Getting lambs off to Getting lambs off to a fast start a fast start Dan Morrical Iowa State University
Jan 05, 2016
Getting lambs off to Getting lambs off to a fast starta fast start
Dan Morrical
Iowa State University
Lamb losses and ProfitLamb losses and Profit
Baby lamb losses 10-25 % per year most of the losses are before 72 hrs without records you do not know
S/D17%
A9%
S/H25%
P22%
O27%
1987/5200
S/D22%
A21%
S/H17%
P12%
O28%
1988/7000
S/D24%
A23%
P14%
S/H14%
O25%
Lamb Mortality Study, RookLamb Mortality Study, Rook
1986/3600
S/H20%
S/D40%
P20%
A10%
O/U10%
S/H50%
S/D41%
P0%
O/U9%
S/D74%
O/U0%
S/H13%
P13%
Winter Lambs251/lambs/124 ewes
Spring Lambs151 lambs/74 ewes
Fall148 Lambs/ 81 ewes
McNay Death Loss by Seasons 1995McNay Death Loss by Seasons 1995
Goals of Late Goals of Late Gestation RationGestation Ration
1. Healthy, vigorous ewes
2. In condition for heavy milking
3. Healthy, vigorous lambs of moderate size.
Birth Weight on LivabilityBirth Weight on Livability
Best 11.4 pounds VPI
1 pound increase in birth weight
= 4% in death loss Texas A & M
Birth WeightSmall Medium Large
8.5 8.6-13.3 13.4
Wt. gain/ .69 .75 .82day of age
Feed eff. 4.8 4.3 3.8
U. of Kentucky
Birth Weight & Feedlot PerformanceBirth Weight & Feedlot Performance
•Depends on: ewe size type of birth
•Singles 7% of dam wt.•Twins 6.5% of dam wt.•Triplets 5.5% of dam wt.
•175 ewe single 12-13 twin 11-11.5 triplet 9-10
So what is the right birth weight?So what is the right birth weight?
Goal of Lambing Goal of Lambing Season ManagementSeason Management
“Maximize Lamb Livability”
Starts before lambing
What you do can not
raise number born
Causes of DeathCauses of Death
Starvation Poor ewe condition Weak ewe or lamb Plugged teats Mastitis Mis-mothering Poor suckling
Prevention: Weak or Prevention: Weak or StarvedStarved
Adequate ewe nutrition (i.e. good condition)
Energy level of diet Crossbreeding Exercise Weaning management
Prevention: Weak or StarvedPrevention: Weak or Starved
Pre-lambing shearing Observation Condition score Dryer environment Lamb indoors Easier nursing Intake
Trouble Shooting-Use the Trouble Shooting-Use the ThermometerThermometer
Normal temp. - 101° - 102°F Elevated temp.-above 103°F
(think infection) Cold Lambs
- mild hypothermia 99°-102°F
- severe hypothermia below 99°F
Mild Hypothermia 99°-102°FMild Hypothermia 99°-102°F
1) Remove and dry
2) Supplement warm dry heat (100°-103°F max. temp.)
3) Tube feed 120-200 ml colostrum (20 mls/lb.)
4) Return when rectal temperature is normal (1-3 hours)
5) Assure future nutrition
Elevated Temperature-Elevated Temperature-above 103°Fabove 103°F
- or animals showing clinical signs
- assume infectious process
- probably pneumonia, joint ill or liver abscess
- LA200 1/2cc/10 lb.
under the skin given daily for 4-5 days
- Long acting penicillin 1cc/10-20 lb.
under the skin given daily for 4-5 days
- Assure nutrition and hydration
Severe Hypothermia-Severe Hypothermia-below 99°Fbelow 99°F
*Under 6 hours oldremove and dry
supplement heat warm dry moving air 100-103°F
tube feed 120-200 ml colostrum
return when temperature normal 1-3 hours
assure future nutrition
Severe Hypothermia-Severe Hypothermia-below 99°Fbelow 99°F
*Over 6 hours oldremove and dry
supplement heat with warm dry moving air 100-103°F max
tube feed 120-200 ml colostrum CAUTION
inject 40 ml of 20% dextrose into body cavity
1 inch beside and 1 inch behind navel,
20 ga 1 inch needle
return when rectal temp. normal 1-3 hours
assure future nutrition
Solution - ObservationSolution - Observation Paint brand Cubicles & lambing jugs Shear pre-lambing Stomach tube Proper feeding at lambing & weaning Selenium status
Stillborns/dystociaStillborns/dystociaSymptoms of dystocia
yellow fleece
causes - Fat ewes, Poor hybrid vigor
Was it truly born dead?
check lungs and feet
Stillborns Two types-infectious
-hypoxia (observation)
SolutionsSolutions
Condition score Observation
Intercom, video camera Feed antibiotics Vaccinate against vibrio, EAE BoSe ?????? Assist after 30 minutes in labor
Abortion DiseasesAbortion Diseases
Iowa Camphylobacter (vibrio) Enzootic abortion in ewes (EAE) Toxoplasmosis
SolutionsSolutions
Vaccinate vibrio/EAE Closed flock Late gestation feed antibiotics
(5 mg/lb. if abortion occurs) Sanitation Isolation Pray
PneumoniaPneumonia
CausesPoorly ventilated buildingsInadequate spaceWet bedding
SolutionSolution
20 ft.2 area for ewes with lambs Sulfa water treatment Open up barn Use more bedding Pre-lambing shearing
AntibioticsAntibiotics
60-65 mg/day 6 weeks prior to lambing Results
65-73% in lamb losses
Univ. of Wyoming
S.D. State univ.
Intestinal Disorders - Intestinal Disorders - CausesCauses
Wet bedding Stress Solutions-
Lime jugs Adequate colostrum (esp. Ecoli) Vaccinate ewes
CI. perfringens C & D toxoid
Increase space and bedding Relieve stress
Equipment & SuppliesEquipment & Supplies
Colostrum Lamb Reviver i.e. stomach tube Thermometer Head Snare Ropes or dog choke collars
Equipment...cont.Equipment...cont.
Lubricant Cubicles Gloves Intercom Bonding Pens
Equipment...cont.Equipment...cont.
Grafting Stanchion Hot box / incubator Towels Biologicals
Lambing ProblemsLambing Problems
How Do You Know? 1 - Length of labor 2 - Position of feet
Toes up okay Toes down backwards Tail first backwards One foot first Nose first
Newborn ManagementNewborn Management
1 - Colostrum intake1 - Colostrum intake
- minimum 2 ounces/8 pounds- minimum 2 ounces/8 pounds
- ideal 10% of BW first 24 hrs.- ideal 10% of BW first 24 hrs.
2 - Clip - Dip - Strip2 - Clip - Dip - Strip
castrate earlycastrate early
3 - Lambing Jugs3 - Lambing Jugs
4 x 6, 5 x 64 x 6, 5 x 6
4 - Observe often4 - Observe often
5 - Check for inverted eyelids5 - Check for inverted eyelids
WeaningWeaning
Wean early 60 days or lessDry up ewes prior to weaningRemove proteinRemove energyRemove water ?