When sponging ewes

[Sheepandcalfs]

Weaned some aged ewes on Tuesday they lambed mid March this year and are in fair good fettle for best results how soon could you sponge them?(this would be first time ever sponging sheep)

 

[neilo]

Ideally they would want at least a month dry ime. If sponged sooner then some will certainly get in lamb OK, but results will be far more variable.
Maybe that’s OK for your system though? Sponge early, lamb what holds and sell the rest barren perhaps?

 

[Sheepandcalfs]

Ideally they would want at least a month dry ime. If sponged sooner then some will certainly get in lamb OK, but results will be far more variable.
Maybe that’s OK for your system though? Sponge early, lamb what holds and sell the rest barren perhaps?

That’s the plan but still would like as many inlamb as possible if I sponge 10th August should just about b ok I’ve gave them a cheap mineral dose and will repeat at sponging as I’ve some left any other tips appreciated thanks

 

[gatepost]

Depends on their breed, they have to be cycling naturally, sponging won't make them cycle.

 

[Sheepandcalfs]

Depends on their breed, they have to be cycling naturally, sponging won't make them cycle.

There Suffolkxmule mostly and Suffolkxcheviot

 

[gatepost]

You might be pushing your luck, but you can advance breeding date with a Melatonin implant pellet, but it would need doing now at the latest.

 

[neilo]

Depends on their breed, they have to be cycling naturally, sponging won't make them cycle.

Yes it does (with PMSG). Almost all Charollais and Suffolk ewes that lamb in December won't have been cycling naturally.

 

[Girlfarmer]

Slightly off original post but does anyone know if success rate using chronogest and pmsg is any different in shearlings compared to ewes? Don't think I'm going to get enough ewes ready in time as struggling for grass to wean lambs onto. Wondering about trying some shearlings as well.

 

[andybk]

You might be pushing your luck, but you can advance breeding date with a Melatonin implant pellet, but it would need doing now at the latest.

wont be a good year for melatonin , to bright , we used it for years , wet or cloudy summers were most successful , very poor takes in dry bright years,
and you need isolation from any male rams or goats pre tupping , getting late as you say .

 

[neilo]

Slightly off original post but does anyone know if success rate using chronogest and pmsg is any different in shearlings compared to ewes? Don't think I'm going to get enough ewes ready in time as struggling for grass to wean lambs onto. Wondering about trying some shearlings as well.

I've always sponged shearling ewes the same as older ewes, and not noticed any difference (not that I've seen any reason to look). With ewe lambs they ideally want to have cycled naturally a couple of times, so later in the season, and results are still a bit variable then IME.

CIDR's for sheep have been licenced in the UK this year, at last, having been the weapon of choice in the rest of the world for some time. If anyone is thinking of sponging ewes this year, I recommend using CIDR's instead. They are miniature versions of the cow ones, far easier to insert, far easier to remove and have a better retention rate IME. They are made of silicon rubber, like medical equipment, so don't cause any irritation to the ewe, and less smelly discharge. Timings are as with sponges, just a different method of applying the hormone.

 

[gatepost]

Yes it does (with PMSG). Almost all Charollais and Suffolk ewes that lamb in December won't have been cycling naturally.

Interesting, I always believed that pmsg super ovulates so will shed more ova but only if naturally cycling and sponging only stops cycling if it is occurring, then sponge removal allows cycling to recommence, you live and learn.

 

[sheepwise]

Yes it does (with PMSG). Almost all Charollais and Suffolk ewes that lamb in December won't have been cycling naturally.

But in the other thread you said that the Charollais lambing date had to be 1st December as they would naturally be cycling to lamb then.

 

[Wilddog]

I've always sponged shearling ewes the same as older ewes, and not noticed any difference (not that I've seen any reason to look). With ewe lambs they ideally want to have cycled naturally a couple of times, so later in the season, and results are still a bit variable then IME.

CIDR's for sheep have been licenced in the UK this year, at last, having been the weapon of choice in the rest of the world for some time. If anyone is thinking of sponging ewes this year, I recommend using CIDR's instead. They are miniature versions of the cow ones, far easier to insert, far easier to remove and have a better retention rate IME. They are made of silicon rubber, like medical equipment, so don't cause any irritation to the ewe, and less smelly discharge. Timings are as with sponges, just a different method of applying the hormone.

I am now looking into getting my sponges for this year! I take it u still use pmsg with the cidr? At the same dose?

 

[Sheepandcalfs]

Do you have to buy the sponge’s from the vet are can you buy them cheaper online?

 

[Wilddog]

I can get them a lot cheaper online but u need a prescription from ur vet!!

 

[Sheepandcalfs]

I've always sponged shearling ewes the same as older ewes, and not noticed any difference (not that I've seen any reason to look). With ewe lambs they ideally want to have cycled naturally a couple of times, so later in the season, and results are still a bit variable then IME.

CIDR's for sheep have been licenced in the UK this year, at last, having been the weapon of choice in the rest of the world for some time. If anyone is thinking of sponging ewes this year, I recommend using CIDR's instead. They are miniature versions of the cow ones, far easier to insert, far easier to remove and have a better retention rate IME. They are made of silicon rubber, like medical equipment, so don't cause any irritation to the ewe, and less smelly discharge. Timings are as with sponges, just a different method of applying the hormone.

I can get them a lot cheaper online but u need a prescription from ur vet!!

me vet might not be to happy bout that lol I’ve 60 to do what pack sizes do the sponges are cidrs come in

 

[Wilddog]

me vet might not be to happy bout that lol I’ve 60 to do what pack sizes do the sponges are cidrs come in

Sponges come in 25s

 

[Ysgythan]

Weaned some aged ewes on Tuesday they lambed mid March this year and are in fair good fettle for best results how soon could you sponge them?(this would be first time ever sponging sheep)

Best results you want to melanin implant now, and get them on a rising plane of nutrition before tupping. You’ll also need a teaser as you’ll need all the help you can get. That will take a while between drying them off and everything. BCS a good indicator. I think I’d raddle a teaser and only sponge them once he’s started marking them.

 

[Ysgythan]

Slightly off original post but does anyone know if success rate using chronogest and pmsg is any different in shearlings compared to ewes? Don't think I'm going to get enough ewes ready in time as struggling for grass to wean lambs onto. Wondering about trying some shearlings as well.

Shearlings generally cycle later, but management pre tupping can boost results.

 

[neilo]

Do you have to buy the sponge’s from the vet are can you buy them cheaper online?

POM, so either from vet or elsewhere with a prescription from your vet.