[Jacob-list] Pregnant Ewes

[Unzicker]

Hi Cheryl and  Others,
I also grain my ewes and do not usually have a problem with huge lambs.
They get 1/2 lb a day starting about four weeks before the first ewe is due.
What I have noticed is that when a ewe is even only a few days overdue, her
lamb/lambs will be noticeably bigger and horn buds are noticeably bigger
also.  It also seems to be more commom with certain ewe families.   Most of
my lambs this year were in the 6-9 lb range.  Except Joni.  This year she
had a 14 lb lamb.  She has always had bigger lambs but never this big.   But
then, she usually has twins.  She did deliever ok by herself.  I also think
maybe horn buds are bigger at birth on two horn rams.  Not sure that is
always the case but seems to happen more often here.  I sold Joni's daughter
as a bred ewe last fall and the new owner reported she  also had a big lamb
this year as a first time mother.

As for feeding grain right after delivery  -  if it is a yearling or an old
ewe, I do give grain right away.   I also give grain to the others but just
a smidgen, maybe a quarter cup at most.  I guess that is their rewared for a
job well done.  :-)   I really do think they do not need any grain the first
several days but I  admit I have a hard time not giving them any.
Royal
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <rns1260 at adelphia.net>
To: "Jacob list" <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 10:38 AM
Subject: [Jacob-list] Pregnant Ewes


> One of the ewes, I was concerned about had twins yesterday. She needed
assistance as the ram lamb was big with pronounced horn buds. We have always
fed grain in the winter with grass hay. I personally feel that some of the
ewes get more than others and this has caused  over conditioned ewes. This
is our first year for more than one lose due to large lambs. I referred to
Ingrid Painters book and she made mention that their loss was not as great
after they stopped graining before delivery. She also noted not feeding
grain for the first two days after delivery. This causes too much milk and
the teats becoming engorged and the lambs are unable to suck properly. She
does say, that she grains during lactation. This can be found on pages 49
and 50 of  "Jacob Sheep in America" by: Ingrid Painter. Another breeder
mentioned that when she grained she noticed the already developed horn buds.
This all is food for thought as, I don't like to repeat mistakes.
> Thanks for all the responses,
> Cheryl
> Rise "N" Shine Farm
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