our lab using a handheld NIR Scanner. Feed plans vary depending on breed, BCS and number
of lambs carried, therefore ewes should be grouped accordingly, allowing a precise feed plan to be implemented.
Our range of quality ewe feeds contain high levels of energy and protein using predominantly maize and wheat as energy sources, and soya as a protein
source. A quality vitamin and mineral package containing high levels of Vitamin E and Selenium will help to ensure lambs are born with vigour and
improve their ability to get up and suckle.
For more information on ewe nutrition and management coming up to lambing, click the link to download our Ewe Management Booklet.
