1. Inf she t
I fo s eet
Gett
ting ready for la
r ambin and kidd
ng d ding
by Susan SSchoenian
Sheep and Goat Specia
d alist
University of Maryland Extension
y d
sschoen@umd.edu
Date of la revision: 9-Nov-11
ast 9
Proper m
management and nutritio of the pr
on regnant ewe and doe will go a long way toward
ds
ensuring a successful lambing an kidding se
nd eason.
What is hhappening during the l
d last 4 to 6 wweeks of pre
egnancy?
While preegnancy last for approx
ts ximately fiv months, 7 percent o fetal grow occurs during
ve 70 of wth
the last 4 to 6 weeks of pregnan
s ncy. Most of the ewe or doe’s mamm mary (udder growth is
r)
occurring during this period. At the same time, her rum capacit is decreas
g s t men ty sing, due to the
rapidly g sult of all these changes is a need f increased nutrition; in
growing fetuses. The res s for d
particula a more nutrient-dens diet.
ar, se
Extra nutritio is usually required to support fe
E on y o etal
growth, espe
g ecially if the female is c
e carrying mul
ltiple
fetuses. Extr feed is ne
f ra eeded to suppport mammmary
development and ensure a plentiful milk supply
d t e l y.
Proper nutrit
P tion will hel to prevent pregnancy
lp y
toxemia (ket
t tosis) and milk fever (hy ypocalcaemiia),
two common metabolic problems in pregnant e
t n n ewes
and
a does. Pr roper nutrition will ensu the birth of
ure h
strong, healt offspring of moderate birth wei
s thy g ight.
Birth weight is highly co
B orrelated to lamb and kid
survival, with low an high birth weight offspring usual experienc
nd h lly cing the highest degree of
mortalityy.
Nutrition during late gestation
n
During la gestation energy (T
ate n, TDN, calories is the nutrient most likely to be d
s) deficient in the
diet of ew and doe The amo
wes es. ount of nutrients require will depe upon the age and siz
ed end e ze
(weight) of the fema and her e
ale expected level of produ uction: singles, twins, or triplets.
Environmmental condi itions also affect nutriti
ional require
ements. Pas stured anima usually h
als have
higher nuutritional re
equirements than barn-f animals because the have to ex
fed ey xert more
energy to get their feed and water. Cold we
o f eather can ssubstantially increase nu
y utritional
1|Page Getting ready for lambing and kidding

2. requirem
ments, as mo feed is n
ore needed to maintain norm body tem
mal mperature. Cold water
requires energy to co
onvert it to body tempe
erature.
To meet the increase energy needs during this crucial period, it is usually necessary to feed
ed l
some con
ncentrate (g
grain or grain by-produc
n cts). If forag quality is low, it may also be
ge s y
necessar to provide a suppleme
ry e ental source of protein and calcium
e m.
Feeding during late gestation
e
It is very important that pregnan ewes and does not be underfed o overfed. Extreme
y t nt d e or
nutrition at either end of the sc
n cale can be p
problematic.
Inadequa nutrition may result in pregnanc toxemia (
ate n t cy sugar), small and weak
(low blood s
offspring higher lam and kid m
g, mb mortality, reeduced colosstrum qualit and quant
ty tity, poor milk
yield, and reduced wool product
w tion (in the offspring via fewer seco
a ondary follic
cles).
Over-connditioned fem males are mmore prone t pregnancy toxemia, v
to y vaginal prola
apses, and
dystocia (difficult births). Overffeeding can result in ove
ersized fetuses that hav difficulty
ve
being born and put the ewe and doe at risk. Feeding ew and doe more than what is
t d wes es n
nutrition
nally require is an unne
ed ecessary exppense to
the producer. With today’s high feed costs,
t
overfeedding is especcially costly, even if pro
oblems
ncountered as a result o animals being over-
aren’t en of
condition or overf
ned fed.
While rattions can be balanced b hand using simple
e by
arithmet online ra
tic, ation balanc
cing software e
simplifies the task. Several univversities offer free
online to
ools for ratio balancing and evalua
on g ation.
