shearing in-lamb ewes

[rhifsaith]

how close to lambing is it safe to shear ewes?

 

[Global ovine]

Shearing it's self won't hurt the ewes or foestuses if handled kindly. But the witholding from feed upto shearing and the extra demands from heat loss could very much affect twinning ewes. Watch out for metabolic disease if in the last 4 weeks, particularly the last 2. Don't shear heavily pregnant ewes with a belly full of grass, they will suffer a heart attack on the board.

If you shear at about 100 days post tupping you can get a significant increase in lamb birth weight. This may not be a good thing for singles by large headed, thick boned and legged terminal breeds, but may be desirable in twins/triplets from easier lambing parents.

 

[rhifsaith]

thanks for the reply GO.the closest ones to lambing would be about 40 days away.did them earlier last year and was very pleased with the result.

see you're from Otago,stayed with Don Begley and his family when i was over there,do you know him?

 

[KNconsulting]

I would say you're getting quite close at just under 6 weeks pre-lambing so would be a judgment call. What condition are they in and what is the quality of the forage available like?

 

[Global ovine]

thanks for the reply GO.the closest ones to lambing would be about 40 days away.did them earlier last year and was very pleased with the result.

see you're from Otago,stayed with Don Begley and his family when i was over there,do you know him?

No I don't. I farmed in Southland for 25 years, but know many thru' the deep south.

 

[rhifsaith]

I would say you're getting quite close at just under 6 weeks pre-lambing so would be a judgment call. What condition are they in and what is the quality of the forage available like?

would say they're in a fit condition.forage is quite good.14.4 cp,10.8 me,and 38%dm.and they're on adlib liquid feed

 

[NZDan]

Shearing it's self won't hurt the ewes or foestuses if handled kindly. But the witholding from feed upto shearing and the extra demands from heat loss could very much affect twinning ewes. Watch out for metabolic disease if in the last 4 weeks, particularly the last 2. Don't shear heavily pregnant ewes with a belly full of grass, they will suffer a heart attack on the board.

If you shear at about 100 days post tupping you can get a significant increase in lamb birth weight. This may not be a good thing for singles by large headed, thick boned and legged terminal breeds, but may be desirable in twins/triplets from easier lambing parents.

I think shearing around the 70 - 100 day mark increases birth weights on twins but not singles.