Ewe Late-Pregnancy Nutrition Management
Nutrition is important throughout pregnancy, but it becomes especially critical in the final weeks before lambing. During late gestation, ewes are at risk for pregnancy toxemia, a metabolic condition that occurs when energy intake doesn’t keep up with energy demand.
In the last 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy, nearly 80% of fetal growth takes place. As lambs grow, they take up more space in the ewe’s abdomen, leaving less room for the rumen and limiting feed intake. Ewes carrying twins or triplets are at highest risk because their energy needs increase even more.
Signs of Pregnancy Toxemia
Early signs may appear 1 to 3 weeks before lambing and include:
- Decreased appetite
- Spending more time lying down
- Reduced alertness
As the condition progresses, you may notice:
- Severe fatigue or listlessness
- Muscle twitching or spasms
If you notice any of these signs, call your veterinarian right away. While treatment can be successful, good nutrition and planning greatly reduce the risk.
Monitoring Body Condition Score (BCS) in Ewes
Checking body condition at breeding and mid‑gestation allows you time to make any necessary nutrition adjustments and helps ensure ewes enter late pregnancy in the right shape. Body condition score (BCS) is based on a 5-point scale. Most ewes will have a body condition score between 2 and 4, with a majority of producers targeting a BCS of 3 throughout the year.
The ideal BCS for ewes at lambing is between 3 and 3.5. Maintaining ewes within this range helps balance their energy reserves with their physical capacity to support healthy lamb growth. Ewes in optimal condition have enough stored fat to meet the high metabolic demands of late gestation and early lactation, without carrying so much weight that rumen capacity is compromised. At this score, the ewe’s backbone should be well covered, and the vertical ridge of the spine can be felt with slight pressure.
Ewes that are either under-conditioned or over-conditioned face a higher risk of complications during late gestation and lambing, and their lambs may begin life at a disadvantage. Ewes with a BCS of 1 or 2 typically require additional nutrition well before lambing to improve their condition. Lambs born to under-conditioned ewes are often smaller, less vigorous and are more likely to struggle during early life.
On the opposite end, ewes with a BCS of 4 or 5 are at an increased risk of pregnancy toxemia. Excess body fat leads to greater mobilization of fat, which in turn raises ketone production and can worsen energy metabolism problems. Over-conditioned ewes may also give birth to larger lambs, placing additional energy demands on the ewe during late gestation.
If ewes are too heavy, it is best to adjust their diet before breeding or early in gestation. Avoid reducing body condition late in pregnancy—restricting energy intake at this stage can increase the risk of pregnancy toxemia, as the ewe cannot consume enough feed to meet her elevated nutritional needs.
Not sure how to fine‑tune nutrition plan to meet and maintain ideal ewe body condition? Your KENT Nutrition representative can help review your feeding program and build a late‑gestation plan tailored to your flock.
Lambing Supplies & Facility Preparation
Having your lambing supplies and facilities organized ahead of time can ease stress and help things run smoothly—especially during late-night checks or unexpected complications. While we hope many of these items won’t be needed, having them ready ensures you’re prepared for anything. Keep items stocked, labeled and stored where you can easily find them.
Essential Lambing Supplies Checklist
- Gloves
- Scissors
- Ewe restrainer
- Syringes
- Halter
- Navel dip (7% iodine or 2-4% chlorhexidine): Dip navels as soon as possible after birth to help kill bacteria and dry up cord. If it has been several hours since birth, dipping may be less effective if cord is already contaminated.
- Towels: Helpful for drying and warming lambs when needed, though most ewes take care of this naturally by licking them.
- OB lubricant
- Bottles and nipples for feeding colostrum or milk replacer
- Stomach (feeding) tube: If lambs are too weak to nurse on their own, a feeding tube can help get colostrum or milk directly into their stomach. Only use if trained, as incorrect placement can cause aspiration.
- Colostrum supplement or replacer: Colostrum is essential for getting lambs off to a strong start, so keeping a supplement or replacer on hand is crucial. You can use a commercially available replacer or collect colostrum directly from a healthy ewe. Within the first few hours after birth, collect 3 to 4 ounces and freeze it for later use. When needed, thaw the colostrum gently in warm water. Never microwave it, as high heat destroys the antibodies the lamb depends on.
- Milk replacer: For orphaned lambs, milk replacer can be used until weaning. Choose a lamb‑specific formula such as KENT Lamb Milk Formula to ensure they are getting the proper nutrition.
- Heat lamp or warming area: Lambs may have difficulty regulating their body temperature in cold weather conditions. Providing a source of heat can help lambs stay warm and dry off more quickly. Ensure safe placement away from bedding and where ewes cannot access it.
Lambing Facilities
Move ewes into a clean, well‑bedded area where they can be monitored closely as lambing approaches. This may be a lambing pen in the barn or a designated area in the pasture, depending on your management system. Cleanliness is essential—provide fresh bedding and clean out areas that become soiled to help reduce disease risk. Good ventilation is important for air quality, but avoid creating drafts, since newborn lambs cannot regulate body temperature well.
After lambing, many producers use individual jug pens to encourage bonding and make monitoring easier. Clean and re‑bed jugs between each ewe and lamb group to reduce disease risk.
Work With Your Veterinarian
A strong relationship with your veterinarian is invaluable during lambing season. Together, you can build vaccination and health protocols that fit your operation. In addition to pregnancy toxemia, discuss other potential complications such as dystocia, hypocalcemia, and ketosis so you can recognize signs early and act quickly.
Setting the Season Up for Success
Lambing season brings challenges—but with preparation, it also brings tremendous opportunity. By focusing on ewe nutrition, monitoring body condition, organizing supplies and creating a clean, comfortable lambing environment, you give your flock the best start possible.
