Getting ready for lambing and kidding
4
Getting Ready for Lambing & Kidding 11/19/11 1 SUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy‐nē‐ŭn) Sheep & Goat Specialist Western Maryland Research & Education Center [email protected] ‐ www.sheepandgoat.com Seventy (70) percent of fetal growth is occurring. Most of the female’s udder development is occurring. Her rumen capacity is decreasing. She’s eating less. NEEDS INTAKE A more nutrient‐dense diet To compensate for reduced feed intake. To support fetal growth. To support udder development development. To prevent pregnancy toxemia and milk fever. To ensure birth of strong, healthy babies of moderate size (weight). Poor nutrition can cause Angora does to abort (90‐ 110 d). Remember: animals need amounts (lb, g) of nutrients ‐‐ not percentages. Energy is the nutrient most likely to be deficient, but protein can also be deficient in the diet, due to reduced intake. Nutrient requirements vary by Nutrient requirements vary by species, breed, size, age, and number of fetuses. Grain is often necessary to meet increase energy needs of pregnant females. If a low quality forage is fed, it may also be necessary to provide supplemental Ca and/or protein. Remember: animals need amounts (lb, g) of nutrients ‐‐ not percentages. UNDERFEEDING Pregnancy toxemia risk Smaller, weaker babies Reduced colostrum OVERFEEDING Pregnancy toxemia risk More likely to prolapse their vaginas. quality and quantity Higher neonatal mortality Reduced milk yield Reduced wool production via fewer secondary follicles (in the offspring). Greater risk of dystocia (difficult birthing). Too much internal fat Oversized fetuses Expensive! Calcium requirements virtually double during late pregnancy, but you need to avoid excessive calcium too calcium, too. Milk fever is caused by low blood calcium Pre‐partum ▪ Inadequate intake of Ca Post‐partum (dairy does) ▪ Failure to mobilize Ca reserves
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Transcript of Getting ready for lambing and kidding
Getting Ready for Lambing & Kidding 11/19/11
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SUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy‐nē‐ŭn)Sheep & Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education [email protected] ‐ www.sheepandgoat.com
Seventy (70) percent of fetal growth is occurring.Most of the female’s udder development is occurring.Her rumen capacity is decreasing.She’s eating less.
NEEDS
INTAKE
A more nutrient‐dense dietTo compensate for reduced feed intake.To support fetal growth.To support udder developmentdevelopment.To prevent pregnancy toxemia and milk fever.To ensure birth of strong, healthy babies of moderate size (weight).
Poor nutrition can cause Angora does to abort (90‐110 d).
Remember: animals need amounts (lb, g) of nutrients ‐‐ not percentages.
Energy is the nutrient most likely to be deficient, but protein can also be deficient in the diet, due to reduced intake.Nutrient requirements vary by Nutrient requirements vary by species, breed, size, age, and number of fetuses.Grain is often necessary to meet increase energy needs of pregnant females.If a low quality forage is fed, it may also be necessary to provide supplemental Ca and/or protein. Remember: animals need amounts
(lb, g) of nutrients ‐‐ not percentages.
UNDERFEEDING
Pregnancy toxemia riskSmaller, weaker babiesReduced colostrum
OVERFEEDING
Pregnancy toxemia riskMore likely to prolapse their vaginas.
quality and quantityHigher neonatal mortalityReduced milk yieldReduced wool production via fewer secondary follicles (in the offspring).
gGreater risk of dystocia (difficult birthing).
Too much internal fatOversized fetuses
Expensive!
Calcium requirements virtually double during late pregnancy, but you need to avoid excessive calcium toocalcium, too.
Milk fever is caused by low blood calcium
Pre‐partum▪ Inadequate intake of CaPost‐partum (dairy does)▪ Failure to mobilize Ca reserves
Getting Ready for Lambing & Kidding 11/19/11
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POOR SOURCES
Feed stuff % Ca
Barley 0.06
Corn 0.02
GOOD SOURCES
Feed stuff % Ca
Limestone 34.0
Dicalciumphosphate 22.0
Oats , wheat 0.05 Trace minerals 14‐18
Dry kelp 2.72
Legumes 1.3‐1.5
INTERMEDIATE SOURCES
Feed stuff % Ca
Grasses 0.30‐0.50
Soybean meal 0.28‐0.38
Our soils are deficient in selenium.During late gestation, selenium crosses the placenta to the fetuses
Image source: Informed Farmers (Can)
placenta to the fetuses.
