Pre-breeding and selection in sheep.
Prior to breeding, ewes should be evaluated for their need for anthelmintic treatment.
They should have their hooves trimmed. If there is a history or risk of abortions in the flock, ewes should be vaccinated prior to breeding. Only healthy, reproductively sound ewes should be exposed to rams for breeding. The udder of every ewe should be examined.
Those with hard lumps, abscesses, or unresolved should be culled. Ewes that prolapsed should not be kept for breeding, because there is a high probability for recurrence. Ewes that did not raise a lamb should be culled. Ewes that are in poor body condition due to age and/or missing teeth should be culled. Ewes with chronic hoof problems (e.g. foot rot) should be culled.
