The Department of Primary Industries Queensland has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in this publication is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject matter. Effect of udder damage Damage to the udder of a ewe will reduce her ability to rear lambs. Ewes with only one functional teat produce 65 per cent of the milk produced by a sound ewe, and rear 15 per cent fewer lambs. This is further reduced when the ewes are under nutritional stress.
Lambs born to ewes with unsound udders often perish, or have a slow growth rate, and are poddied.
These 'poddies' often die after marking. Three major surveys carried out in central and north-west Queensland showed that the incidence of udder damage ranged from 4 to 19 per cent. Mastitis causes the udder to become hard and swollen. This becomes very painful and ewes will straddle their hind legs when walking. With this pain, the ewes will not allow the lamb to suckle and the side dries up.