Scanning

Bleating Lamb · 04-01-2014 04:37PM

razor8 wrote: »

What breeds were you scanning out of curiosity?

Mainly Wicklow cheviot,a few horned ewes and some Wicklow cross off Suffolk ram...dotty faced sheep.
Have often had higher return but culled hard last few years so with younger ewes you will have less problems but less twins.
All with good Suffolk rams.....have more to scan.

Farrell · 04-01-2014 10:00PM

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Better ring my scanner fella again tomorrow, it's been 70 days already since the ram was let out.

Last year they were done in a cattle crush on an out farm, this year in the shed, both times the scanner used his power pack

Username John · 06-01-2014 03:48PM

So, scanned a few this morning...

Very disappointed with the results... 1.5 average overall

That's from Suffolk ewes. No triplets, a lot of singles (almost half singles, half doubles)

I didn't give em mineral buckets this year when they were with the ram, which I meant to do, but they didn't have em in the co-op and then it just didn't happen, and now I think it's coming back to bite me :mad:

Gave em a cobalt bolus all right, a few weeks before they went the ram, not sure that did much good...

Back from 1.7 last year... :mad:

Sickened to be honest...

:mad:

razor8 · 06-01-2014 05:03PM

Username John wrote: »

So, scanned a few this morning...

Very disappointed with the results... 1.5 average overall
That's from Suffolk ewes. No triplets, a lot of singles (almost half singles, half doubles)

I didn't give em mineral buckets this year when they were with the ram, which I meant to do, but they didn't have em in the co-op and then it just didn't happen, and now I think it's coming back to bite me :mad:

Gave em a cobalt bolus all right, a few weeks before they went the ram, not sure that did much good...

Back from 1.7 last year... :mad:

Sickened to be honest... :mad:

Not a lot you can do UJ only try and keep as many alive as possible when they come along

The bolus should be enough really. Do I remember you saying you fec sampled this year?

grassroot1 · 06-01-2014 06:23PM

Username John wrote: »

So, scanned a few this morning...

Very disappointed with the results... 1.5 average overall
That's from Suffolk ewes. No triplets, a lot of singles (almost half singles, half doubles)

I didn't give em mineral buckets this year when they were with the ram, which I meant to do, but they didn't have em in the co-op and then it just didn't happen, and now I think it's coming back to bite me :mad:

Gave em a cobalt bolus all right, a few weeks before they went the ram, not sure that did much good...

Back from 1.7 last year... :mad:

Sickened to be honest... :mad:

Don't feel bad at all, you will have less dead lambs and much reduced work load. How many lambs did you wean from last years 1.7 I wonder?
I think I read somewhere when you go above 1.8 you have increased triplets not extra doubles. I would rather have 1.5 than 1.9 anyday.
What was your grass supply at flushing, minerals do not have the same impact on conception rates as lack of grass or disturbance at implantation

hedgecutting eddie · 06-01-2014 06:33PM

Scanned 160 sat , Lleyn s didn't go great scanned 1.6 it's the first year I didn't put the Lleyn ram with them I put a Texel and a Suffolk with 70 pure Lleyns only one empty tho scanned 200% last year ,others did well 1.9 scanned 90 no empties not many triplets think 15 out of 160

Username John · 06-01-2014 08:13PM

razor8 wrote: »

Not a lot you can do UJ only try and keep as many alive as possible when they come along

The bolus should be enough really. Do I remember you saying you fec sampled this year?

Hi Razor,

Yeah, I did FEC samples tho year. Actually, this year wasn't a good for me for lamb thrive. All the lambs got a bad dose of cocci twice...
Not sure the very dry weather suits our ground... But it could have been something else too...

Always something I guess

sea12 · 06-01-2014 08:51PM

Username John wrote: »

Hi Razor,

Yeah, I did FEC samples tho year. Actually, this year wasn't a good for me for lamb thrive. All the lambs got a bad dose of cocci twice...
Not sure the very dry weather suits our ground... But it could have been something else too...

Always something I guess

I would agree with poster above. You'll have less trouble if u can mind the 1.5. Also you will have more singles so they should thrive better and be gone earlier at better prices.
I had the same as u last year and was very disappointed with the number of singles. But u get over it and keep trying to improve.

razor8 · 06-01-2014 10:41PM

Username John wrote: »

Hi Razor,

Yeah, I did FEC samples tho year. Actually, this year wasn't a good for me for lamb thrive. All the lambs got a bad dose of cocci twice...
Not sure the very dry weather suits our ground... But it could have been something else too...

Always something I guess

Always something surely, had cocci in lambs myself. Had it year before but didn't know what it was until started fec sampling this year. I did ewes for rumen fluke first time ever here and seemed to really help them

As posted here, less lambs will be easier managed and you'll have less loses and should mean better thrive but understand your disappointment

2 years ago lost up on 50 lamb with abortion so as you say always something!

AnFeirmeoir · 07-01-2014 11:25AM

If your up for a bit of hardship, you could look at buying a few pet lambs and have them ready for the singles lambing. Probably would work out well for you if you're lambing inside.

grassroot1 · 07-01-2014 12:32PM

AnFeirmeoir wrote: »

If your up for a bit of hardship, you could look at buying a few pet lambs and have them ready for the singles lambing. Probably would work out well for you if you're lambing inside.

