Northeast Northeast Lambing/KiddingLambing/Kidding

ProjectProject

Dr. tatiana Luisa StantonDr. tatiana Luisa Stanton

Cornell University Goat Extension ProgramCornell University Goat Extension Program

with contributions from Dr. Richard E. Ehrhardt, Sandy with contributions from Dr. Richard E. Ehrhardt, Sandy VonAllmen, Kirby Selkirk, Natasha Pellifor & numerous NY VonAllmen, Kirby Selkirk, Natasha Pellifor & numerous NY

farmersfarmers

First …First …

WHY?

Labor demands andLabor demands and feed requirements at birthing feed requirements at birthing

are cited by sheep and goat are cited by sheep and goat farmersfarmers

as a major reason for why they do as a major reason for why they do not expand or why they consider not expand or why they consider

retirementretirement

Can we reduce labor inputs and Can we reduce labor inputs and feed costs at lambing/kidding feed costs at lambing/kidding

without adversely affecting kid without adversely affecting kid and lamb mortality and herd and lamb mortality and herd

productivity?productivity?

How much does labor affect How much does labor affect kid/lamb mortality?kid/lamb mortality?

In Winter ’09 – some of our case study In Winter ’09 – some of our case study farms worked an extra 12 to 15 farms worked an extra 12 to 15 hrs/day during birthing as compared hrs/day during birthing as compared to as low as 2 hrs/day for other farms to as low as 2 hrs/day for other farms with similar herd sizes, productivity with similar herd sizes, productivity and mortality rates and mortality rates

Neonatal mortality is Neonatal mortality is greatly affected by:greatly affected by:

• Your herd’s preventative health Your herd’s preventative health management program management program

• Your herd’s nutritional programYour herd’s nutritional program• How adequate your facilities are for the How adequate your facilities are for the

season of the year your animals give season of the year your animals give birth in birth in

• Litter size and season of birthingLitter size and season of birthing• Luck – and being able to find a quick fixLuck – and being able to find a quick fix

Outbreaks of disease or metabolic disorders can Outbreaks of disease or metabolic disorders can contribute substantially to neonatal mortality contribute substantially to neonatal mortality regardless of how much labor you put into the regardless of how much labor you put into the

birthing seasonbirthing season

How well you respond to How well you respond to crisiscrisis

Ways to keep labor and Ways to keep labor and operating costs downoperating costs down

• Winter/Early SpringWinter/Early Spring

• Late Spring/SummerLate Spring/Summer

• FallFall

Birthing checksBirthing checksAre you on the farm a lot?Are you on the farm a lot?

Are the animals in easy view?Are the animals in easy view?

Are your facilities adequate for the season?Are your facilities adequate for the season?

Have you culled does/ewes with dystocia Have you culled does/ewes with dystocia problems?problems?

Have you addressed management problems that Have you addressed management problems that led to dystocia or weak newborns?led to dystocia or weak newborns?

WinterWinter

Heat?Heat? SafetySafety TypeType CostCost VentilationVentilation

1000 watt overhead 1000 watt overhead heatersheaters

Propane or butane Propane or butane heatersheaters

Bedding hay left right by jugsBedding hay left right by jugs

““Juggling” sheep/goats Juggling” sheep/goats aroundaround

What is your animal flow from What is your animal flow from Birthing Birthing Jugs? Jugs?

Mother/offspring areasMother/offspring areas

Access in and out of jugsAccess in and out of jugs

Artificial RearingArtificial Rearing

Grafting newborns - Is it an Grafting newborns - Is it an option?option?

When successful –When successful –•Greatly reduces or even Greatly reduces or even eliminates need for artificial eliminates need for artificial rearingrearing• Improves animal Improves animal performance and ultimate performance and ultimate welfarewelfare•Reduces labor inputs during Reduces labor inputs during birth periodbirth period

Grafting Protocol Overview 1. Must be very aware of livestock needs and opportunities.

2. Using techniques that concentrate birth period (i.e. ram/buck effect, concentrated male to female ratio) will allow more matching opportunities.

3. Assess these variables in making match• Milk supply• Milk requirement• Maternal bond• Newborn suckling drive

Grafting Protocol

• Maintain graftee “natural” suckling drive by stomach tube feeding (24-48 h limit)

• Maternal bond develops quickly (less than 5 min) but this is highly variable-need to assess each situation

• Assess milk supply and use this info to determine which newborns to remove and which graftees to bring.

• Possible to swap or mix entire litters if done before bonding is set.

• Possible to graft in pasture birth.

f

Techniques to facilitate bonding

1.Simulate birth process with hand in

birth canal (use plastic ob sleeve). 2.Place fetal fluids from maternal litter

on graftee.3.When grafting into established litters

or refining matches, place newborn feces from maternal litter on graftee.

4.Use head gate or halter to restrain mother if bonding is already established. Grafting success will be apparent within 48 h.

Warming box:

•Forced air heating (inexpensive electric heater)

•Compartments

•Wire mesh flooring

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/sheep/pdf/lambsurvival.pdf

Handling animalsHandling animals

Questions?Questions?