SHEEP MANAGEMENT - PRE-MATING: General

The following is by no means a complete list, but a reminder of some of the most important aspects that should receive attention to ensure that everything runs smoothly with the arrival of the mating season.

Rams

• Number of rams

Make sure there are enough rams for the mating season. The season, size of camps and breeding herds play a role in the ram/ewe ratio. Although there is enormous variation between rams’ ability to successfully mate ewes, the rule of thumb is 1 ram per 33 ewes for adult ewes. The more times a ewe is mated, the greater the chance of multiples. For replacement ewes, the ratio can be reduced to 1 ram per 25 ewes. Preferably use experienced rams with replacement ewes as their heat is not always very clear or can last shorter. It is always good to have a ram or two on “standby” in case something happens to a ram during the mating season (sick/injured, becomes infertile etc.)

• Purchase of rams

Rams must be purchased well in advance of the mating season. Most “auction” rams are overconditioned and need to lose condition before the start of the mating season. In addition, they must be “weaned” from the finishing ration with which they are prepared for the auction, without losing condition too quickly. In wool-bearing breeds, some rams are sold with long wool. These rams should preferably be shorn no less than one month before the start of the mating season. Rams with long wool (>8 months) will have difficulty mating.

• Separation of rams and ewes

Rams and ewes should preferably be separated from each other for 2 months before the start of the mating season, so that they cannot see or smell each other. If they are in close contact with each other, the ewes may come into heat prematurely and then go into “breeding rest” by the time the mating season officially begins, which can be detrimental to conception (especially in a limited mating season).

• Teaser rams

The use of “dummy” rams is recommended to tease the ewes (get them cyclic), so that by the time the real rams are added, they are ready to come into heat and be conceive  immediately - especially useful in the “off season” which is not the natural mating season (spring mating). Teaser rams must be prepared well in advance so that they cannot impregnate the ewes by the time they are put to the ewes! For best results, 3% teaser rams should be put to the ewes early in the morning, 9 days before the start of the mating season. Remove them the same day when rams are added. Teaser rams should be very sexually active with a high libido (Afrikaner/Afrino rams work very well).

• Fitness

Rams should be fit at the start of the mating season. Rams should be exercised daily by walking them at a brisk pace - especially if they have been kept in small pens or purchased beforehand. Start with 10 minutes and gradually increase the time until they are walking briskly for 30 to 45 minutes per day. During the training sessions, rams can also be monitored for hoof, pastern and joint problems.

• Feet (and horns)

Make sure that rams' claws are not overgrown - this especially happens in sandy environments or where rams do not walk much (small camps). For rams with horns, make sure that the horns have not grown unnecessarily long or curled inwards. Trim the horns shorter if necessary.

• Wool length (wool-bearing breeds)

Rams should preferably have short wool (<4 months), when the mating season arrives, but should preferably not be shorn less than 4 weeks before the start of the mating season.

• Supplements - in addition to Multimin/OptiLumen Sheep & Goats, rams can be dosed with wheat germ oil 2 to 3 times a week to optimize their fertility.

• AI - if artificial insemination is done by yourselves, make sure that the equipment is complete and in working order. If using your own rams, they must be “tamed” and taught to jump ewes for semen collection.

 

Ewes

• Crutching (wool-bearing breeds)

If ewes have long wool (>8 months), it may be advisable to crutch the ewes to get the area around the vulva nice and clean. This will also prevent the ewes from fly strike infestations in that area during the rainy season.

• Classing of ewes

If ewes have not already been classed at the  weaning of the lambs, now is a good time to class the ewes before the mating season begins. Look at the following aspects:

• teeth - cull ewes whose teeth are no longer in good condition (worn, fallen out, crooked, etc.). Ewes whose teeth are no longer in good condition may become pregnant, but will struggle to maintain their condition and raise their lamb(s) well.

• udder/teats - cull ewes whose udders are hard or contain lumps as this will affect their milk production. If ewes' teats are not soft and complete (e.g. tip cut off with shears), they should also be culled

• fly strike - cull ewes experienced fly strike, as there is a genetic component involved that is passed on to the offspring

• poor mothering qualities - cull ewes out that expressed poor mothering ability during previous lambing (especially important where lambing pens are used), so that these poor maternal traits are not bred into the herd.

• last selection of replacement ewes - perform the last selection of replacement ewes. Keep a few more ewes than needed for replacement, mate them all and only keep ewes that become pregnant (determined by scanning)

• Feet (and horns)

Make sure that ewes' claws are not overgrown - this especially happens in sandy environments or where ewes do not walk much (small camps). In ewes with horns, make sure that the horns have not grown unnecessarily long or curled inwards. Trim the horns shorter if necessary. Examine all lame sheep and treat, or cull if the problem occurs repeatedly.

• Breeding flocks

Now is the time to plan the breeding flocks and number of rams required for the mating season. If crossbreeding is being done, it is especially important that planning is done well in advance of which rams should be placed with which ewes to obtain the maximum benefit (hybrid vigor) from the crossbreeding.