Montana State Unive
ersity Sheep Feed Ration
n
http://w
www.msushe eepration.moontana.edu
Cornell U
University Fe Form (re
eed equires Micr
rosoft Access)
http://w
www.sheep.c cornell.edu/
/managemen nt/economiccs/cspsoftw
ware/feedfor
rm/index.ht
tml
Langston University Ration Balan
n ncer and Nu
utrient Calcu
ulator for Go
oats
http://w
www.luresex xt.edu/goatss/research/n
nutritionmodule1.htm
Universit of Marylan Extension Spreadshe
ty nd n eets
http://w
www.sheepandgoat.com m/spreadsheeets.html
Feed bunk managem ment
In additio to feedin the prope amounts o nutrients, proper feed bunk management is
on ng er of ,
necessar to ensure adequate in
ry ntake by all females. All ewes and d
does should be able to eeat
at one time. If there is inadequa feeder s
e ate space, some animals, esspecially the small, youn
e ng,
old, and timid ones, may not ge enough to eat. Males can be very aggressive at feeding t
et y time.
They shoould be separated from the females after the b
s breeding season. Overly aggressive
females sshould be cu
ulled from the herd.
2|Page Getting ready for lambing and kidding

3. Pregnant ewe lambs and doeling should be fed separat
t gs e tely from mature femal les. Their
nutrition requirem
nal ments are higgher, becaus in additio to being p
se on pregnant, th are still
hey
growing tthemselves. In fact, goa and some breeds of sheep are n full-grow until they are
. ats not wn y
about three years old. Young females may a also have tro
ouble compe eting for fee
eder space. If
ewe lambs and doeli ings cannot be managed and fed se
d eparately fro mature f
om females (unt
til
the time they wean their first se of offspring), breedin should pr
et ng robably be d delayed until
they are yearlings.
Pregnant ewes or do should no be fed on the ground This is ho abortions and other
t oes ot n d. ow s
diseases are spread. It can also result in con
nsiderable f
feed wastage and econo
e omic loss.
Selenium and Vitam E
m min
Selenium and Vitami E are critical nutrient during lat gestation. Low levels of selenium
m in ts te m
(Se) and/ Vitamin E have been associated with poor r
/or n d reproductive performan and reta
e nce ained
placentas. Selenium is passed fr
rom the placcenta to the fetuses dur
e ring late ges
station. A
selenium and/or vita
m amin E deficciency can le to white muscle dis
ead e sease (nutrit
tional muscu
ular
dystrophy) in lambs and kids.
Free chooice mineral mixes usual provide a
lly adequate selenium to pr regnant ewe and does. If
es .
the flock includes bo sheep an goats, a s
k oth nd sheep miner should be fed, as she have a l
ral e eep low
tolerance for excess copper in t
e their diets. Goats should be fed a g
goat mineral mix that
l
contains copper. If goats are housed with sh
g heep, it may be advisab to give th
y ble hem
suppleme ental copper. Copasure boluses (for cattle) can be repacka
r n aged into sm
maller doses for
goats.
Adding th selenium
he m-fortified m
mineral mix t the grain ration will e
to ensure intak of all
ke
minerals. Free choic minerals do not guar
ce rantee adequate intake, as individu animals v
, ual vary
in their intake of fre choice supplements. In flocks with a history of white mu
ee uscle disease
e,
selenium may be pro
m ovided via in
njections. S
Selenium injections have caused abo
e ortions in sm
mall
ruminant so care must be take not to ove
ts, m en erdose Se pr
roducts. The is a narr
ere row range
between selenium re equirements and toxic l
s levels.
Monitor calcium intake
Calcium intake is als very impo
so ortant during late gestat
g tion.
The fema ale’s require
ements for ccalcium virtuually double
e
during la gestation Milk feve (hypocalce
ate n. er emia) is cau
used by
a low blo calcium level, which can be the result of a
ood h e an
inadequa intake of calcium or failure to immobilize
ate f r
calcium rreserves. Excessive int
E take of calci
ium can also be a
o
contributting factor. In dairy fem
males, milk ffever may occcur
after par
rturition.
