late gestation
DESCRIPTION
This presentation is the first is a six part series on management of the ewe and doe from late gestation through weaning. This presentation covers late gestation: management and feeding.TRANSCRIPT
SUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy-nē-ŭn) Sheep & Goat Specialist
Western Maryland Research & Education Center
[email protected] – www.sheepandgoat.com
2011 Ewe and Doe Management
Webinar Series
SMALL RUMINANT PROGRAM
Jan 13 I. Late GestationJan 20II. VaccinationsFeb 3 III. ParturitionFeb 10 IV. Neonatal CareFeb 17 V. LactationFeb 24 VI. Weaning
2011 Ewe and Doe Management Webinar Series
Late gestationLast 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy (142-158 days)
The most critical period in the female’s production cycle.
What’s happening?!70 percent of fetal
growth is occurring.
Ewe lambs and doe kids are still growing themselves!
The udder tissue is developing.
Rumen capacity is decreasing.
Boer x Nubian doe (carrying triplets)
Extra nutrition is needed
Why?To support fetal growth
To support udder development
To prevent pregnancy toxemia (ketosis) and milk fever.
To ensure the birth of strong, healthy babies of moderate birth weight.
Nutrient requirements of a 176-lb. mature ewe (twins) at different stages of production
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
DM intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
Maintenance Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
NRC 2007
Lbs.
per
day
Stage % TDN % CP Maintenance 53.1% 7.2% Early gestation 53.5% 8.2% Late gestation 66.2% 9.9% Early lactation 66.6% 14.7%
Nutrition During Late Gestation
Energy (TDN) is the nutrient most likely to be deficient in the late gestation diet of ewes and does.
Nutrient requirements vary by species, age, size (weight), and number of fetuses.
To meet energy needs, you usually need to feed some grain.
If forage quality is low, you may also need to supplement protein and calcium.
Do not underfeed (including the fat ones)
Pregnancy toxemia (ketosis)
Small and weak babies
Higher mortality
Reduced colostrum quality and quantity
Poor milk yield
Reduced wool production (in offspring) via fewer secondary follicles
Inadequate nutrition can result in . . .
Do not overfeed(including the skinny ones)
Because . . .
Fat females are more prone to pregnancy toxemia.
Overfed females have more dystocia problems.
Large fetuses can have difficulty being born.
What you should doBalance or evaluate a ration to
see if what you are feeding is meeting the nutrient requirements of your pregnant females.
Adjust, if necessary
What we usually doFree choice hay + some grain
(1/2 to 1 lb. per head per day) Introduce grain slowly and
increase incrementally.
Nutrition during late gestation
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/feed.html#ration
Energy (TDN) requirements as affected by species and genetic potential for a 132-lb. mature female
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
Maintenance Early Gestation Late gestation Early lactation
Dairy doe Non-dairy doe Ewe Parlor-milked ewe Parlor-milked doe
NRC 2007
Lbs.
per
day
Nutrient requirements of different size ewes in late gestation (twin fetuses)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
Dry matter intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
110-lb. ewe 154-lb. ewe 198-lb. eweNRC, 2007
Lbs.
per
day
Size % TDN % CP
110-lb. ewe 65.9% 10.1%
154-lb. ewe 66.0% 10.0%
198-lb. ewe 52.9% 8.6%
Nutrient requirements of different size (non-dairy) does in late gestation (twin fetuses)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
Dry matter intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
66-lb. doe 110-lb. doe 154-lb. doe
NRC, 2007, Errata
Lbs.
per
day
Size % TDN % CP
66-lb. doe 80.1% 15.4%
110-lb. doe 66.4% 13.1%
154-lb. doe 66.5% 12.8%
Nutrient requirements of ewes in late gestationas affected by age
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
DM intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
176-lb. mature ewe (twins) 132-lb. ewe lamb (twins) 110-lb. ewe lamb (twins) 110-lb. ewe lamb (single)
NRC, 2007
Lbs.
per
day
% TDN % CP 176-lb. mature ewe (twins) 66.5% 10.0% 132-lb. ewe lamb (twins) 79.5% 10.5% 110-lb. ewe lamb (twins) 79.5% 10.5% 110-lb. ewe lamb (single) 79.4% 10.0%
Nutrient requirements of a 154-lb. ewe during late gestation, as affected by number of fetuses
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
DM intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
Single birth Twin lambs Three or more
NRC, 2007
Lbs.
per
day
# fetuses % TDN % CPSingle birth 53.3% 8.3%Twin lambs 66.0% 10.0%
Three or more 66.2% 10.2%
2.00
2.20
2.40
2.60
2.80
3.00
3.20
3.40
3.60
3.80
4.00
Po
un
ds o
f T
DN
32 25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 -10
Environmental temperature ºF
TDN requirements
Effect of a lower critical temperature on the energy requirements of a goat needing 2.8 lbs. of TDN.
Selenium (Se) and vitamin E
Many soils are deficient in selenium (Se). http://tin.er.usgs.gov/geochem/doc/averages/se/usa.html
Low levels of Se and/or vitamin E have been associated with …
Poor reproductive performance Retained placentas White muscle disease in lambs and
kids.
Se is passed from the placenta to the fetus during late gestation
Selenium (Se) and vitamin E
Free choice mineral mixes usually provide adequate selenium.
