Northeast Lambing/Kidding Project Dr. tatiana Luisa Stanton Cornell University Goat Extension Program with contributions from Dr. Richard E. Ehrhardt, Sandy VonAllmen, Kirby Selkirk, Natasha Pellifor & numerous NY farmers with contributions from Dr. Richard E. Ehrhardt, Sandy VonAllmen, Kirby Selkirk, Natasha Pellifor & numerous NY farmers

First … WHY?

Labor demands and feed requirements at birthing are cited by sheep and goat farmers as a major reason for why they do not expand or why they consider retirement

Can we reduce labor inputs and feed costs at lambing/kidding without adversely affecting kid and lamb mortality and herd productivity?

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

Neonatal mortality is greatly affected by: Your herd’s preventative health management programYour herd’s preventative health management program Your herd’s nutritional programYour herd’s nutritional program How adequate your facilities are for the season of the year your animals give birth inHow adequate your facilities are for the season of the year your animals give 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 contribute substantially to neonatal mortality regardless of how much labor you put into the birthing season

How well you respond to crisis

Ways to keep labor and operating costs down Winter/Early Spring Winter/Early Spring Late Spring/Summer Late Spring/Summer Fall Fall

Birthing checks Are you on the farm a lot? Are the animals in easy view? Are your facilities adequate for the season? Have you culled does/ewes with dystocia problems? Have you addressed management problems that led to dystocia or weak newborns?

Winter Heat?  Safety  Type  Cost  Ventilation

1000 watt overhead heaters

Propane or butane heaters

Bedding hay left right by jugs

“Juggling” sheep/goats around What is your animal flow from Birthing  Jugs?  Mother/offspring areas

Access in and out of jugs

Artificial Rearing

Grafting newborns - Is it an option? When successful – Greatly reduces or even eliminates need for artificial rearing Greatly reduces or even eliminates need for artificial rearing Improves animal performance and ultimate welfare Improves animal performance and ultimate welfare Reduces labor inputs during birth period Reduces labor inputs during birth 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

Handling animals

Questions?