A Few Pre Lambing Essentials
James Brinicombe, Company Director, Denis Brinicombe Group
Across the UK many flocks are lambing at the moment but there are still more yet to lamb and it is with the later lambing flocks in mind that I would like to remind shepherds about some essential elements required by ewes, which can make for an easier lambing time.
At lambing time two of the key minerals are calcium and magnesium.
In the last six weeks of pregnancy there is a huge demand on the ewe, especially when she is carrying multiple births, for the skeletal development of the growing lambs, along with the need for future colostrum and milk production along with muscle toning along the reproductive tract.
If there is an inadequate supply or balance of calcium and/or magnesium then the ewe - because it does not have a big enough skeletal mass to fall back on - will suffer from Pregnancy Toxemia more commonly known as Lambing Sickness. The demand for calcium and magnesium made on the ewe by the unborn lamb and later milk production just cannot be accommodated by many ewes at this time as they are fundamental to initiating colostrum production and rapid milk drop at lambing.
Additionally, if there is insufficient calcium or magnesium in the ewes system then Ringwomb, the inability of the cervix to dilate sufficiently or not at all, preventing a natural unassisted birth, or a uterine prolapse can be the consequence.
Having the correct balance of calcium and magnesium will also aid muscle tone, along the reproductive tract, which will help to induce an easy lambing.
Roughly 10%-15% of the annual lamb crop in the UK dies each year just after being born. The majority of these neo-natal lamb deaths are related to starvation, hypothermia and pneumonia – with selenium and vitamin E deficiency being a common underlying problem. Correcting the selenium and vitamin E deficiencies can be helpful in addressing lamb mortality problems by significantly improving lamb vigour at birth.
The ewe is the major natural supplier of selenium and vitamin E to the newborn. The majority of neo-natal selenium uptake occurs while the foetus is in the uterus. Selenium not only boosts the immune system of the unborn lamb but, controls the ’shiver’ mechanism which lambs use to convert brown fat into energy generating body heat encouraging the lamb to get up and suckle quicker.
Colostrum and milk are considered to be minimal sources of selenium for the lamb, but in contrast, vitamin E, which does not readily cross the placenta, is supplied almost entirely from the colostrum in the vital first few day of life.
During birth mucus is nature’s lubricant and good levels of vitamin A are vital to ensure healthy mucus membranes. Farmers who, through supplementation, can supply the required levels have fewer assisted births and much ’wetter lambings’.
Sugars that provide an immediate source of energy to the pregnant ewe help to offset Twin Lamb Disease and by maintaining the levels of highly available magnesium, cobalt and vitamin B complex will also help to combat this condition and improve the energy supply.
The well established Tub PPL manufactured by the Denis Brinicombe Group and proven to be effective over years of lambing in a diverse range of flocks and conditions will supply all the essential elements described in this article and using it will take the pressure off a shepherd when time is the one element in shortest supply.
