Late gestation

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 SUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy‐nē‐ŭn) Sheep & Goat Specialist Western Maryland Research & Education Center sschoen@umd.edu ‐ www.sheepandgoat.com Seventy (70) percent of fetal growth is occurring. of fetal growth is occurring Important time for udder development and colostrum production. NEEDS Rumen capacity is decreasing. decreasing Voluntary feed intake of feed is less, especially during last two weeks. INTAKE by Susan Schoenian 1

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 More feed ‐‐ but more importantly a more importantly, a more nutrient‐dense (better quality) diet. We want grain! To compensate for reduced feed intake. To meet demands of growing fetuses. To support udder development and colostrum production. To prevent pregnancy toxemia and milk fever. To ensure the birth of strong, healthy lambs of moderate size (weight). Energy (TDN) is the nutrient most likely to be deficient, but protein (CP) can also be deficient in the diet, due to a reduced intake of feed. Nutrient requirements vary: q y ▪ Breed ▪ Size (weight) ▪ Age (lamb vs. mature) ▪ Number of fetuses ▪ Environmentby Susan Schoenian 2

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 Concentrates are usually necessary to meet the increased energy needs of pregnant ewes, especially those carrying multiple fetuses. If a low‐quality forage is fed, it may also be necessary to provide supplemental calcium (Ca) and/or protein (CP) in the concentrate diet. Corn is only an energy supplement. Disease risk Pregnancy toxemia risk (TDN) Milk fever risk (Ca) Poorer immunity (CP) Higher neonatal mortality Smaller, weaker lambs Reduced colostrum quality and quantity. Poorer performance Reduced milk yield Reduced wool production (in the offspring) due to fewer secondary follicles.by Susan Schoenian 3

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 Pregnancy toxemia risk Milk fever risk (Ca) Ewes more likely to prolapse their vagina. Greater risk of dystocia (difficult birthing). Too much internal fat h lf Oversized fetuses Fat, lazy ewes Feed is expensive ‐ why do you want to overfeed it? Low blood sugar (glucose). g (g ) Caused by an inadequate intake of energy (TDN) during late pregnancy. Leads to a breakdown of fat (energy reserves) into toxic ketone bodies which overwhelm the capacity of the liver (also called “fatty liver disease”). Most commonly affects fat or thin ewes and those carrying multiple fetuses (also called “twin lamb disease”). Stress is another risk factor.by Susan Schoenian 4

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 GOOD SOURCES POOR SOURCES Feed stuff % TDN Feed stuff % TDN Corn 88 Poor quality hay < 50 Barley 84 Poor quality pasture < 50 Oats 76 By‐products < 50 [corn cobs, straw] By‐products ~75 [beet pulp, soy hulls, DDSG] Commercial (sack) feed ( ) ~72 7 INTERMEDIATE SOURCES Feed stuff % TDN Good quality hay > 55 Good quality pasture (low DM) > 60 Calcium (Ca) requirements virtually double during late pregnancy . . . but you need to avoid excessive calcium, too. Milk fever is low blood calcium. It is caused by inadequate Ca in the diet or a failure of the ewe to mobilize Ca reserves. It can occur anywhere from six weeks before lambing to 10 weeks after. 1. Pre‐partum (non‐dairy ewes) 2. Post‐partum (dairy ewes)by Susan Schoenian 5

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 GOOD SOURCES INTERMEDIATE SOURCES Feed stuff % Ca Feed stuff % Ca Limestone 34.0 Grasses 0.30‐0.50 Dicalcium phosphate 22.0 Soybean meal 0.28‐0.38 Trace minerals 14‐18 Complete (sack) feed 0.55 Dry kelp 2.72 Balancer pellet 1.60 Legume h L hays 1.3‐1.5 POOR SOURCES Feed stuff % Ca Corn 0.02 Oats , wheat 0.05 Barley 0.06 Image source: Informed Farmers (Can) Soils in the Northeast are considered low in Se. id d l i S During late gestation, selenium crosses the placenta to the fetuses. Low levels of selenium and/or vitamin E can result in . . . White muscle disease (lambs) 1. Congenital vs. acquired 2. Cardiac vs. skeletal Poor reproductive performance Poor performanceby Susan Schoenian 6

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 Free choice mineral mixes usually provide adequate selenium . . . but do not guarantee adequate intake. Adding a selenium‐fortified mineral mix to a concentrate ration will ensure adequate intake of selenium and other i t k f l i d th minerals. Selenium and vitamin E can be also supplemented orally via gels or pastes. On farms with a diagnosed history of white muscle disease or selenium deficiency, Se/Vitamin E injections may be given per the advice of a small ruminant veterinarian. Labeled dosage for Bo‐Se® [Rx] 1 ml/40 lbs. (1 ml min) for lambs Not labeled for lambs under 2 weeks of age Se Se deficiency toxicity 2.5 ml/100 lbs. for ewes Not labeled for pregnant ewesby Susan Schoenian 7

