What Data to Capture for Each Ewe
When lambing occurs, there are a handful of key details worth recording on every ewe.
Lambing ease
Did the ewe lamb unassisted, need minor help, or require significant intervention? This impacts future breeding choices, as difficult lambings can indicate pelvic or genetic issues.
Reference: https://www.fas.scot/downloads/technical-note-tn747-recording-lamb-traits/
Litter size
Singles, twins, or triplets should all be noted. Some flocks aim for higher prolificacy, but knowing which ewes consistently rear multiples gives you insight into performance trends.
Mothering ability
Did the ewe look after her lambs well? Maternal behaviour, such as how quickly lambs are suckling or whether the ewe stays close, is a major predictor of success in future seasons.
Reference: https://www.fas.scot/downloads/technical-note-tn747-recording-lamb-traits/
Birth weights
Even simple birth weights give you more context on early growth potential.
Recording these allows you to compare year on year and make decisions based on real patterns in your flock rather than instinct.
How FlockFinder Helps
FlockFinder allows you to log litter size, lambing ease, maternal notes, and birth weights directly against each ewe’s digital profile.
Because the data is stored per animal, you can filter by lambing difficulty, compare litter performance across seasons, and instantly review historical records without searching through notebooks.
Why Track Fostered Lambs
Fostered lambs are common but can create confusion if they are not linked back to the correct ewe and birth event.
If you simply note that a lamb was adopted without connecting it to its biological dam, you lose important performance context. This affects maternal evaluation and breeding decisions later on.
Clear tracking protects the integrity of your data.
How FlockFinder Helps
FlockFinder allows you to link lambs to their biological dam while also recording fostering events in notes. This ensures maternal performance records remain accurate while still reflecting which ewe reared the lamb.
When reviewing performance data later, the full context is visible.
Using EID Tags From Day One
Electronic identification is not just about compliance. It is a management tool.
UK sheep identification rules require proper tagging and record keeping.
Reference: https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/animals-and-agriculture/sheep-identification-records-and-movement
Using EID correctly allows you to:
- Reduce identification errors
• Track treatments accurately
• Link lamb performance to specific ewes
• Build a reliable lifetime record
Early tagging strengthens long term data quality.
How FlockFinder Helps
FlockFinder integrates with EID workflows so each lambing event, treatment, and weight record attaches to the correct animal.
Scanning and recording in real time using our FDX reader ensures every action builds a complete history, which becomes invaluable during breeding and culling analysis.
How Lambing History Informs Breeding Decisions
A single year of records is useful. Three years of records are powerful.
When lambing data is consistently recorded, patterns become clear:
- Ewes that lamb unassisted every year
• Ewes that repeatedly require help
• Maternal lines with strong lamb growth
• Ewes with poor survival rates
Using lambing records strategically strengthens flock genetics and productivity over time.
How FlockFinder Helps
FlockFinder allows you to filter animals by lambing history, litter size, and performance metrics.
Because lambing records sit alongside weights, treatments, and body condition scores, you can analyse overall performance before selecting rams, planning tupping groups, or making breeding decisions.
Real Example: Three Years of Data Makes Culling Easier
Imagine reviewing three years of lambing records.
Ewe A
• Twins every year
• No assistance required
• Strong mothering
• Good lamb growth
Ewe B
• Assisted lambings
• Lost lambs
• Below average growth
Without organised data, these details rely on memory. With clear historical records, the culling decision becomes straightforward.
Instead of asking which ewe struggled two years ago, you can see the full performance history in seconds.
How FlockFinder Helps
FlockFinder stores multi year lambing data alongside weights, treatments, body condition scores, and breeding performance.
When it comes time to make decisions, you can simply click the Culling Analysis button.
Our system compiles all recorded data, including:
- Lambing ease
• Litter size
• Lamb growth rates
• Medical treatments
• Body condition trends
• Breeding performance
It then ranks animals based on factual performance, highlighting those most suitable for replacement.
Rather than guessing or relying on memory, you are presented with a priority ranked list built from your own flock’s data.
This turns years of careful record keeping into clear, confident action.
Conclusion
Data recorded at lambing has little value if it sits in a notebook and is never reviewed again. To benefit fully from lambing history, whether for breeding, culling, or long term planning, records must be accurate, organised, and accessible.
By capturing the right information now and storing it properly, you save time and reduce stress next season.
FlockFinder’s lambing records feature is designed to make that process simple, practical, and useful year after year.
Good lambing records today lead to better decisions tomorrow.
