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Unit 4: Year of the Shepherd
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Ewe and Ram checks prior to tupping
Early to mid pregnancy
Late pregnancy
Lambing systems
Care of the ewe and lamb post lambing
Husbandry tasks from lambing to weaning
Choosing to keep or sell ewe lambs
Check for learning
Unit 4: Year of the Shepherd

Ewe and Ram checks prior to tupping

 

After weaning, ewes are dry without any lambs relying on them. They use this time to rest and to restore body condition ready for tupping.

Any vaccines and deworming needs to be done during this time.

Ewe MOT

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Feet - Inspect hooves for lameness, foot rot, or other issues. Lame ewes may not conceive well, and foot problems can worsen during pregnancy.
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Body Condition - Ewes should be assessed for their body condition score (BCS), typically on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 being thin, 5 being obese). A target BCS of 3-3.5 is generally recommended for most breeds before tupping. Ewes that are too thin may not cycle properly, while overly fat ewes may have complications during pregnancy.
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Mouth - Check for teeth problems, especially in older ewes. Missing or worn-down teeth can affect their ability to eat and maintain condition.
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Udder - Check the udder for any lumps or abnormalities as these may affect if the ewe would be able to rear lambs this coming year.
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Previous reproductive issues - If any reproductive issues are suspected (e.g., previous lambing difficulties or failure to conceive), culling may be the only options as that ewe is unproductive for the farm.

Ram MOT

Checking that your rams are fit and healthy is a key area for a successful breeding season, it is advised to carry these checks out 10 weeks before tupping.

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Feet - Check the ram’s hooves for signs of lameness, foot rot, or overgrown hooves, and treat any issues before tupping. Lame rams may struggle to mate successfully. Out of the four legs the two backs are most important as these will be the weight bearing legs during mating.
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Body Condition - Rams should be in good physical condition with a body condition score of around 3.5 to 4, which is scored on a scale of 1 to 5. Rams that are too thin may lack stamina, while overweight rams may have reduced libido. Rams can lose up to a whole body condition score during the breeding season, so it’s important they start in good or over condition.
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Teeth - Ensure the ram has a sound mouth, especially in older rams, as dental issues can lead to poor body condition if the ram can’t eat properly.
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Testicle Size and Health - The testicles should be felt to ensure they are firm, symmetrical, and free of lumps or abnormalities. A good ram typically has large testicles, roughly 34-36 cm in circumference for mature rams, which often means higher sperm production.

Culling Stock

 

"Culling" refers to the process of selectively removing ewes or rams from the flock based on certain criteria. Ewes and rams may be culled for various reasons such as age, health issues, reproductive problems. It's a management decision aimed at ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of the sheep farming operation.

Cull meat is often purchased in the markets by specific communities, here are a few examples.

Example 1 - Ramadan

Cull ewes are in particular demand for specific religious cuisine during the Ramadan celebration within the Muslim community. Beyond its symbolic significance, cull ewes are popular because of its high protein content that helps to sustain the body during the long days of fasting.

Example 2 - Eid ul-Adha

Eid ul-Adha, Festival of Sacrifice is an Islamic Holiday celebrated by Muslims, where lamb, mutton and older ewe meat is eaten within the celebrations. The traditional lamb for this Muslim holiday commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael in obedience to Allah is a yearling or “one tooth” goat. “One tooth” refers to the fact that yearling sheep have one set of adult teeth.

Example 3 - Kosher

Sheep, including cull ewes, are consumed by some Jewish communities as long as the meat is processed in accordance with Kosher rules.

Cull ewe meat is valued for its affordability and flavour in many of these communities, often used in slow-cooked, spiced, or marinated dishes to tenderise the meat and enhance its taste. Therefore these communities are a valued part of farming and contribute massively to the cull ewe trade.

Body Condition Targets

 

See the table below with the body condition score targets across the three different tiers of land.

Hill ewes Upland ewes Lowland ewes
At weaning 2 2 2.5
At tupping 2.5 3 3.5
Mid-pregnancy 2 2.5 3
Lambing 2 2.5 3

Video on Ewe and Ram Pre-tupping

 

See the video below that summarises the ewe and ram checks before tupping.

Optimising ovulation rates

 

Optimising ovulation rates in ewes is key to improving reproductive performance, increasing conception rates, and maximising the number of lambs born. Various management practices can help achieve this goal by stimulating ovulation and enhancing overall fertility.

Here are some of the most effective strategies.

Flushing

Involves improving the nutritional status of ewes 2-3 weeks before tupping (mating) and continuing this increased nutritional intake for a few weeks after mating. This typically involves offering better-quality pasture or supplemental feed, such as grains or concentrates.

Teaser Rams


Introducing rams (or teaser rams, vasectomized rams) to ewes that have been isolated from males for several weeks can stimulate ovulation through pheromone exposure. This "ram effect" helps synchronise ovulation, resulting in more ewes coming into heat at the same time, which is beneficial for controlled breeding programs.

Flushing After Breeding

Continuing the increased nutritional intake for a few weeks after breeding can help support early pregnancy and embryo survival, which is critical to optimising not only ovulation but also the successful development of multiple embryos.

Progesterone Sponges


These devices release progesterone and are inserted into the ewe’s vagina. After being removed, ewes typically ovulate within a few days. This method is often used in conjunction with artificial insemination (AI) or to synchronise

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