Raising Show Lambs | Cornerstone Club Lambs

What Size Lamb To Select For Your Terminal Show

Janet — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 14:27:34 +0000

Starting With The Correct Weight

When you are first starting in the market lamb project, one of the hardest things to do is decide what size show lamb you will need to be competitive at your local show. You should try to select a lamb that will be easy to feed to it’s correct and desired endpoint or finishing weight.

Know Your Market Lamb Show Dates

Knowing your show dates and ownership deadlines are extremely important. Some shows have nomination or weigh-in dates to prove ownership for a specified number of days before the show. These dates help you determine the age and what size show lamb (weight) to purchase and at what time of year. Most shows require that lambs retain their milk teeth. Lambs generally hold their milk teeth until they are 12 to 14 months of age. Lambs without baby teeth (yearlings) are ineligible for show. Many lamb shows also have weight limit requirements that must be met. You will want to know these limits as well.

Average Daily Gain in Show Lambs

Under normal conditions, lambs will gain approximately 1/2 pound per day (average) over the course of the entire feeding period (yes there will be times when they exceed this rate and perform under this weight). So, if you know your purchase date and the number of days that you have before you reach the show or terminal event you can determine what size show lamb or weight you need to start with or purchase.

Calculating What Size Lamb To Select

You have 90 days until your expected terminal show. The show has a minimum weight limit of 90 lbs and a maximum weight limit of 160 lbs. If the average lamb gains 1/2 pound per day and your feeding period is 90 days then you should expect a lamb to gain approximately 45 pounds over the feeding period.

90 days x 1/2 lb per day = 45 lbs

That means that you should select a lamb that weighs between 55 and 105 lbs to start the project.

Minimum weight = 90 lbs

90 lbs – 45 lbs gained = 45 lbs at start + 10 for assurance = 55 lbs

Maximum weight = 160 lbs

160 lbs – 45 lbs gained = 115 lbs to start – 10 for assurance = 105 lbs

As you gain experience in the project, you will find it is much easier to hold a lamb to reduce its growth slightly and still maintain a show quality appearance. It can be exceptionally hard to put weight on a lamb at the end of a feeding period, especially if your are raising your project in the summer.

Heat, humidity, stress, changes in ration formulation, exercise, internal parasites and hauling to shows can dramatically impact growth and performance so it is best to start with a lamb in the mid point of the acceptable starting range.

Frame Size Matters

Remember, not all lambs can be fed to the same final weight because not all show lambs have the same size of frame. Identify a target terminal weight for each lamb that you are considering for purchase. Large frame lambs may be correctly finished at 150 pounds, while small or moderate frame lambs may be correctly finished at 105 -120 pounds. You must learn to look at and use indicators of frame size (length of head, neck, roundness of body or capacity, cannon bone and overall muscularity) and determine the weight at which a lamb will be correctly finished.

All lambs should have a minimum of .10 inches of external fat over the ribs and most lambs should have no more than .30 unless they are heavy muscled to be finished correctly.

Knowing Your Show Lamb Feed Requirements

If you know the approximate weight of a lamb at the time of purchase and the length of time until a show, you can calculate the feed requirements (light, moderate or heavy) needed to enable that lamb to enter the show at its proper show weight. Most lambs will require between 3-5 lbs of quality Dry Matter per day to gain 1 lb. The amount of crude protein required by lambs will vary throughout their growth cycle. In addition, the breed, growth potential, and projected finishing weight will influence growth potential and crude protein needs. Lambs at the creep-feeding phase need 18% – 20% crude protein, during the growing phase 50 to 90 pounds they need 16% – 18% crude protein and 80 pounds to finish them need 14% – 16% crude protein.

Remember that size does not make a good lamb. There are good little lambs and good big lambs and your management program is the key. However, knowing what size show lamb to start with will make sure you end up hitting your target weight when you get to your show.

Good luck!

Now that you know what size show lamb you are looking to purchase, be sure to read our 10 Essentials To Get Your Show Lamb Project Off To A Great Start or download our latest sheep ebook or tip sheet located at the top of our homepage.

The post What Size Lamb To Select For Your Terminal Show appeared first on Cornerstone Club Lambs.

10 Essentials To Get Your Show Lamb Project Off To A Great Start

Janet — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 16:21:14 +0000

It is always fun to raise a new market lamb and easy to get exciting about the having your best show season ever. Start by knowing the ten essentials (plus three key tips) when starting your show lamb project.

1. Two Sheep Are Better Than One

Sheep are flock animals and thus like the company of other animals. Having more than one lamb will allow your lamb to relax faster in their new surroundings. They are also more likely to thrive with a companion, as well as, stay on feet and be more enthusiastic about eating if they perceive a natural competition for food.

