LAMBING TROUBLES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20803, 11 August 1937, Page 3

LAMBING TROUBLES

ANTE-r.IHTI M PARALYSIS IN EVIDENCE CARE OF THE BREEDING EWE Reports of losses among breeding ewe.s through ante-partum paralysis or sleeping sickness are still coming to hand from various parts of South Canterbury. The trouble is not uncommon at this time of year but it can become a most serious matter if not taken in hand at once. In many cases it is noticed that farmers whose properties are heavily stocked are suffering most. The paralysis is mostly confined to the low country where the ewes are more forward in their pregnancy. In cases investigated it has been found that the affected ewes have been carrying twin lambs and. although the trouble is liable to be seen in very fat I ewes, in other cases the ewes have j been noticed by the owners to be go- • ing back in condition for some time, i A ewe in the early stages starts to : lag behind the other members of the I flock, is slow in her movements, and, i if forced along, will frequently stagger | and stumble and even fall over. It ; seen at this stage, before the ewes cease to feed or ruminate, and steps are taken to remove the animals to a ; green paddock of barley or oats, a I number of recoveries will take plac. : It is, however, advisable on many I farms to use any green crop for the ewe I flock during the next two or three I weeks. If this is impossible then cut | out the dopey-looking ewes from the 1 mob and put them on green feed or the ' most succulent feed available. In- ; adequate nutrition of the pregnant j ewe during the last few weeks is the I major cause of the losses from antepartum paralysis. Exercise, too, plays an important part in the health of the | breeding ewe. Farmers who are caught j short of feed should resort to the use ; of mixing molasses with oat sheaf | chaff. A few pounds spent in this way j is preferable to allowing the ewes to go back in condition with inevitable ' losses.