Lambing losses.

[weechrissie21]

This year's not been great, we are at 9% ewe losses and 18% lamb losses.....we don't have a huge flock so it's a blow for sure. Although they were bolused and had plenty of feed and licks etc we seem to have a lot of deficiencies this year. Anyway, we learn every time right onwards and upwards

 

[bazza3034]

Weather f**ked me

 

[farmerm]

Ewe loses 1.1%. Lamb losses 8% Barrens 2.2% Yes still only finished lambing with 1.25 lambs per ewe tupped 🫤. End of the day whilst losses are visible

This year's not been great, we are at 9% ewe losses and 18% lamb losses.....we don't have a huge flock so it's a blow for sure. Although they were bolused and had plenty of feed and licks etc we seem to have a lot of deficiencies this year. Anyway, we learn every time right onwards and upwards

Ewe loses 1.1%. Lamb losses 8% Barrens 2.2% Didn’t feel too bad…. yet counted up and we still only finished with an average of 1.25 lambs per ewe tupped 🫤. End of the day whilst your visible losses are higher and demoralising, it’s sometimes the invisible losses aka too many singles that can ruin the profitability of the job….

 

[muleman]

I don't think any of us are going to break any records this time, just have to take it on the chin and hope for better next year!
And hope what we have got is a good trade.

 

[Nithsdale]

2% ewe losses.
12-13% lamb losses possibly more but I've recorded every dead lamb I know of


But, I've just killed 5% of the flock for not having lambs


Most of the ewe losses and non rearing was due to the twin ewes forcing between a wired shut gate and a fence post a week before lambing started.




Won't be any records but all things considered I think I've done well this year.

 

[Timbo]

Person spoken to today lambing 3000 or so is at 17% losses just over lambing.

 

[muleman]

I would say 20% lamb losses from scanning will be standard this time

 

[Bigsingle]

I had alot of deaths down to the weather a month ago alot of twins now running with one. A few with none. The gimmers have kinda saved the day. But pretty average all because of hellish weather. Only 12 gimmers left to go.

 

[hill shepherd]

I would say 20% lamb losses from scanning will be standard this time

Don't think we'll be that high for losses since scanning but we had too many empties at scanning, think we'd loose a fair few lambs between christmas and scanning. Not gonna try to work out what % we might have lost, think folk get too hung up about it, it can't be good for mental health. I just try to do my best to look after what I have got, don't worry too much about dead uns

 

[NFI]

This year's not been great, we are at 9% ewe losses and 18% lamb losses.....we don't have a huge flock so it's a blow for sure. Although they were bolused and had plenty of feed and licks etc we seem to have a lot of deficiencies this year. Anyway, we learn every time right onwards and upwards

I don't feel so bad now. Lambed a bunch in January. We lost more ewes than usual. Dead lambs inside, prolapses,listeria, mastitis. We had a few schmallenberg lambs as well. Something was affecting the ewes, any sign of an illness and they keeled over. April lambers have been easier, but then we are in Somerset.

 

[weechrissie21]

I don't feel so bad now. Lambed a bunch in January. We lost more ewes than usual. Dead lambs inside, prolapses,listeria, mastitis. We had a few schmallenberg lambs as well. Something was affecting the ewes, any sign of an illness and they keeled over. April lambers have been easier, but then we are in Somerset.

We are in the Hebrides and although we don't get a lot of snow it's been a winter of relentless wind and rain Same the sheep were just off their feet overnight and just didn't ever get better despite treatment

 

[delilah]

Lambs scanned to lambs turned out, 1.1%. Passing the baton now, going out on a high.

 

[muleman]

Lambs scanned to lambs turned out, 1.1%. Passing the baton now, going out on a high.

How many do you have...20?!

 

[Sheepykid]

Just to make you all feel better. From scanning to now (3 weeks after lambing finished) 27% losses. That’s old mules bought out the killing pens. Thankfully what’s left alive is looking fairly presentable now.

 

[delilah]

How many do you have...20?!

Lets say we have. 20 ewes scanned at 150% would be 30 lambs. You would only have to lose one lamb to be at 3.3% losses. Keeping the % of losses down is harder the less sheep/cattle you have.

 

[Jockers84]

I've been in several sheep discussion groups over the years, here and back home. Every time this is discussed, honestly, a figure of 15% or so is nearer the norm.

Obviously there will be variation, and some will never lose any of course...

Yea about 15% here on average

 

[Troward]

Lets say we have. 20 ewes scanned at 150% would be 30 lambs. You would only have to lose one lamb to be at 3.3% losses. Keeping the % of losses down is harder the less sheep/cattle you have.

90 lambs and you lost 1? Fair play if so!

 

[Nithsdale]

I read it as 1.1% survived.....

 

[Troward]

That 1 lamb must be f**king good if so...thats the genetics you want.

 

[copse]

Any day I don’t pick something up dead is a good day at the moment.