Key management points for foundation ewes in the pre-mating period

Breeding ewes are the foundation of the normal development of a sheep flock, and whether they are raised well or poorly is an important factor in whether the flock can grow and whether its quality can be improved and enhanced. Ewes bear the reproductive tasks of mating, gestation and lactation; the body condition and feeding level of ewes have a direct impact on the survival and growth and development of lambs, so the nutritional level of ewes must never be relaxed throughout the year. A good nutritional level should be maintained in order to achieve the goals of more multiple births, more offspring, more survivors and more strong lambs.

The nutritional level and body condition of ewes in the pre-mating period play a decisive role in estrus, the number of ovulations, mating and conception. Complete-value nutrition and medium-to-upper body condition can promote estrus in ewes and increase the number of ovulations; conversely, severe nutritional deficiency leads to delayed puberty, postpartum anestrus and prolonged estrus, which extends the lambing interval of ewes and reduces reproductive performance. Therefore, starting 45 days before mating, short-term flushing should be provided so that ewes obtain sufficient protein, minerals and vitamins to maintain good body condition. This can make ewes come into estrus early, ovulate more, come into estrus uniformly and lamb in a concentrated period, improving the conception rate and the multiple-birth rate.