Livestock

Ewe Nutrition During Pregnancy and Welfare

Nutritional management of ewes during pregnancy is critical for lamb survival, ewe health, and welfare outcomes at lambing.

Key Facts

Energy requirements increase by 150 percent in late pregnancy with twin lambs
Pregnancy toxaemia (twin lamb disease) is the most common metabolic problem
Protein requirements are highest in the final 6 weeks of pregnancy
Ultrasound scanning to determine litter size enables targeted supplementary feeding
Under-conditioned ewes at lambing have reduced colostrum and milk production

Welfare Considerations

Pregnancy toxaemia causes profound weakness, recumbency, and death if untreated. The condition is entirely preventable through appropriate late-pregnancy nutrition. Scanning ewes for litter size allows targeted feeding of twin and triplet-bearing ewes who have the greatest energy demands.

What You Can Do

Ultrasound scan all ewes in mid-pregnancy for litter size determination
Provide supplementary concentrates to twin and triplet-bearing ewes from 6 weeks before lambing
Monitor ewe body condition score monthly through pregnancy
Support AHDB Sheep BRP knowledge exchange on ewe nutrition