OT - single lambs

Northvale PA · Jan 20, 2019

With the cold nasty weather we are now into the lambing season. Have had 6 singles in a row. We would easily have 3 sets of twins, maybe 4. So, I am wondering if all the late summer rain caused the grass nutrition level to fall off? Our 3rd cutting alfalfa grass hay from that time was marginal too.

tomturkey · Jan 20, 2019

The nutrition level has an affect on the ovulation. But the heat of the day can also deplete the eggs and sperm count. Was always our goal for 150% lamb crop. But was happy for every live lamb. We had a very cold snap one year lost several, so really appreciate at least one live lamb per ewe. gobble

showcrop · Jan 21, 2019

Three out of six having singles is horrendous, let alone six. Are you culling as you should?

LAA · Jan 21, 2019

If the same ewes who normally twin have singles it is highly probable that it is nutrition related, feeding a pound of shelled corn per ewe per day for 3 weeks prior to turning the rams out prevents this from happening 95% of the time.

gene bender · Jan 21, 2019

how much grain did they get during the breeding period

Traditional Farmer · Jan 21, 2019

I raise goats same does,same fields etc,some years I get triplets and twins some years singles and twins.I'm beginning to think the Moon and sign they are bred under has something to doe with it.I've even heard that somehow its related to how severe the upcoming Winter will be,its all a guess as far as I'm concerned.Like calves some years lots of bull calves next year lots of heifer calves.

Northvale PA · Jan 21, 2019

A few answers: yes we flush with grain. But we also bought a new ram in August that is a fall born so less than 1 year old. Could be using a youngster is a factor in addition to the lousy pasture quality. Again, I am thinking the pasture quality is the tipping point. They will hardly eat the 3rd cut alfalfa grass hay and it is probably the crappyist 3rd cut I ever baled. Oh well, better luck next time.

72supr · Jan 22, 2019

(quoted from post at 16:34:55 01/21/19) A few answers: yes we flush with grain. But we also bought a new ram in August that is a fall born so less than 1 year old. Could be using a youngster is a factor in addition to the lousy pasture quality. Again, I am thinking the pasture quality is the tipping point. They will hardly eat the 3rd cut alfalfa grass hay and it is probably the crappyist 3rd cut I ever baled. Oh well, better luck next time.

have run ewes for forty years some were better than others.You are on the right track about the quality of the grass.That can make a big difference along with the weather at breeding time.Good luck lambing and better luck next time as you stated.

OT - single lambs

Northvale PA

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tomturkey

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showcrop

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LAA

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gene bender

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Traditional Farmer

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Northvale PA

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72supr

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