2. Housing

Prior to getting your sheep home you should prepare a clean, dust free pen to house your sheep. If you are going to exercise your lambs daily, an 8’ x 12’ pen is sufficient for two lambs. If you are not going to be exercising your lambs each day plan on having at least a 10’ x 14’ pen for two lambs. You will also want to be sure the area your lambs are kept is well ventilated but free of drafts.

3. Bedding

Make sure you change their bedding regularly to minimize the build up of ammonia. Cedar shavings work best, followed by pine shavings. If you choose to use pine shavings you will need to spray the shavings with vinegar until damp. This will prevent the lambs for eating the shavings. Do not use sawdust as the dust will aggravate the lambs and cause unnecessary coughing.

Rectal Prolapses in Lambs

Worms, coccidia, and dust are three of the main causes for rectal prolapses. Keeping your pens clean and dust free and your lambs dewormed will go a long way to minimize incidents of prolapses.

4. Club Lamb Fungus

If you purchase your show lamb project through an auction where lambs from multiple breeders are present, you will need to treat your lambs for Club Lamb Fungus. If you are unable to do this at the sale location, be sure to treat your lambs before taking them off of the trailer. Then spray down your trailer.

There are several commercial products available, however, we have had great success using Barbicide, which can be purchased at a fraction of the cost. Be sure to dilute the concentrate at a rate of 1 part Barbicide to 5 parts water. Use caution as you can burn your lamb’s skin if used at higher concentrations.

5. Start With The Same Feed

There are several things you will want to ask your breeder before taking your animal home. Be sure to find out what feed your lamb is currently eating, and if possible, get at least 25 pounds of the same feed to start. Oftentimes, breeders will give you some of their feed to help you acclimate your lamb.

Your lamb will be under stress as it gets accustomed to its new surroundings. By keeping them on the same feed, you will help to better manage this stress. If you are planning on feeding a different feed, start by adding no more than 25% of the new feed to the old. Then each day up the percentage until your lamb is completely on the new feed. Plan on this adjustment taking a week to 10 days.

Feeding Hay to Show Lambs

To reduce the appearance of big bellies, most show lambs receive a controlled amount of hay. It is recommended that they each receive at least a handful of hay (about the same amount that would fit inside a sandwich bag) twice a day. Even when feeding feed rations with higher fiber content, it is still recommended to give your lambs hay. Remember, they are rumenant animals. They will naturally process feed more efficiently and are less like to bite at or pull wool from other lambs when we allow their stomachs to work as designed. It doesn’t have to be a lot, but hay is a must.

6. Fresh Water

Lambs should always have access to fresh clean water. If watering out of a bucket, allow for each lamb to receive at least a gallon of water a day.

7. Vaccination

You will also want to ask the breeder when your lamb was last dewormed and if they have had their second shot of Covexin-8 or 7-Way plus tetanus. If they have not had their second dose, you will want to give them their booster. You can obtain the vaccine either at a sheep supply company or by asking for a dose from the breeder of your lamb. Once you have the vaccine, follow the label’s directions for proper dosage.

8. Deworming

If you are unsure of when your lamb was last dewormed, you should wait two weeks and then deworm them. Sheep are very susceptible to internal parasites. An infestation of worms or an outbreak in coccidia can drastically reduce feed efficiency, making it harder for your lamb to gain weight. Several common dewormers used by sheep breeders are not actually labeled for sheep. You should talk to your vet for a recommended deworming program. They will be able to tell you what dewormers will best meet your needs and climate.

Illegal Drugs in Show Lambs

With more and more shows cracking down on illegal drug use in show animals, you will want to build a strong relationship with your vet. Any off label use of any medication from dewormers to steroids to anti-itch cream could test positive in a drug test. If you encounter health issues with your lamb, always consult a vet before giving any medication that does not explicitly have sheep dosage on the label. No question is a dumb question when openly discussing the show ring and drugs. Talk to your vet! This is one area, where it is always better to be safe, then sorry.

9. Adjustment Period

When you first get your show lamb project home, be prepared to allow for an adjustment period. You will want to make sure your lamb is in a safely contained area where they cannot hurt themselves. You should refrain from working your lamb until they get use to you. Give them a few days to acclimate to their new surroundings and the new people in their lives. Don’t worry, it won’t take long once they realize you control the feed.

10. Shearing

If your lambs have not been shorn, you should shear them once you get them home. This will keep your lambs cooler, allowing them to grow more efficiently. Even in cooler temperatures, shearing is preferred as you can better gauged their conditioning and adjust their feed as necessary.

Congratulations on your new show lamb project! It is always exciting to start a new show year. Be sure to have your pens ready, as well as, your list of questions for the breeder. Then, remember to give your lambs time to acclimate to you and their new surroundings.

Have fun! And good luck!

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The post 10 Essentials To Get Your Show Lamb Project Off To A Great Start appeared first on Cornerstone Club Lambs.