During the final 4-6 weeks of pregnancy there is a greater risk of toxaemia or metabolic syndromes, such as hypocalcaemia. This risk can be managed by minimising stress on ewes and planning to complete routine procedures at least four weeks before the start of lambing. The timing of routine husbandry practices can be critical to improving lamb survival.
- Avoid shearing or crutching ewes within four weeks from the start of lambing.
- Being held off-pasture for shearing can result in condition loss in ewes and possibly higher supplementary feed requirements, especially in poor pasture-growth seasons.
- Shearing increases nutritional requirements (even more so when shearing coincides with cold and windy weather) making it difficult for pregnant ewes to meet their requirements.
- If shearing happens to coincide with wet and windy weather there is a greater risk of metabolic problems and pregnancy toxaemia. Ewes in condition score 3 or higher are better able to withstand the effects of cold weather after shearing.
- Carry out annual 6-in-1 booster vaccination of ewes between 4-6 weeks before lambing.
- In areas where ewes require a pre-lambing drench, this should be carried out at the same time as other pre-lambing husbandry operations.
- Trace element treatments may be given at this time or at shearing or crutching but discuss this with your veterinarian or animal health advisor.
- Controlling fox predation is vitally important. Undertake fox control procedures before lambing commences.