Messages

1

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: I am kicking around the ideal of A.I.

« on: December 27, 2016, 05:55:30 am »

It is definitely at least a 3 month management plan to get ewes ready for LAI, however in terms of conception rates, I will say we got 100%, using Tad Thompsons protocol, frozen semen, and a local LAI tech.  The tech does claim that the semen collected by Reproductive Specialty Group is the best quality he uses in all species, sheep, goats and deer.  The only variation we made was using the Vitaferm Concept Aid mineral instead of the one Tad reccomends.  Do your homework, best conception rates are in 2-5 year old ewes that have carried previous twin pregnancy, that in proper body condition, proper vaccinations, proper handling, ect.  Alot of factors to consider. 

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Lost CIDR

« on: November 18, 2016, 06:54:44 pm »

16 days after my intended synch date the ewe with the lost cidr has marked.  Do you think she will settle? Is it safe to assume that if that cidr is still in there, the hormones are gone?

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Lost CIDR

« on: November 01, 2016, 06:07:14 pm »

Well, it doesn't look the one with the missing CIDR is gonna get bred this cycle, hopefully she will get bred in the next couple weeks. 

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Lost CIDR

« on: October 30, 2016, 06:25:40 am »

We have a ewe that lost her CIDR and I can't find it.  She was in a 5x15 pen with another ewe, so it is possible that the other ewe pulled it out, but I have checked the pen and can't find it.  Dogs have access to one 5ft side of the pen, so there is a slim chance that a dog got it out of the pen.  I have felt inside the ewe, as much as she will tolerate and don't feel anything.  I have been reading cattle forums about retained CIDRS and now I am concerned that it is in there and I can't find it.  Any suggestions?

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: LAI results

« on: October 03, 2016, 04:43:00 am »

Limiting Alfalfa is due to plant estrogen influence on the ewes own hormone cycle, not sure about the limiting corn.  Interesting about the wheat hay.  I had an Amish sheep farmer in Western PA, that my dad sells a lot of hay to, tell me he flushes his ewes with whole wheat, not corn, because it significantly increases his number of triplets.  Never really thought about it until you said wheat hay, maybe there is something to that.

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: LAI results

« on: October 02, 2016, 09:01:21 am »

We had a long haul last year to our AI clinic, 5 hrs each way.  Bred 6 frozen semen from Viking.  Got 3 to settle.  This year we did 5 with frozen semen from Shroyer.  30min haul to AI Clinic. Got 4 to settle and the other one got a perforated rumen and had to have an open abdominal surgery to repair it, so she didn't even get the semen. 

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Infertile ram

« on: September 02, 2016, 06:05:05 am »

Did the seller provide you with a semen test prior to shipping the ram?  Shipping can be really hard on fertility.  Siring 30 lambs only proves that he was fertile 1yr ago, not that he was fertile just prior to the sale.  When we have shipped rams long distances, we have semen check prior to sale to hold as proof of fertility at time of sale.  Then explain that the buyer is responsible for fertility issues that occur do to disease or transport stress.  If they have that, then I would say you are stuck for at least another 60 days to see if he remains infertile, or if it is temporary do to transport.

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Electrolytes

« on: August 20, 2016, 09:35:33 pm »

Mercy Blue Ribbon sheep and goat electrolytes

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: LAI protocol

« on: August 04, 2016, 05:37:19 am »

Is there a recommendation for how much wool growth is acceptable at time of producer?  Like now more than 30 or 60 days? 

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / LAI protocol

« on: August 03, 2016, 03:33:12 pm »

Will someone share their LAI protocol with me, and who recommended it to you? 

We used a protocol last year, but the company doing our AI work is recommending a different one this year, I just want to see if there is one that is best or at least most often recommended.  Thanks

11

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Humping on Brace

« on: July 18, 2016, 07:20:07 pm »

If the lamb roaches when it walks around loose, it will always roach when braced, it the lamb walks around level when loose in the pen, then it is a showmanship problem.  Roach in is either poor structure or poor showman, never a feed problem

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Appetite help

« on: July 11, 2016, 07:19:47 am »

Concept Aid mineral is made by Biozyme, the same company that makes the Sure Champ.  They have a Concept Aid mineral formulated for each species with Amaferm added.  So it covers their mineral needs with a daily feed through rumen stimulant (Amaferm)  to get the best feed efficiency.  Feed according to the directions at 1-1.5oz per head daily, we just top dress it in the grain the ewes get fed. 

13

All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Appetite help

« on: July 10, 2016, 06:43:03 pm »

Yes , we used to struggle with fussy eaters especially in the heat of summer, since Sure Champ, they all clean up what ever we let them have in under 30min, even those March lambs that we are really pushing for October shows.  Honor says they add Amaferm, but obviously not at the same levels as the Sure Champ.  We use the the Vitaferm Concept Aid mineral in our ewe flock as well in the past year, best conception  rate ever and ewes require less grain to maintain condition.  So, I guess they have me hooked, which is why I haven't tried Gut Candy.  As they say, if it ain't broke. ..

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Appetite help

« on: July 10, 2016, 12:50:11 pm »

Just as a reference point we have a 130# wether getting 4oz of Sure Champ, a hand full of alfalfa hay, and 1 1/4 # of Honor text feed twice a day, that has been gaining a # per day, despite treadmilling 3 days a week.  I think appetite and performance are directly tied to rumen function.  Figure he is gaining like that without even consuming 3 % of body weight in feed.  But he has gotten Sure Champ every day since weaning in April.

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All Sheep and Lamb Discussion / Re: Appetite help

« on: July 10, 2016, 08:09:14 am »

Are you feeding any supplement for appetite?  We started using one a few years ago and the lambs pretty much act like they are starving all the time and will eat what ever and what ever you put in front of them, wet or dry.  We have used both Fast Track and Sure Champ.  Others I know have had success with Gut Candy