It is impo
ortant to kno the calci
ow ium content of the feed you
t ds
are feedi ing. While cereal grains (corn, barley, wheat, a
c s and
oats) are good sourc of phosph
e ces horus, they are poor sou
urces
of calcium. Some by y-product fe
eeds (e.g. so hulls) con
oy ntain
higher leevels of calcium than graains.
Forages a usually higher in cal
are h lcium than g
grains, espec
cially legum forages (a
me alfalfa, clove
ers,
and lespe
edeza). It is generally r
s recommende that you save your “best” hay fo lactation, and
ed or ,
3|Page Getting ready for lambing and kidding

4. feed a m
mixed (legum
me-grass) hay during late gestation.
y e
Suppleme ental calcium can be pr
rovided thro
ough comple grain mix or miner suppleme
ete xes ral ents
(dicalcium phosphate, bonemea and limes
al, stone). If a g
grass hay or other low q
quality forag is
ge
cium should be supplemented throu the grain ration. Fre choice m
fed, calc ugh n ee minerals do nnot
guarante adequate intake of vi
ee itamins and minerals.
Vaccinattion for CD-T
T
Pregnant females should be vaccinated for clostridium perfringins type C and D (overeating
t
disease) and tetanus approximately one mo
s onth prior to parturition (giving birt
o th). Vaccina
ated
females w pass ant
will tibodies in t
their colostr
rum (first mi to their newborns. L
ilk) Lambs and k
kids
from vac
ccinated dam do not re
ms equire CD-T v vaccination until they a 6 to 8 we
are eeks of age.
Ewes and does that have never been vaccin
d h nated or who vaccinat
ose tion status is unknown w
s will
require t
two vaccinat
tions during late pregna
ancy, given f
four weeks a
apart. Breeeding males a
and
mature wwethers shou be vaccinated at the same time
uld e e.
There is some eviden to sugge that the CD-T vaccin is not as e
nce est ne effective in goats as it i in
is
other spe
ecies. Some veterinarians advocate vaccinating does every six months
e g y s.
Internal parasites
Ewes and does exper
d rience a temmporary loss of
s
immunity to gastro-i
y intestinal pa
arasites (parrasitic
worms) a the time of parturitio
at o on. It is the result of
hormona changes. Deworming with an effe
al ective
anthelmi intic will cou
unter this “pperiparturie rise” in
ent
worm eggs and reduce the expo osure of newwborn
lambs an kids to inf
nd fective worm larvae. A
m An
anthelmi intic that is effective ag
gainst hypobbiotic
(arrested larvae sho
d) ould be usedd.
All antheelmintics (de
ewormers) should be
administered to shee and goats orally, usin a
ep s ng
syringe w
with a long, metal nozzl The drug should be
le. g
deposited over the back of the t
b tongue. Due to a faster rate of met
e tabolism, go
oats usually
require hhigher doses of the anth
s helmintics th other liv
han vestock. To minimize ha
andling and
stress, deeworming ca be done at the same time as CD-T vaccinati
an e ions and/or shearing.
Albendazzole (Valbaz
zen©) should not be give to pregna females during their first trimes
d en ant r ster
of pregna
ancy or with 30 days a
hin moved from t flock. All
after the ram or buck has been rem
m the
other ant
thelmintics, when admi
, inistered pro
operly, are n known t pose a risk to pregnan
not to k ncy.
Due to w
widespread drug resistan issues, a better stra
d nce ategy to counnter the per
riparturient egg
rise migh be to incr
ht rease the pro
otein level o the gestation ration. Research ha shown tha
of as at
protein s
supplementaation during late pregna
ancy can red
duce fecal eg counts.
gg
Another good strateg would be to only dew
gy e worm ewes a does sho
and owing signs of internal
parasitism (e.g. pale mucous me
m e embranes, b
bottle jaw, p
poor body coondition, and dagginess).
Pasture-rraised anima need to b more clo
als be ored for internal parasite than barn
osely monito es n-
4|Page Getting ready for lambing and kidding

5. raised animals. Internal parasitism will be a more significant problem when lambing and
kidding occur in the spring and summer versus the winter or fall.
