With scanning well underway, farmers have the opportunity to identify and priority feed triplet-bearing ewes four to six weeks out from lambing.
By increasing their intake of high-quality pasture in this critical pre-lamb period, both lamb survival and lamb growth rates will be enhanced. The pasture on offer needs to be of high quality (leafy and with lots of legume) and at least 1200kg DM/ha (or 4cm high). This height allows the ewe to maximise the quantity of grass she harvests in every mouthful.
Rumen capacity does not differ between twin and triplet-bearing ewes, so while from a nutritional point of view, the two groups do not necessarily need to be separated, if one group is to be given preferential treatment, it should be the triplet-bearing ewes.
Ideally ewes should be at a Body Condition Score of 3 or higher and be at least 20kg heavier at lambing than at mating. This takes into account lambs, membranes and fluid. If triplet-bearing ewes are not 20kg heavier, then they will have lost body condition and lamb survival may be compromised.
If pasture is limited, then ewes carrying triplets should be prioritised for supplementary feeding with a high energy supplement such as peas, grain or sheep nuts. Average or low-quality silage or hay is not recommended because of its high bulk. New feed should be introduced gradually to avoid unwanted metabolic issues.
Farm trials showed there was no advantage to feeding a high protein supplement to triplet-bearing ewes that were well fed on pasture. This is because it is usually energy rather than protein that is the limiting factor.
Tightening feed in late pregnancy does not reduce birth difficulties or bearings, it does however increase the risk of metabolic diseases such as Sleepy Sickness.
Underfeeding at this critical time can result in smaller, weaker lambs, poor mothering behaviour and reduced colostrum and milk production.
Avoid set-stocking too early
Set-stocking too early can mean all the pasture is eaten before lambing is finished. This will impact on milk production and pre-weaning growth rates.
If pasture is slow to come away in spring, consider supplementary feeding single ewes and giving the best pasture to the ewes with triplets.
Triplet-bearing ewes should be lightly stocked at less than 10 ewes/ha to help minimize disturbance at lambing. The longer the ewe stays on the birth site, the stronger the bond between the ewe and her lambs. Alternatively, the triplet-bearing ewes can be spread evenly across the twin-bearing mobs. This can reduce the number of lambs in a given area, with the aim of reducing mismothering.
Shelter is particularly important for triplet lambs. Their body temperature is lower than twin lambs and they lose heat faster because they are smaller. Shelter can help reduce heat loss and improve survival.
Feeding to maximise pre-weaning growth rates
Ewes rearing three lambs can have difficulty eating enough for themselves and three lambs. To maximise the ewe’s intake and drive lactation, graze pastures no lower than 4cm or feed high quality forages such as lucerne and clover/herb mixes.
For more information
- Tips managing ewes triplets (PDF, 289KB).
- Triplet management (webpage).