Preparing Ewes for Tupping Time

As the summer comes to an end and autumn approaches, sheep farmers turn their focus to preparing their ewes for tupping season. Tupping (the mating period) is a crucial time in the farming calendar as it sets the foundation for a successful lambing season. 

Ensuring ewes are in optimal health and condition is key to maximising lamb numbers and the overall welfare of the flock. In this guide, we'll walk you through the key steps for preparing ewes, from body condition scoring to choosing the best shears for tupping preparation.

Ewes in poor condition may risk reabsorbing a lamb if their nutritional needs are not met. In the weeks leading up to tupping, it's crucial to provide ewes with the right nutrition to build them up.

• Boluses and Mineral Blocks: If ewes are deficient in minerals such as selenium or cobalt, consider administering a bolus to boost their metabolism and improve their overall condition. Boluses are typically given twice a year, in September and February, or you can opt for mineral blocks placed in the field.

Choosing the right shears can make the process of dagging or tailing much more efficient. Whether you're looking for cordless or mains-powered shears, it's important to select tools that are designed for durability, ease of use, and comfort, especially if you're handling a large flock.

• Cordless Shears:  Cordless shears offer great flexibility, allowing you to move around the pen without being restricted by cables. They're easy to handle and ideal for farmers who want convenience. Our Outback heavy duty shears are ideal for dagging and shearing larger flocks. For small holders, our cordless HD Roamer clipper has the advantage of offering a variety of clipper blades to clip a range of livestock to clip horses, donkeys and shear small numbers of alpacas, llamas and goats. 
• Mains-Powered Shears: Mains-powered shears are capable of handling longer shearing sessions. These are best for farmers looking for long-lasting power and efficiency for back to back shearing and dagging of small to larger flocks. Our Ewe 2000 shears weigh just 1kg and are the ideal choice for shearing and dagging small flocks. They can also be used to clip a variety of livestock when purchased with the A2 clipping head. 

We offer a range of high-quality shears specifically designed for farmers and small holders, whether you need the flexibility of a cordless model or the consistent power of mains-powered shears. Our tried and tested shears ensure the job gets done right, making tupping preparation as smooth as possible.

Ewes come into season for about 30 hours every 17 days, and during this time, the ram can detect the hormonal changes signalling oestrus. This is done through his olfactory senses using the Jacobson’s organ , allowing him to identify when a ewe is ready for tupping. Interestingly, ewes will also seek out the ram when they are ready to be mated.

Once a ewe has been successfully tupped, she will lose interest in the ram. The darkest colour of the raddle mark on her fleece is a clear indicator of when the ewe was serviced. This information is particularly helpful for planning lambing, especially when space in the lambing shed is limited.

To optimise fertility, many farmers introduce a teaser tup before the breeding rams are placed with the ewes. A teaser tup is a vasectomised ram, which stimulates ewes to synchronise their cycles without actually mating them. By introducing a teaser tup 14 days before the rams, farmers can ensure that a higher percentage of ewes will be in season when the breeding rams are introduced. This can lead to a more compact lambing period, making flock management more efficient.

Typically, ewes are brought into the lambing pens approximately three weeks before their due date. This allows their diet to be adjusted to support the final stages of gestation and ensure the birth of healthy lambs. Knowing the precise conception date of each ewe is invaluable for efficient lambing management, so documenting these dates throughout the tupping process is essential.