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 Make sure all ewes can eat at the same time. can eat at the same time Make sure all ewes get their fair share of all feed. Pay particularly close attention to ewes that are old or compromised in some way. Separate pregnant ewe lambs from S t t l b f mature ewes and feed separately. Remove rams after breeding season and feed separately. Do not feed on the ground. Stress can predispose This is my pregnant ewes to many special time. special time Leave me alone. problems. Minimize stress during late pregnancy. Examples: Missed feedings Erratic feeding schedule E i f di h d l Shearing, crutching Moving, handling Mixing groups Dogs Visitors Weather (be prepared)by Susan Schoenian 8

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 Lack of exercise may increase the chances of pregnancy toxemia and other problems. Daily exercise is recommended through‐out pregnancy. Exercise can be encouraged by separating feed, water, and minerals. Fit, active ewes have fewer problems. Vaccinate pregnant p g ewes approximately 1 month (but at least 2 weeks) before they are due to lamb. Lambs will acquire temporary, pass e u ty a t e passive immunity via the colostrum ‐‐ provided they consume adequate colostrum What is adequate? ~10% of BW in first 24 hoursby Susan Schoenian 9

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 Ewes not previously vaccinated will require two q vaccinations, 3‐4 weeks apart. If the dam was not vaccinated or the lamb did not consume adequate colostrum, the tetanus antitoxin should be given at the time of docking and/or castrating, especially if rubber rings are used. rubber rings are used Lambs from vaccinated dams should be vaccinated twice, 3 to 4 weeks apart, starting at 6 to 10 weeks of age. Ewes suffer a temporary loss of immunity to gastro‐ intestinal worms around the time of parturition. Fecal egg counts increase If lambing occurs in the spring, the egg rise will coincide with the hypobiotic yp (dormant) larvae resuming their life cycles. The periparturient egg rise is the primary source of infection for new lambs.by Susan Schoenian 10

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 Traditional approach Deworm all ewes prior to lambing (2‐4 weeks prior). ▪ Use an anthelmintic that is effective against hypobiotic larvae (e.g. ivermectin). New approaches Increase protein level in late gestation ration. t ti ti How much? NRC by 30% Use the FAMACHA© system and Five Point Check© to determine which ewes require deworming. In feed or mineral Why? [no withdrawal period] 1. FDA approval: to prevent FDA l t t 1. Bovatec® coccidiosis in lambs. 2. Deccox® Kill or inhibit coccidia 3. Rumensin® [Rx] 2. As an aid to prevent abortions caused by Toxoplasma gondii. 3. Rumen modifier: R difi propionic acid by‐pass protein digestive problems methane gas Coccidiostats, especially Rumensin® can be toxic to equines and dogs.by Susan Schoenian 11

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 Why? To prevent abortion To prevent abortion. 1. If the flock has a history of diagnosed abortions that can be controlled with antibiotics, e.g. Chlamydia, Vibrio. 2. In the event of an abortion storm. How? 1. y Feed chlortetracycline (aureomycin) at a rate of 80 mg/head/day during the last 6 weeks of gestation [OTC]. 2. Inject oxytetracycline (LA‐ 200) at two week intervals during late gestation [Rx]. Results in cleaner, drier, healthier environment for h l hi i f ewes and especially lambs. Shorn ewes are less likely to lay on their lambs. Shorn ewes are more likely to seek shelter for lambing. Shorn ewes take up less space in the barn and around feeders. Results in cleaner fleeces. But . . . shorn ewes require shelter and more feed. Image by Kelly Coleby Susan Schoenian 12

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 FACILITIES Clean, dry, draft‐free building Drop area Jugs (small pens for bonding) e.g. 5 ft. x 5 ft Individual feeders and waterers Grafting stanchion g Mixing pens Clean, well‐rested pasture Shelter Emergency jugs SUPPLIES (partial list) Colostrum source Esophageal feeding tube OB sleeves and lubricant Disinfectant for dipping navels Prolapse harness or spoon Needles and syringes Nipples or teats Lamb milk replacer b lk l Propylene glycol Calcium Antibiotics Thermometer Record keeping booklet More…by Susan Schoenian 13

Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12 DO’S DON’TS Increase nutrition (gradually) Overfeed Feed pregnant ewe lambs Underfeed separately Encourage daily exercise Stress ewe Minimize stress Introduce new animals Vaccinate for CD‐T Change groupings Manage periparturient Leave rams in egg rise Worry Feed a coccidiostat Shear or crutch ewes Prepare facilities Gather/inventory supplies Lambing should be fun! Thank you for your attention. Any questions? Susan Schoenian sschoen@umd.edu www.sheepandgoat.comby Susan Schoenian 14

Late gestation

by University of Maryland Extension Small Ruminant Program

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Late gestation

by University of Maryland Extension Small Ruminant Program

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