Getting Ready for Lambing & Kidding involves ensuring ewes and does receive adequate nutrition during late pregnancy to support fetal growth while intake decreases. Proper nutrition is important to prevent issues like pregnancy toxemia. Facilities, supplies, and health protocols should also be prepared ahead of lambing/kidding season.

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