Feeding the ewe…

The amount of supplementary feeding needed in the run up to lambing depends on ewe requirements, base diet, forage quality and closeness to lambing. As unborn lambs grow faster at the end of pregnancy, the nutrient requirements of the ewe increases; at the same time her intake falls.
During late pregnancy (days 90 to 145), over two-thirds of lamb growth occurs in the last 6 weeks. This happens just when the space occupied by the unborn lamb reduces available capacity in the rumen, which means that there is a ‘double–whammy’ of more energy needed and less space to fit it in. Therefore, energy density must increase to supply sufficient nutrients. Concentrates have higher energy density than forages and high energy feed takes up less space than low energy feed. Other diseases can also be associated with nutrition, such as twin-lamb disease, hypomagnesaemia (grass-staggers) and hypocalcaemia. Although ewe management, weather, number of lambs carried and age can play a role in these.
This increase in nutritional demand not only influences lamb growth but also has an effect on mammary tissue development and colostrum production.
Inadequate supply can lead to poor body condition and small weak lambs at birth. Additionally, poor ewe condition means that her colostrum quality and milk yield is also compromised. Low quality milk supply leads to poorer growth rates and a higher incidence of disease in lambs. This in turn can increase work load on farm such as the need for supplementary milk feeding and higher use of antibiotics.
Increasing the rate of concentrate feeding gradually through to lambing is the best way to insure against twin lamb disease and to give lambs the best possible start.
HJ Lea Oakes formulate all of their ewe feeds to meet the increase in nutritional demand. Their most popular Ewe feed being the Super Ewe Extra Nuts. The majority of HJ Lea Oakes’ ewe feeds have Sel-Plex selenium and Availa® Zinc added to help ensure healthy ewes all year round. Selenium is an essential part of the body’s antioxidant defence system and is needed for normal growth and reproduction. Availa® Zinc in ewes increases; DM intake, colostrum quality and milk production. This allows for an increase in body weight gain in lambs, with a greater immune response.
When it comes to feeding lambs, ensuring grass available to the ewe is of good quality to help with continued milk production and worm burden is monitored/managed. Young lambs achieve greater feed conversion ratios than older lambs. Producing a kilogramme of liveweight for less feed input. Ideally a lamb starter pellet such as HJ Lea Oakes’ Supreme Stater Niblets (18% crude protein) should be offered and aiming for 150g-250g growth rate per day. With concentrate intakes of 100g/head at 2-3 weeks of age and increasing up to 300-400g/head by 8 weeks old.