These are copies of the PowerPoint slides (2 per page) from a presentation prepared for the Blue Ribbon Sheep Forum in Storrs, CT (2/25/12).

1. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
SUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy‐nē‐ŭn)
Sheep & Goat Specialist
Western Maryland Research & Education Center
sschoen@umd.edu ‐ www.sheepandgoat.com
Seventy (70) percent
of fetal growth is occurring.
of fetal growth is occurring
Important time for udder
development and
colostrum production.
NEEDS
Rumen capacity is
decreasing.
decreasing
Voluntary feed intake of
feed is less, especially
during last two weeks.
INTAKE
by Susan Schoenian 1

2. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
More feed ‐‐ but more
importantly a more
importantly, a more
nutrient‐dense (better
quality) diet.
We want grain!
To compensate for
reduced feed intake.
To meet demands of
growing fetuses.
To support udder development
and colostrum production.
To prevent pregnancy
toxemia and milk fever.
To ensure the birth of strong,
healthy lambs of moderate size
(weight).
Energy (TDN) is the nutrient
most likely to be deficient,
but protein (CP) can also be
deficient in the diet, due to
a reduced intake of feed.
Nutrient requirements vary:
q y
▪ Breed
▪ Size (weight)
▪ Age (lamb vs. mature)
▪ Number of fetuses
▪ Environment
by Susan Schoenian 2

3. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
Concentrates are usually
necessary to meet the
increased energy needs of
pregnant ewes, especially
those carrying multiple
fetuses.
If a low‐quality forage is fed,
it may also be necessary to
provide supplemental
calcium (Ca) and/or protein
(CP) in the concentrate diet.
Corn is only an energy supplement.
Disease risk
Pregnancy toxemia risk (TDN)
Milk fever risk (Ca)
Poorer immunity (CP)
Higher neonatal mortality
Smaller, weaker lambs
Reduced colostrum quality
and quantity.
Poorer performance
Reduced milk yield
Reduced wool production (in
the offspring) due to fewer
secondary follicles.
by Susan Schoenian 3

4. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
Pregnancy toxemia risk
Milk fever risk (Ca)
Ewes more likely to
prolapse their vagina.
Greater risk of dystocia
(difficult birthing).
Too much internal fat
h lf
Oversized fetuses
Fat, lazy ewes
Feed is expensive ‐ why do
you want to overfeed it?
Low blood sugar (glucose).
g (g )
Caused by an inadequate
intake of energy (TDN)
during late pregnancy.
Leads to a breakdown of fat
(energy reserves) into toxic
ketone bodies which overwhelm
the capacity of the liver (also called “fatty liver disease”).
Most commonly affects fat or thin ewes and those carrying
multiple fetuses (also called “twin lamb disease”).
Stress is another risk factor.
by Susan Schoenian 4

5. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
GOOD SOURCES POOR SOURCES
Feed stuff % TDN Feed stuff % TDN
Corn 88 Poor quality hay < 50
Barley 84 Poor quality pasture < 50
Oats 76 By‐products < 50
[corn cobs, straw]
By‐products ~75
[beet pulp, soy hulls, DDSG]
Commercial (sack) feed
( ) ~72
7
INTERMEDIATE SOURCES
Feed stuff % TDN
Good quality hay > 55
Good quality pasture (low DM) > 60
Calcium (Ca) requirements
virtually double during late
pregnancy . . . but you need to
avoid excessive calcium, too.
Milk fever is low blood calcium.
It is caused by inadequate Ca in
the diet or a failure of the ewe
to mobilize Ca reserves.
It can occur anywhere from six
weeks before lambing to 10
weeks after.
1. Pre‐partum (non‐dairy ewes)
2. Post‐partum (dairy ewes)
by Susan Schoenian 5

6. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
GOOD SOURCES INTERMEDIATE SOURCES
Feed stuff % Ca Feed stuff % Ca
Limestone 34.0 Grasses 0.30‐0.50
Dicalcium phosphate 22.0 Soybean meal 0.28‐0.38
Trace minerals 14‐18 Complete (sack) feed 0.55
Dry kelp 2.72
Balancer pellet 1.60
Legume h
L hays 1.3‐1.5 POOR SOURCES
Feed stuff % Ca
Corn 0.02
Oats , wheat 0.05
Barley 0.06
Image source: Informed Farmers (Can)
Soils in the Northeast are
considered low in Se.
id d l i S
During late gestation,
selenium crosses the
placenta to the fetuses.
Low levels of selenium and/or
vitamin E can result in . . .
White muscle disease (lambs)
1. Congenital vs. acquired
2. Cardiac vs. skeletal
Poor reproductive performance
Poor performance
by Susan Schoenian 6

7. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
Free choice mineral mixes
usually provide adequate
selenium . . . but do not
guarantee adequate intake.
Adding a selenium‐fortified
mineral mix to a concentrate
ration will ensure adequate
intake of selenium and other
i t k f l i d th
minerals.
Selenium and vitamin E can
be also supplemented orally
via gels or pastes.
On farms with a diagnosed
history of white muscle
disease or selenium deficiency,
Se/Vitamin E injections may
be given per the advice of a
small ruminant veterinarian.
Labeled dosage for Bo‐Se® [Rx]
1 ml/40 lbs. (1 ml min) for lambs
Not labeled for lambs under 2 weeks of age
Se Se
deficiency toxicity 2.5 ml/100 lbs. for ewes
Not labeled for pregnant ewes
by Susan Schoenian 7

8. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
Make sure all ewes
can eat at the same time.
can eat at the same time
Make sure all ewes get their fair
share of all feed.
Pay particularly close attention to
ewes that are old or compromised
in some way.
Separate pregnant ewe lambs from
S t t l b f
mature ewes and feed separately.
Remove rams after breeding
season and feed separately.
Do not feed on the ground.
Stress can predispose This is my
pregnant ewes to many special time.
special time
Leave me alone.
problems.
Minimize stress during
late pregnancy.
Examples:
Missed feedings
Erratic feeding schedule
E i f di h d l
Shearing, crutching
Moving, handling
Mixing groups
Dogs
Visitors
Weather (be prepared)
by Susan Schoenian 8

9. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
Lack of exercise may
increase the chances of
pregnancy toxemia and
other problems.
Daily exercise is
recommended
through‐out pregnancy.
Exercise can be
encouraged by
separating feed, water,
and minerals.
Fit, active ewes have fewer problems.
Vaccinate pregnant
p g
ewes approximately 1
month (but at least 2
weeks) before they are
due to lamb.
Lambs will acquire temporary,
pass e u ty a t e
passive immunity via the
colostrum ‐‐ provided they
consume adequate colostrum
What is adequate?
~10% of BW in first 24 hours
by Susan Schoenian 9

10. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
Ewes not previously
vaccinated will require two
q
vaccinations, 3‐4 weeks apart.
If the dam was not vaccinated
or the lamb did not consume
adequate colostrum, the
tetanus antitoxin should be
given at the time of docking
and/or castrating, especially if
rubber rings are used.
rubber rings are used
Lambs from vaccinated dams
should be vaccinated twice, 3
to 4 weeks apart, starting at 6
to 10 weeks of age.
Ewes suffer a temporary
loss of immunity to gastro‐
intestinal worms around the
time of parturition.
Fecal egg counts increase
If lambing occurs in the
spring, the egg rise will
coincide with the hypobiotic
yp
(dormant) larvae resuming
their life cycles.
The periparturient egg rise
is the primary source of
infection for new lambs.
by Susan Schoenian 10

11. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
Traditional approach
Deworm all ewes prior to
lambing (2‐4 weeks prior).
▪ Use an anthelmintic that
is effective against hypobiotic
larvae (e.g. ivermectin).
New approaches
Increase protein level in late
gestation ration.
t ti ti
How much? NRC by 30%
Use the FAMACHA© system
and Five Point Check© to
determine which ewes
require deworming.
In feed or mineral Why?
[no withdrawal period]
1. FDA approval: to prevent
FDA l t t
1. Bovatec® coccidiosis in lambs.
2. Deccox® Kill or inhibit coccidia
3. Rumensin® [Rx]
2. As an aid to prevent
abortions caused by
Toxoplasma gondii.
3. Rumen modifier:
R difi
propionic acid
by‐pass protein
digestive problems
methane gas
Coccidiostats, especially Rumensin® can be toxic to equines and dogs.
by Susan Schoenian 11

12. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
Why?
To prevent abortion
To prevent abortion.
1. If the flock has a history of
diagnosed abortions that can
be controlled with antibiotics,
e.g. Chlamydia, Vibrio.
2. In the event of an abortion
storm.
How?
1. y
Feed chlortetracycline
(aureomycin) at a rate of 80
mg/head/day during the last
6 weeks of gestation [OTC].
2. Inject oxytetracycline (LA‐
200) at two week intervals
during late gestation [Rx].
Results in cleaner, drier,
healthier environment for
h l hi i f
ewes and especially lambs.
Shorn ewes are less likely to
lay on their lambs.
Shorn ewes are more likely to
seek shelter for lambing.
Shorn ewes take up less
space in the barn and around
feeders.
Results in cleaner fleeces.
But . . . shorn ewes require
shelter and more feed. Image by Kelly Cole
by Susan Schoenian 12

13. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
FACILITIES
Clean, dry, draft‐free building
Drop area
Jugs (small pens for bonding)
e.g. 5 ft. x 5 ft
Individual feeders and waterers
Grafting stanchion
g
Mixing pens
Clean, well‐rested pasture
Shelter
Emergency jugs
SUPPLIES (partial list)
Colostrum source
Esophageal feeding tube
OB sleeves and lubricant
Disinfectant for dipping navels
Prolapse harness or spoon
Needles and syringes
Nipples or teats
Lamb milk replacer
b lk l
Propylene glycol
Calcium
Antibiotics
Thermometer
Record keeping booklet
More…
by Susan Schoenian 13

14. Late gestation: preparing for lambing 2/25/12
DO’S DON’TS
Increase nutrition (gradually) Overfeed
Feed pregnant ewe lambs Underfeed
separately
Encourage daily exercise Stress ewe
Minimize stress Introduce new animals
Vaccinate for CD‐T Change groupings
Manage periparturient Leave rams in
egg rise Worry
Feed a coccidiostat
Shear or crutch ewes
Prepare facilities
Gather/inventory supplies
Lambing should be fun!
Thank you for your
attention.
Any questions?
Susan Schoenian
sschoen@umd.edu
www.sheepandgoat.com
by Susan Schoenian 14