Pull on your hand with a lump hammer and then wash the cut with battery acid then spend the next week trying to hit your hand off everything.
If you find that ok then go ahead with the pet lambs.;)

Conmaicne Mara · 08-01-2014 05:50PM

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Rang the guy yesterday, no bother doing mine, but call him again nearer the time. Am looking forward to it now TBH.

Left a message for him and been calling since the weekend, no answer or call back

75 days now since I let the ram out, what's the ideal period of time, I want to know which ewes are carrying multiples.

Will bollox my plans up if I can't get this done.

foxylock · 08-01-2014 10:10PM

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Left a message for him and been calling since the weekend, no answer or call back

75 days now since I let the ram out, what's the ideal period of time, I want to know which ewes are carrying multiples.

Will bollox my plans up if I can't get this done.

Got mine done today a bit disappointed, have ten empty and one with a bad lamb in her. Must count up how many twins I have tomorrow as we just marked em and let them off, was a man down today!

To answer your question Con the lad that did mine likes to get in before ninety days and preferably after eighty. But they can be done after fifty days.

Farrell · 08-01-2014 11:22PM

foxylock wrote: »

Got mine done today a bit disappointed, have ten empty and one with a bad lamb in her. Must count up how many twins I have tomorrow as we just marked em and let them off, was a man down today!

To answer your question Con the lad that did mine likes to get in before ninety days and preferably after eighty. But they can be done after fifty days.

Out of curiosity (hope I never experience) what will you do with bad lambs?

foxylock · 08-01-2014 11:29PM

Farrell wrote: »

Out of curiosity (hope I never experience) what will you do with bad lambs?

Scanner reckons she won't even go full term, So will have to wait and see I suppose.

razor8 · 09-01-2014 12:03AM

foxylock wrote: »

Scanner reckons she won't even go full term, So will have to wait and see I suppose.

Not trying to scare ya but high number of barreners may indicate abortion of some sort
Just be aware of it, maybe nothing to do with it
Happened me a few years ago and dead lambs showed up at scanning was first sign of it. A blood sample maybe worth taking
Had you any outbreaks before?

tabby aspreme · 09-01-2014 12:09AM

Some ewes will carry those bad lambs full term and the other lamb or lambs will be ok, just make sure she cleans ok after lambing , keep an eye on her and if you think the ewe is getting an infection from the dead lamb load her up with antibiotics and wait for her to throw the lamb

foxylock · 09-01-2014 12:18AM

Had a few abort two years ago, got rid of the cats and had no problem last year so put it down to toxo. I have a very young flock with half being hoggets most of the rest are second croppers. A bit annoyed alright this evening but that's farming.

Probably move on the barren ladies so the next question is mart or factory? anyone sell cull ewes lately?

eorna · 09-01-2014 12:12PM

foxylock wrote: »

Had a few abort two years ago, got rid of the cats and had no problem last year so put it down to toxo. I have a very young flock with half being hoggets most of the rest are second croppers. A bit annoyed alright this evening but that's farming.

Probably move on the barren ladies so the next question is mart or factory? anyone sell cull ewes lately?

ewes making poor money in blessington on tuesday, would you not consider running the good ones dry for the year?? it will probably be cheaper than selling them for feck all money and have to buy replacements at high price?? pain in the hole but such is life....just a suggestion...(that's what i have done with mine anyway)

tabby aspreme · 09-01-2014 01:28PM

foxylock wrote: »

Got mine done today a bit disappointed, have ten empty and one with a bad lamb in her. Must count up how many twins I have tomorrow as we just marked em and let them off, was a man down today!

To answer your question Con the lad that did mine likes to get in before ninety days and preferably after eighty. But they can be done after fifty days.

Did the empty ewes have lambs last year

razor8 · 09-01-2014 02:40PM

A young flock would be more susceptible to abortion IMO, id watch them closely. If a problem was brewing you could give them a shot of alamycin to halt it 10 out if how many? It contains Oxytetracycline which reduces infection

You’re not at that stage yet and hopefully wont but as I say be aware of it and if any more act fast

10 barreners were out of how many?

foxylock · 09-01-2014 09:02PM

Right lads thanks for the replies,

Some more info:

Total scanned 140
Singles 70
Doubles 52
Triplets 1
Empty 17

Had them in today and counted up the numbers, was a late finish last night!!

So 17 empties am gutted to be honest all sheep were in fantastic condition this year and had them in two groups, first with two experienced blackface rams about four and a half years old and the other group with a hogget and a ram lamb both Texels. The empties are split evenly between the two groups and are all hoggets except for two older ladies that always had lambs before.

Probably will move on the empties have a lot of ewe lambs kept this year and have a small place so space is at premium. Saw no signs of ilness or abortion in the last couple of months although some of the hoggets were very flighty and still are!!

sea12 · 09-01-2014 10:34PM

foxylock wrote: »

Right lads thanks for the replies,

Some more info:

Total scanned 140
Singles 70
Doubles 52
Triplets 1
Empty 17

Had them in today and counted up the numbers, was a late finish last night!!