Low levels of selenium can result in . . .
Poor reproductive performanceRetain placentasWhite muscle disease in lambs and kids
Free choice mineral mixes usually provide adequate selenium (but do not guarantee adequate intake).Adding a selenium‐fortified Adding a selenium fortified mineral mix to the grain ration will ensure adequate intake of selenium and other minerals.Selenium and vitamin E can be supplemented orally (gels).On farms with a history of white muscle disease, selenium injections (Rx) may be advisable.
Make sure all ewes and does can eat at the same time.Separate pregnant ewe lambs and doelings from mature females.Remove males after breeding season.Do not feed on the ground.
Stress can predispose pregnant ewes and does to many problems.
Minimize stress during late pregnancy
Missed feedingsShearing, crutchingMoving, handlingMixing groupsDogs
Lack of exercise may increase the chances of pregnancy toxemia and other problems.
Daily exercise is recommended throughout pregnancy.Exercise can be encouraged by separating feed, water, and minerals.
Getting Ready for Lambing & Kidding 11/19/11
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Vaccinate pregnant females approximately 1 month (at least 2 weeks) before they are due to lamb/kidlamb/kid.
Lambs and kids will acquire temporary, passive immunity via the colostrum.
Females never vaccinated before require two injections, 4 weeks apart.
Ewes and does suffer a temporary loss of immunity to stomach worms around the time of parturition.
If lambing or kidding occurs in the spring, the egg rise coincides with the hypobiotic larvae resuming their life cycle.
Traditional approachDeworm ewes and does prior to parturition.▪ Use an anthelmintic that
has efficacy against hypobiotic larvae (e g hypobiotic larvae (e.g. ivermectin, SafeGuard)
Novel approachesIncrease level of protein in late gestation ration.Use the FAMACHA© system and Five Point Check© to determine which ewes and does require deworming.
In feed or mineralBovatec® ‐ sheepRumensin® ‐ goatsDeccox® both
Why?To prevent coccidiosis in lambs and kids.▪ Reduce shedding of Deccox® ‐ both gcoccidia organism into environment.
As an aid to prevent abortions caused by Toxoplasma gondii.
Coccidiostats, especially Rumensin® can be toxic to equines and dogs.
Why? To prevent abortion.▪ If the flock has a history of
diagnosed abortions.▪ In the event of an abortion
stormstorm.
How?Feed chlorotetracycline(aureomycin) at a rate of 80 mg/head/day during the last 6 weeks of gestation.Inject oxytetracycline (LA‐200) at two week intervals during late gestation [Rx].
Results in cleaner, drier, healthier environment for babies.Shorn ewes are less likely to lay on their lambslay on their lambs.Shorn ewes are more likely to seek shelter for lambing.Shorn animals take up less space in the barn and around feeders.Results in cleaner fleeces.But . . . shorn animals require shelter and more feed.
Getting Ready for Lambing & Kidding 11/19/11
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FACILITIES
Clean, dry, draft‐free building
D
SUPPLIES
Frozen colostrumEsophageal feeding tubeOB sleeves and lubricant
Drop areaSmall pens (jugs)Mixing pens
Clean, well‐rested pastureShelterEmergency pens
Disinfectant for dipping navelsProlapse harness or spoonNeedles and syringesPropylene glycolCalcium borogluconateAntibioticsBo‐SeThermometerMore…
DO’S
Increase nutrition (gradually)Feed pregnant ewe lambs and doelings separately
DON’TS
OverfeedUnderfeedStress females
g p yEncourage daily exerciseMinimize stressVaccinate for CD‐TManage periparturient egg riseFeed a coccidiostatShear or crutch femalesPrepare facilitiesGather/inventory supplies
Stress femalesIntroduce new animalsChange groupingsLeave males inWorry
Thank you for your attention.
Any questions?
Susan [email protected]
