Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Presentation given at the 2011 Lambing & Kidding School in Wye Mills, MD, by Susan Schoenian, University of Maryland Extension Sheep & Goat Specialist.
Citation preview
Getting ready for lambing and kiddingSUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy-nē-ŭn)Sheep & Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education [email protected] - www.sheepandgoat.com
What’s happening during the last 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy?
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
Extra nutrition is usually needed.
A more nutrient-dense diet To compensate for
reduced feed intake. To support fetal growth. To support udder
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.
Nutrition during late gestation
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 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.
Consequences of poor nutritionUNDERFEEDING
Pregnancy toxemia risk
Smaller, weaker babies
Reduced colostrum quality and quantity
Higher neonatal mortality
Reduced milk yield Reduced wool
production via fewer secondary follicles (in the offspring).
OVERFEEDING
Pregnancy toxemia risk
More likely to prolapse their vaginas.
Greater risk of dystocia (difficult birthing). Too much internal fat Oversized fetuses
Expensive!
Calcium (Ca)
Calcium requirements virtually double during late pregnancy, but you need to avoid excessive 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
Calcium sources
POOR SOURCES
Feed stuff % Ca
Barley 0.06
Corn 0.02
Oats , wheat 0.05
GOOD SOURCES
Feed stuff % Ca
Limestone 34.0
Dicalcium phosphate 22.0
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
Selenium (Se) and vitamin E
Our soils are deficient in selenium.
During late gestation, selenium crosses the placenta to the fetuses.
Low levels of selenium can result in . . . Poor reproductive
performance Retain placentas White muscle disease
in lambs and kids
Image source: Informed Farmers (Can)
Selenium supplementation Free choice mineral mixes
usually provide adequate selenium (but do not guarantee adequate intake).
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.
Feed bunk management
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
Stress can predispose pregnant ewes and does to many problems.
Minimize stress during late pregnancy Missed feedings Shearing, crutching Moving, handling Mixing groups Dogs
Exercise
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.
VaccinationClostridium perfringins type C & D and tetanus
Vaccinate pregnant females approximately 1 month (at least 2 weeks) before they are due to lamb/kid. Lambs and kids will
acquire temporary, passive immunity via the colostrum.
Females never vaccinated before require two injections, 4 weeks apart.
Periparturient egg rise“around the time of giving birth”
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.
Management options
Traditional approach Deworm ewes and does
prior to parturition.▪ Use an anthelmintic that
has efficacy against hypobiotic larvae (e.g. ivermectin, SafeGuard)
Novel approaches Increase level of protein in
late gestation ration. Use the FAMACHA©
system and Five Point Check© to determine which ewes and does require deworming.
Feed a coccidiostat1 month before lambing/kidding → weaning
In feed or mineral Bovatec® - sheep Rumensin® - goats Deccox® - both
Why? To prevent
coccidiosis in lambs and kids.▪ Reduce shedding of
coccidia organism into environment.
As an aid to prevent abortions caused by Toxoplasma gondii.
Coccidiostats, especially Rumensin® can be toxic to equines and dogs.
Feed or inject antibiotics
Why? To prevent abortion.▪ If the flock has a history of
diagnosed abortions.▪ In the event of an abortion
storm.
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].
Shear or crutch before lambing Results in cleaner, drier,
healthier environment for babies.
Shorn ewes are less likely to lay 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.
Get facilities and supplies ready
FACILITIES
Clean, dry, draft-free building Drop area Small pens (jugs) Mixing pens
Clean, well-rested pasture Shelter Emergency pens
SUPPLIES
Frozen colostrum Esophageal feeding tube OB sleeves and lubricant Disinfectant for dipping
navels Prolapse harness or spoon Needles and syringes Propylene glycol Calcium borogluconate Antibiotics Bo-Se Thermometer More…
Do’s and don’t during late gestation
DO’S
Increase nutrition (gradually)
Feed pregnant ewe lambs and doelings separately
Encourage daily exercise Minimize stress Vaccinate for CD-T Manage periparturient
egg rise Feed a coccidiostat Shear or crutch females Prepare facilities Gather/inventory supplies
DON’TS
Overfeed Underfeed Stress females Introduce new
animals Change groupings Leave males in Worry
