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 ?