Lambing success: Sheep pregnancy scanning & management
With most flocks across the UK lambing between January and April, pregnancy scanning your sheep will soon be on the to do list. Sheep scanning is conducted by a trained professional that uses an ultrasound scanner to determine the pregnancy of a ewe, and how many lambs it is carrying, if any.
Why should you scan your sheep?
Ultrasound scanning potentially in lamb ewes is a simple management practice which can help improve lambing percentage. It is important to identify which ewes are pregnant, when they are due, and how many lambs they are carrying, as well as identifying and separating barren ewes.
The best way to improve lamb survival rates is through drafting ewes immediately after scanning into groups based on how many lambs they are carrying. In addition twin bearing ewes should be drafted into heavy or light body condition, to ensure they are receiving enough nutrients, keeping their body condition at an optimal level for lambing.
When should you scan?
The optimum time to scan your ewes for single or twin status (multiples) is 80-100 days after the rams have been removed from the flock, if you scan earlier or later than this, it may result in inaccurate records.
The target for scanning results should be based on your system:
- 100-120% hill flock
- 120-170% upland flock
- 170-200% lowland flock
*However, factors such as weather, grass growth and ewe condition can impact your lambing percentage.
How to add pregnancy scan results to Herdwatch:
With Herdwatch, you can add all your pregnancy scan results straight into the app! Easily keep track of any breeding issues, empty ewes, implement a feeding plan and group/ manage ewes according to the number of lambs they are having.
When adding scan results you can add a detailed pregnancy scan – including number of lambs due, sire, gender, and more. Alternatively, you have the option to simply select the empty or pregnant status only.
- Tap the orange plus button (+).
- Scroll or search for ‘Pregnancy Scan.’
- Enter the details from the scan, press next and select the relevant animal(s).
- Select ‘Save.’
Quickly view all your saved records from the pregnancy scanning to see which ewes are pregnant, the number of progeny expected or if a dam is empty.
- Navigate to the home screen, click on ‘Breeding’.
- Click on ‘Scan Results’.
- View – all scans added to the app.