How Mineral Preparation Impacts Lamb Survival During Lambing Season

Lamb survival is largely determined during gestation, with mineral preparation playing a critical, often undervalued, role in outcomes such as lamb vigor, colostrum quality, and early immune function. This report outlines the minerals most influential during lambing season and practical steps to build an effective mineral strategy.

Advice from the Experts

BioZyme specializes in vitamin and mineral supplements to support reproductive success and flock health. The DuraFerm line provides nutritional support aimed at digestion and reproductive performance throughout production, including lambing season. This resource summarizes how to prepare for lambing season and select a mineral supplement that increases lamb vigor and supports performance in the field.

Why Survival Starts During Gestation

Survival is influenced by fetal growth during the final six to eight weeks of pregnancy, when growth accelerates and nutrient requirements climb as the ewe supports both maintenance and developing lambs. Approximately 70 percent of lamb growth occurs in the last trimester. Shortfalls in key minerals during this period can manifest later as:

• Weak or slow-to-stand lambs
• Poor colostrum quality
• Lower birth weights
• Reduced vigor
• Increased disease susceptibility
• Higher death loss

Mineral's Role During Lambing Season

Minerals support numerous physiological functions that influence lamb survival. When ewes enter lambing season properly prepared, these systems work smoothly; deficiencies can undermine outcomes even with good management.

Selenium and Vitamin E: The Muscle and Immunity Team

Selenium is a well established trace mineral in sheep production, supporting muscle development, antioxidant protection, and immune function. Deficiencies can be associated with white muscle disease, weak lambs, and poor suckling reflexes. During lambing season, adequate selenium status can distinguish a lamb that stands quickly and nurses effectively from one that struggles. Vitamin E acts in concert with selenium to enhance these protective effects.

Copper: A Delicate Balance

Copper must be carefully balanced in sheep. Insufficient copper impairs growth, fertility, and immune response, while excess copper can be toxic. When managed through sheep-specific mineral programs, copper supports enzyme function, red blood cell formation, immune competence, and wool quality. Precision in formulation and copper levels is essential.

Zinc: Skin, Hooves, and Defense

Zinc is critical for tissue integrity and immune response, including skin and hoof health, wound healing, colostrum production, and disease resistance. For newborn lambs, zinc strengthens primary barriers against illness by supporting skin and mucosal tissues.

Calcium and Magnesium: The Metabolic Engine

Calcium and magnesium are macrominerals essential for muscle contractions, including uterine contractions during labor, and for metabolic stability. Deficiencies can contribute to difficult deliveries, prolonged labor, and increased stress on both ewe and lamb.

Colostrum: The First Immunity Checkpoint

Colostrum intake within the first hours of life is a strong predictor of lamb survival. Mineral status influences both the quantity and antibody concentration of colostrum. Proper mineral supplementation tends to increase colostrum volume and antibody levels, supporting early immunity. Delayed or reduced colostrum leaves lambs vulnerable, making gestational mineral status a preventative priority.

Mineral Intake Challenges During Gestation

Even with supplementation, intake can be inconsistent due to selective feeding, weather-driven changes, forage mineral variability, and cold stress. Common challenges include:

• Overconsumption or underconsumption of loose minerals
• Forage binding of minerals reducing bioavailability
• Competition at feeders
• Palatability issues

Organic or chelated minerals are often absorbed more efficiently than inorganic forms, helping ensure nutrients reach the ewe. Mineral supplements such as those in the DuraFerm line, powered by AO-Biotics Amaferm, can enhance digestibility and support reproductive success during gestation.

DuraFerm Options

Three formulations address different operational goals during gestation:

• DuraFerm Concept Aid Sheep free-choice mineral for year-round nutrition that supports reproductive success and includes Amaferm for digestibility and vitamin E for reproductive tract support, using organic trace minerals
• DuraFerm Concept Aid Sheep Protein Tub a protein tub with minerals for sheep; a 125-pound tub containing the Concept Aid mineral package in a 16 percent protein base; supports embryo production and conception with organic trace minerals and vitamin E; contains Amaferm
• DuraFerm Concept Aid HEAT Sheep free-choice mineral with heat tolerance support; includes HEAT technology a blend of essential oils and garlic to aid during high temperatures, while maintaining the Concept Aid mineral package with Amaferm and vitamin E

Building a Mineral Strategy for Lambing Season Success

• Test forages and feedstuffs to determine baseline mineral content and identify deficiencies
• Use a sheep-specific mineral formulation to avoid unsafe copper levels and ensure balanced ratios
• Start supplementation early, ideally 30 days pre lambing through 30 days post breeding, with ongoing use for year-round nutrition
• Monitor intake to ensure target amounts are consumed

The Payoff

Effective mineral preparation yields observable benefits during lambing season, including:

• Increased lamb vigor
• More aggressive nursing
• Fewer health treatments
• Lower death loss
• Healthier, more uniform groups

Final Thoughts

Lambing season presents long hours and vigilance. Mineral preparation may be one of the most impactful components of a comprehensive ewe nutrition program, supporting ewe health, colostrum quality, immune strength, and lamb vigor, thereby enhancing survival long before the first lamb is born.

Hit the Ground Running with Quality Nutrition

Prepare for lambing season with vitamin and mineral supplements designed for sheep; product lines include free-choice minerals and protein tubs that support reproductive success and digestibility. Availability is through the BioZyme dealer network. The DuraFerm Sheep Gestation Calculator can assist planning matings and evaluating nutrition strategies. Sign up for ongoing education on sheep nutrition and management through the provider's communications.

Contact

6010 Stockyards Expressway, St. Joseph, Missouri 64504

Phone 816-238-3326

Connect

• Dealer Login
• Partner Login
• BioZyme B4
• Become a Dealer
• Refer a Dealer

Follow

• Keep all facts, data, statistics, and claims truthful to the original
• No links in the body content
• The body must end with the source attribution line