[Jacob-list] Pregnant Ewes

[Betty Berlenbach]

Hi, Cheryl,

I grain them from NOv. 1 through lactation, with organic whole grains (corn, 
soybeans, wheat), only a little til say, Jan. then increasing to l/2 cup 
each at lambing, maybe up to 3/4 cup for some, the gluttons, then cutting 
back each week, so that by June (lambing in late March, early April) they 
are only on grass again.  Until this year, when an aged ewe was too thin and 
lost her babies (no teeth, long story), I had not lost a lamb in eight 
years, so grain alone is not necessarily THE issue.  I think it is a 
combination of things.  I have found that these whole grain (not sure how 
much the organic has to do with it) is more effective, utilized better: it 
takes one bag of this grain mixture to keep them in the same condition as 
two and a half bags of traditional pellets, even though some of the pellets 
have a higher protein percentage.  Something else to think about...
----- 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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