So 17 empties am gutted to be honest all sheep were in fantastic condition this year and had them in two groups, first with two experienced blackface rams about four and a half years old and the other group with a hogget and a ram lamb both Texels. The empties are split evenly between the two groups and are all hoggets except for two older ladies that always had lambs before.

Probably will move on the empties have a lot of ewe lambs kept this year and have a small place so space is at premium. Saw no signs of ilness or abortion in the last couple of months although some of the hoggets were very flighty and still are!!

That is low all right. I think it works out around 1.26. Would u get some blood samples to see are they deficient in something. Were the lambs compact or were they spread out. In other words were one of the Rams infertile leading to less ewes being covered.

Disappointing I know but only thing u can do is buy in some ewes scanned as doubles or triplets and ( foster a triplet onto singles) to replace your 17 dry ewes. Or cut costs as your return will be lower with less sheep to sell.

foxylock · 09-01-2014 10:41PM

sea12 wrote: »

That is low all right. I think it works out around 1.26. Would u get some blood samples to see are they deficient in something. Were the lambs compact or were they spread out. In other words were one of the Rams infertile leading to less ewes being covered.

Disappointing I know but only thing u can do is buy in some ewes scanned as doubles or triplets and ( foster a triplet onto singles) to replace your 17 dry ewes. Or cut costs as your return will be lower with less sheep to sell.

The fact that it's an even split between the two groups might suggest that the rams were ok and it was a problem with the ewes. The majority of the empties spent the year on the hill, we brought them in a week before tupping and as a result are a bit looney. I won't be buying any so will concentrate on the few that are left and try to keep as many alive as possible:(

razor8 · 09-01-2014 10:57PM

You'll be saying F off to me but sheep can reabsorb lambs before scanning. Seeing as there young they would be more likely to pick something as there immunity would be low

foxylock · 10-01-2014 12:18AM

razor8 wrote: »

You'll be saying F off to me but sheep can reabsorb lambs before scanning. Seeing as there young they would be more likely to pick something as there immunity would be low

I wouldn't use bad language:D:D

Agreed on that. I culled fierce hard this autumn, probably needed to though bad feet, bad mouths if they looked at me quare they were gone the next week!!!
Kept telling myself I was right as younger sheep will be less hassle...... might use some fuppin bad language after all. :eek:

tomwaterford · 10-01-2014 12:45AM

foxylock wrote: »

I wouldn't use bad language:D:D

Agreed on that. I culled fierce hard this autumn, probably needed to though bad feet, bad mouths if they looked at me quare they were gone the next week!!!
Kept telling myself I was right as younger sheep will be less hassle...... might use some fuppin bad language after all. :eek:

You were right to cull hard,i did myself-havn't scanned yet thou

I had a similar problem myself with young ewes and used pre-tupping mineral buckets the last 2 years and they seemed to give improvement last year anyway-wouldn't have the exact figures to hand on lambing percent.it improved anyway:), but had only 1 empty from 90 ewes (last year) so remains to be seen this year

foxylock · 10-01-2014 01:05AM

tomwaterford wrote: »

You were right to cull hard,i did myself-havn't scanned yet thou

I had a similar problem myself with young ewes and used pre-tupping mineral buckets the last 2 years and they seemed to give improvement last year anyway-wouldn't have the exact figures to hand on lambing percent.it improved anyway:), but had only 1 empty from 90 ewes (last year) so remains to be seen this year

I gave them all a mineral drench before they went to the ram.Maybe I'm wrong but the only other thing I could have done was go into the field and ride them myself!

Always next year I suppose:D

Best o luck with the scanning Tom.

tomwaterford · 10-01-2014 01:16AM

foxylock wrote: »

I gave them all a mineral drench before they went to the ram.Maybe I'm wrong but the only other thing I could have done was go into the field and ride them myself!

Always next year I suppose:D

Best o luck with the scanning Tom.

Dare ya to go into after hours and start thread with said quote:pac::pac:

It is very frustrating alright when you try do everything right/possible to try push the place forward and you get a set back like that-only thing is to try have all your singles gone away early at a good price.might leave you as much money

paddysdream · 10-01-2014 12:57PM

A number of dry ewes can be due to many reasons.Also poor scanning results ie lots of singles cannot be blamed on any one single reason in many cases.

Think I posted up my results from the earlies and maincrop earlier in the thread.
Know that with young ewes ie 1st and 2nd crop ones ,its hard to get a big crop of lambs unless you have a lot of belclare in them and even then it doesnt always work out.

The trade off is that they are much better able to rear what they have,keep condition better and you will get longer out of them.
To get a big crop of lambs you need a decent percentage of older ewes in my opinion.That has its own drawbacks.

Never dosed ewes with minerals as believe that without a blood test showing up a amajor lack then its a waste of time and money.

To cut down on empties severe culling is necessary ie if not in lamb as a ewe lamb then maybe a chance as a hogget but after that no keeping them regardless.

Theres the readymix lorry so will have time tonight to reply tonight.!!!

Scanning

Comments