Feed a Coccidiostat
It is a good idea to feed a coccidiostat (Bovatec®, Rumensin®, or Deccox®) to pregnant
females during late gestation, especially if lambing and kidding will take place indoors. While
it is normal for sheep and goats to have coccidia in their digestive systems, if young lambs
and kids are exposed to too many coccidia, they may develop clinical disease. Even if coccidia
does not kill a lamb or kid, it can permanently stunt it.
Feeding a coccidiostat will reduce the number of coccidia being shed into the lambing and
kidding environment, enabling young animals to develop immunity to coccidia without being
overcome by disease. The coccidiostat should be fed through weaning. Creep feed should
contain a coccidiostat.
There is some evidence to suggest that feeding a coccidiostat (especially Rumensin®) during
late gestation will also aid in the prevention of abortions caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which
is the species of coccidia that is carried by domestic cats. Toxoplasmosis is one of the leading
causes of abortion in small ruminants. There is no vaccine.
It is important to note that coccidiostats, especially Rumensin®, can be fatal to horses,
donkeys, and mules.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics can aid in the prevention of abortions caused by Chlamydia (Enzootic/EAE) or
Campylobacter (vibrio). Chlorotetracycline (aureomycin) is FDA-approved to feed to ewes to
prevent abortions. It should be fed at a rate of 80 mg per head per day. Alternatively,
injections of antibiotics (e.g. LA-200) every two weeks during late gestation may help to
prevent abortions. Seek the advice of a large animal veterinarian if your flock is experiencing
a high rate of abortion (more than 5%).
Exercise
Daily exercise is recommended for ewes and does throughout their pregnancy. "Fit" females
have fewer birthing problems. Separating feed, water, and minerals can encourage exercise.
Stress
Ewes and does should not be stressed during their last trimester. Handling should be
minimized. Groups should be kept stable.
Shearing
It is a good idea to shear fiber-producing animals approximately one month prior to
parturition. There are numerous advantages to shearing prior to lambing and kidding.
Shearing results in a cleaner, drier, healthy environment for newborn lambs/kids. Shorn ewes
put less moisture into the air. Shorn ewes are less likely to lay on their lambs. They are more
likely to seek shelter in inclement weather. Shorn ewes take up less space in the barn and
around feeders. Shearing before parturition results in much cleaner fleeces.
Shorn females require more feed to compensate for heat loss, especially during cold weather.
They require adequate shelter. An alternative to shearing is crutching. Crutching is when
you remove the wool from around the ewe’s udder and vulva.
5|Page Getting ready for lambing and kidding

6. Getting your supplies and equipment ready
Two weeks before your first ewes and/or does are due to lamb/kid, you should organize your
supplies and set up your facilities. While the general rule of thumb is to have one lambing
pen per ten females, you may need more if your lambing and kidding is tightly spaced. A
lambing pen, also called a “jug,” is a enclosure (4 x 5 ft. or 5 by 5 ft) where you put the dam
and her offspring together for 1 to 3 days to encourage bonding and for close observation.
Even with pasture lambing/kidding, you may want a few pens in case you have some
problems.
At least 14 days ahead of time, you should bring your ewes or does to the location where they
will be lambing or kidding. This will enable them to manufacture antibodies specific to the
environment in which their offspring will be born. Lambing and kidding can occur in a well-
bedded barn or on a clean pasture. The area should be dry and protected from drafts.
Pastures should offer protection from predators and inclement weather.
Here are some suggested supplies to have on hand prior to lambing and kidding:
• Halter
• Propylene glycol or molasses (for treating pregnancy toxemia)
• Calcium borogluconate (for treating milk fever)
• 50% dextrose
• Syringes and needles
• Bearing retainer (spoon) or prolapse harness
• Rubber gloves, protective sleeves, or latex gloves
• OB lubrication
• Nylon rope, snare, or leg puller
• OB S-curve needle
• Oral dosing syringe
• Towels and rags
• Heat lamp or warming box
• Various antibiotics
• Thermometer
• Gentle iodine, betadine, or other disinfectant
• Frozen colostrum
• Colostrum supplement
• Esophageal feeding tube
• Milk replacer
• Nipples
• Scale
• Weighing sling
• Ear tags or paint brands
• Pocket record keeping book
• Docking, castrating, and disbudding equipment
• Disbudding box
• Electric clippers
6|Page Getting ready for lambing and kidding