Adding a selenium-fortified mineral mix to the grain ration should ensure adequate intake of Se.
On farms with a history of white muscle disease, Se injections are sometimes necessary.
Bo-Se must be obtained from a licensed veterinarian.
There is a narrow range between what animals need and Se toxicity.
CalciumCalcium requirements virtually
double during late pregnancy.
Milk fever is caused by low blood calcium resulting from … An inadequate intake of calcium Failure to mobilize calcium
reserves.
You also need to avoid excessive Ca intake. Save alfalfa or similar hay for
lactation diet.This ewe required IV calcium.
Mineral requirements of a 176-lb. ewe (twins)
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
Calcium Phosphorus
Maintenance Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
NRC, 2007
Gra
ms
per d
ay
Stage of productionMineral requirements of a 132-lb. doe (twins)
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
Calcium Phosphorus
Maintenance Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
NRC, 2007
Gra
ms
per d
ay
Calcium
Grains (corn, barley, and oats) and soybean meal are low in calcium.
Forages are higher in calcium, especially legumes.
Supplemental Ca Complete grain mixes Mineral supplements
Limestone (38%) Dicalcium phosphate (25%)
Trace minerals (14-18%) Kelp (2.7% Ca)
If a low quality forage is fed, calcium should be added to the grain ration.
Proper feed bunk management
Make sure all ewes or does can eat at the same time.
Feed pregnant ewe lambs and doelings separately from mature females.
Separate males after breeding.
Do not feed on the ground.
Pre-lambing/kidding vaccinationsCD-T: clostridium perfringins type C & D (overeating disease) and tetanus
Vaccinate pregnant females approximately one month prior to parturition.
Only way to protect lambs and kids from type C overeating disease and provide early immunity to tetanus.
Females never vaccinated before or whose vaccination status is unknown should receive two vaccinations during late pregnancy.
Do not vaccinate within 2 weeks of parturition.
Lambs and kids will acquire passive immunity when they consume colostrum (first milk).
Periparturient egg riseSmall ruminant females suffer a temporary
loss of immunity to parasites around and after parturition.
Management options
Deworm all females prior to lambing or kidding. At the time of vaccination
or two weeks prioror at the time of parturition
Use the FAMACHA© system and Five Point Check© to determine the need for deworming individual females.
Increase the level of protein in the ration during late gestation.
Do not administer Valbazen® during first 30 days of pregnancy.
Feed a coccidiostatTo reduce the number coccidia oocytes in the lambing and kidding environment
In feed or mineral Bovatec® - sheep Rumensin® - goats Deccox® - both
Continue through weaning.
As an aid to prevent abortions caused by Toxoplasma gondii.
Coccidiostats, especially Rumensin® are toxic to the equine family.
AntibioticsIf there is a flock history or risk of abortions
1) Feed Chlortetracycline
(aureomycin) fed at a level of 80 mg/head/day during the last 6 weeks of gestation
2) Injections Oxytetracycline (LA-
200) at 2 week intervals.
Give injectable antibiotics to remaining females.
Isolate aborting females
Submit fetuses and placenta to diagnostic lab.
Destroy fetuses, fluid, and placenta from abortion females.
Disinfect pens.
In the event of an abortion “storm”
Shear or crutch before lambing/kidding (about one month prior)
Results in a cleaner, drier, healthier, environment for babies.
Shorn ewes are less likely to lay on their lambs.
Ewes take up less space in barn and around feeders
Results in cleaner fleeces
Shorn ewes will seek shelter
Shorn ewes/does will need more feed to compensate for heat loss from shearing.
Freshly shorn ewes/does require adequate shelter.Crutching – removal of wool around udder and vulva area.
Get your facilities, equipment, and supplies ready 2 weeks before the first babies are due.
Clean, dry, draft-free building (cold or inclement weather) Put dams and offspring in
small pen after parturition\ Called a “jug” 5 ft. by 5 ft. (bigger or
smaller depending upon size of female)
1-3 days
Clean, well-rested pastures (during mild weather) Have shelter available Pen dams and offspring with
problem
Lambing and kidding
Frozen colostrum Prolapse retainer or
harness Weigh sling Milk replacer Colostrum supplement Elastrator OB lube Needles and syringes Ear tags OB sleeves Antibiotic(s) Rubber rings OB lubricant
Recommended supplies to have on hand
Nylon rope or snare Nipples/teats OB S-curved needle Esophageal feeding tube Disinfectant Hanging scale Thermometer Heat lamp or warming box Dextrose (glucose) Oral dosing syringe Propylene glycol Bo-Se Calcium borogluconate Pocket record keeping book
Do’s and don’ts during late gestation
DO’s• Increase nutrient intake
(increase grain intake slowly)• Monitor calcium intake• Feed a coccidiostat• Vaccinate for CD-T• Encourage exercise• Shear or crutch full-fleeced
animals.• Deworm or evaluate need for
deworming• Prepare facilities• Inventory supplies
DON’T’sIntroduce new animalsMix pregnant ewe lambs
and doelings with mature females
OverfeedUnderfeedStress Leave males in
Thank you for your attention. Questions?
SMALL RUMINANT PROGRAM
SUSAN SCHOENIANwww.sheepandgoat.com