How to determine whether a ewe is pregnant and how to manage it during pregnancy
After successfully mating a ewe, the breeder must make sure that the ewe is pregnant before he can feel at ease. So how can we quickly determine whether a ewe is pregnant? Generally speaking, using a sheep ultrasound machine to test pregnancy is the most accurate. In addition, the following are some daily methods that can be used to determine whether a ewe is pregnant:
Appetite changes: In the early stages of pregnancy, ewes may experience a decrease in appetite. This is because physiological changes such as embryo implantation and placenta formation consume a lot of energy for the ewe, and the secretion of progesterone will also affect its appetite.
Character changes: Pregnant ewes will become quieter and more docile, running and playing less frequently, and choosing to lie down and rest more often. This change is the natural reaction of the ewe to provide the best conditions for fetal development.
Not accepting rams to mount, water gate changes: Pregnant ewes do not accept rams to mount, and if rams attempt to mount, they will avoid it. During pregnancy, the scrotum is pink and tightly closed, and transparent mucus occasionally flows out.
Changes in blood vessels above the pupil: lift the ewe's upper eyelid and observe whether there is an upright, thick, purple-red blood vessel just above its pupil.
If these characteristics appear on the ewe, then congratulations, this means that the ewe you raise is pregnant, and the next step is to do a good job of feeding and managing the pregnant ewe.
Reasonable feed management: Pregnant ewes need to take in enough nutrition to meet their own and fetal needs. At this time, the breeder should provide good quality and easily digestible feed. Ewes with a thin physique should be fed more concentrated feed and ensure balanced nutrition.
Moderate exercise: Moderate exercise can enhance the physique of ewes, promote fetal development, reduce the risk of miscarriage, and at the same time improve the delivery ability of ewes and avoid dystocia.
Disease prevention: Keep the pens clean, disinfect regularly, and do a good job of vaccination and deworming to reduce the impact of diseases on ewes and fetuses.
1. How to determine whether a ewe is pregnant
Stop estrus: If the ewe does not show signs of estrus one month after mating, it means that the ewe is pregnant.Appetite changes: In the early stages of pregnancy, ewes may experience a decrease in appetite. This is because physiological changes such as embryo implantation and placenta formation consume a lot of energy for the ewe, and the secretion of progesterone will also affect its appetite.
Character changes: Pregnant ewes will become quieter and more docile, running and playing less frequently, and choosing to lie down and rest more often. This change is the natural reaction of the ewe to provide the best conditions for fetal development.
Not accepting rams to mount, water gate changes: Pregnant ewes do not accept rams to mount, and if rams attempt to mount, they will avoid it. During pregnancy, the scrotum is pink and tightly closed, and transparent mucus occasionally flows out.
Changes in blood vessels above the pupil: lift the ewe's upper eyelid and observe whether there is an upright, thick, purple-red blood vessel just above its pupil.
If these characteristics appear on the ewe, then congratulations, this means that the ewe you raise is pregnant, and the next step is to do a good job of feeding and managing the pregnant ewe.
2. Feeding and management of pregnant ewes
Group feeding: Pregnant ewes should be raised separately from other sheep. This not only allows management according to the special needs of pregnant ewes, but also better ensures the safety of the fetus and ensures healthy development.Reasonable feed management: Pregnant ewes need to take in enough nutrition to meet their own and fetal needs. At this time, the breeder should provide good quality and easily digestible feed. Ewes with a thin physique should be fed more concentrated feed and ensure balanced nutrition.
Moderate exercise: Moderate exercise can enhance the physique of ewes, promote fetal development, reduce the risk of miscarriage, and at the same time improve the delivery ability of ewes and avoid dystocia.
Disease prevention: Keep the pens clean, disinfect regularly, and do a good job of vaccination and deworming to reduce the impact of diseases on ewes and fetuses.
3. The best time to test for pregnancy in ewes
The gestation period of sheep is generally 146-161 days. Generally speaking, the earliest time to perform an in vitro ultrasound examination on ewes is 32 days after mating, and the best result is after 40 days.
portable vet ultrasound machine
Through these methods and management measures, breeding friends can determine whether the ewe is pregnant earlier and more accurately, and provide better care to ensure the healthy development of the fetus.
