Pre-Lambing Ewe Nutrition and Welfare

Nutrition in the final 6-8 weeks of pregnancy is critical for ewe welfare and lamb survival, with inadequate nutrition causing pregnancy toxemia, small lambs, and poor colostrum production.

Key Facts

Pregnancy toxemia (twin lamb disease) occurs when ewes in late pregnancy cannot consume enough energy for their own needs and fetal growth
Twin and triplet-bearing ewes require 50% more energy than singles in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy
Body condition score at lambing should be 3-3.5 for hill breeds and 3-4 for lowland breeds
Colostrum quality is directly related to ewe nutrition - vitamin E and selenium deficiency reduce colostrum immunoglobulin content
Early diagnosis of pregnancy toxemia with ketone testing enables treatment before the condition becomes life-threatening

Welfare Considerations

Pre-lambing ewe nutrition is welfare-critical because the consequences of inadequate nutrition compound across the ewe-lamb pair: an underfed ewe produces less colostrum of lower quality, delivering a smaller, weaker lamb with reduced passive immunity. The ewe herself faces metabolic disease risk. Investment in appropriate pre-lambing nutrition - including body condition scoring from early pregnancy and targeted supplementation of thin ewes - prevents a cascade of welfare problems at lambing.

What You Can Do

Body condition score ewes at scanning and again 6 weeks before lambing to identify thin individuals
Feed thin ewes separately to ensure adequate intake without competition from better-conditioned animals
Provide appropriate energy and protein supplements in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy for twin and triplet-bearing ewes
Test late-pregnant ewes showing depression and inappetence for ketones - treat pregnancy toxemia urgently
Ensure selenium and vitamin E status of ewes is adequate before lambing through blood testing