Preparing for Tupping Time

Tupping time is a critical period in the sheep production cycle, determining when lambing will occur and how many lambs will be born. Careful preparation of both rams and ewes in advance of the breeding season is essential to achieve optimal conception rates. This results in a productive lamb crop that thrives through weaning. By following best practices for nutrition, health management, facilities, and record keeping, shepherds can set their flock up for reproductive success during tupping.

Preparing the Rams

Ensuring rams are in peak physical condition prior to turning them in with ewes is one of the most important elements of tupping preparation. Provide high quality feed with adequate protein several weeks beforehand to achieve the proper body condition score. Allow low-stress exercise through access to spacious paddocks or pasture. Examine feet and trim overgrown hooves if needed. Treat for internal and external parasites using effective dewormers and medicated baths. Check for any infections of the feet, eyes, skin or prepuce and administer antibiotics as necessary. Schedule a breeding soundness exam with your vet to evaluate soundness, physical condition, and semen quality. This will identify any potential issues like low sperm count or abnormalities that could hamper fertility.

Preparing the Ewes

Getting ewes in optimal breeding condition prior to tupping will help guarantee higher conception rates. Assess body condition score a few months ahead and adjust nutrition to achieve an ideal score of 3-4 out of 5. Provide mineral supplements and high quality forage. Administer booster vaccinations and parasite control treatment. Examine udders and feet, trimming overgrowth and treating any infections. Mark ewes with raddle harnesses before introducing the rams so you can monitor breeding activity. Develop organized breeding groups, keeping slower gaining ewes separate from more fit individuals to designate later lambing times. This allows better supervision during lambing. Implement strategies to induce or synchronize estrus cycles in ewes for concentrated lambing periods.

Facilities and Handling

Ensure all equipment, housing, fencing and handling facilities are in good working order prior to tupping. Mend any gaps or holes in fences where sheep could escape or get injured. Set up sturdy gates to divide paddocks so rams can be rotated between breeding groups. Provide shelter from sun, wind and rain. Have a well-lit area for close observation, sorting or assistance during lambing. Ensure water troughs are clean and full. Consider installing cameras or walkways above pens to monitor activity from a distance. Train sheep to come when called or shake a bucket of feed so they are easier to work with. Low stress handling allows closer observation for breeding activity and health issues during tupping.

Breeding Soundness Exams

Veterinary breeding soundness evaluations of rams are highly recommended prior to each tupping season. Through physical examination and semen analysis, vets can identify rams with low fertility issues like low sperm count, motility or morphology abnormalities. Catching these problems early allows time for treatment or replacement so all rams turned out for breeding can achieve good conception rates. Exams also assess potential pathology like testicular cysts, epididymitis, or seminal vesicle blockages. Vets will check for signs of lameness, infections, and body condition that could hinder a ram’s enthusiasm and stamina during intense breeding activity. Conduct exams at least 4-6 weeks before tupping so there is time to address any problems discovered.

Record Keeping

Accurate identification and record keeping for breeding groups support effective flock management. Ear tag all sheep with unique IDs. Create a breeding calendar noting dates for introduction and removal of rams from each group. Record ewe IDs, ram IDs and dates that breeding activity is observed. Document when raddle harness markings change color to track reproductive cycles. Transfer this breeding data to record cards for each individual ewe so lambing dates can be estimated. Details on birth type, lamb IDs, weights, health issues, and performance are added to these cards as the production cycle continues. Thorough record keeping aids in monitoring productivity and identifying issues to address.

Paying close attention to preparation, animal health, facilities and record keeping in the weeks leading up to tupping will set flocks up for reproductive success. Taking these steps to get rams and ewes ready for breeding allows for condensed lambing periods with excellent conception rates. Thorough planning and diligent oversight during tupping makes achievement of production goals more likely, leading to an abundance of vigorous lambs come springtime.