Halghton Hall Project Lambing Update - April 2020

Scanning results:

126 - Singles
36 - Twins
2 - Triplets 

A total of 164 ewe lambs were due to lamb in April 2020. The overall performance of these ewe lambs over the lambing period was excellent, with no significant issues reported. 

Losses 

• 4 ewe lambs (3 singles and 1 twin) reabsorbed their lambs and did not lamb. 
• 2 singles lost their lambs at birth but both had plenty of milk therefore reared replacements. 
• 1 single lost a lamb and had no milk. 
• There were no losses of lambs from the twins or triplets over the lambing period. 

13 are currently rearing twins, although, all the lambs are small (5-10kgs). These lambs are offered creep feed. All other lambs were either adopted on to yearlings or sold as pet lambs at 2-3 days old. Following a report by ADAS (2010), it is recommended that yearlings only rear one lamb. This is because yearlings need to reach optimum body condition by the time they are mated again at 18 months of age. In order to achieve sufficient liveweight gain during their second season, rearing a single lamb is considered favourable where possible. 

Health

• 3 ewe lambs prolapsed after lambing. All 3 were dealt with according to veterinary advice and these will be culled from the flock to avoid further prolapse problems.
• 1 lamb had Joint-ill.
• All lambs have been treated for fly strike and footbathed to avoid scalding issues.

Performance (up to 14 May 2020)

• 164 ewe lambs scanned in-lamb
• 160 ewe lambs lambed 
• 159 ewe lambs currently rearing a lamb (either their own lambs or replacements)
• Ewe lambs’ average weight - 58kg (range 56-61kg) 
• Ewe lambs’ lamb average weight - 21kg (range 14-23kg)
• Average age in days on 14 May 2020 - 43 days
• Estimating a birth weight of 3.5kg, DLWG estimated at >0.4kg per day