Lamb Growth from Birth to Weaning: How to Maximise Your Flocks Potential

The first 90 days of a lambs life from birth to weaning are critical. This period sets the stage for growth, survival, and the overall productivity of your flock. Understanding how to manage nutrition, health, and environment can make the difference between average and exceptional performance.

Feeding Ewes for Maximum Lamb Growth

Spring is a busy time on farms. After a wet winter, ewes are ready for the new season and their energy needs skyrocket in early lactation. To help lambs reach their genetic growth potential, pasture levels should be maintained above 1200 kg DM/ha (roughly 4 cm depending on quality).

If grass growth is slow, consider supplements to fill the gap. Proper nutrition ensures ewes can produce enough milk for lambs to grow efficiently. While many flocks average 180 to 200 g per day growth in lambs, research shows that 300 to 400 g per day is achievable. Over 90 days, a 5 kg lamb can wean at 30 to 40 kg. Tracking kg of lamb weaned per ewe mated is a useful way to spot opportunities for improvement.

Lucerne versus Pasture

Some farms use lucerne to feed lactating ewes. When it suits the system, lucerne can boost:

• Lamb growth rates from tailing to weaning
• Kg of lamb weaned per hectare
• Ewe body condition at weaning

Tailing: Why Timing and Checks Matter

Tailing is not just routine it is a critical management tool. Key checks include:

• Parasite control: Perform a faecal egg count (FEC) to see if ewes need help with worms or to check how long acting drench products are performing
• Clostridial protection: As maternal antibodies decline, lambs are vulnerable to tetanus, pulpy kidney, and other clostridial diseases. Recording deaths between tailing and weaning helps decide which vaccines are needed
• Mineral supplementation: Cobalt as vitamin B12 and selenium are essential for lamb growth. While lambs are born with liver stores, these can drop before weaning so supplementation at tailing keeps growth on track

Preventing Flystrike for Health and Growth

Spring weather, calm, humid, and windy, is ideal for flies. Preventing flystrike protects lambs, reduces labour, and supports growth. Properly applied spray on prevention at tailing can safeguard lambs through the high risk period with minimal effort

Bottom Line: Careful management from birth to weaning, covering nutrition, parasite control, vaccination, minerals, and flystrike prevention, helps lambs reach their full potential and boosts overall flock productivity

Download the full Spring 2025 Sheep, Beef, Deer, Dogs newsletter for more practical advice.