Scanning
Scanning can be used to establish whether or not a ewe is pregnant and if so the number of lambs she is carrying. It gives an image of the ewe's womb using ultrasound.
Timing
Scanning ewes between 40 and 85 days after mating will produce a very high degree of accuracy in determining whether a ewe is barren or carrying one, two or three lambs.
Management
Knowing precisely the pregnancy status of ewes allow the following management decisions to be taken:
Accurate feed determination of pregnant ewes according to the number of lambs each is carrying
Fattening and/or sale of non pregnant ewes
Assessment of housing requirements
Improved lambing management
The scanning process is quick and from an animal's point of view, stress free
Tuesday, January 15, 2013