Getting lambs off to a fast start Dan Morrical Iowa State University

Lamb losses and Profit u Baby lamb losses u % per year u most of the losses are before 72 hrs u without records you do not know

Lamb Mortality Study, Rook 1986/3600

Winter Lambs 251/lambs/124 ewes Spring Lambs 151 lambs/74 ewes Fall 148 Lambs/ 81 ewes McNay Death Loss by Seasons 1995

Goals of Late Gestation Ration 1. Healthy, vigorous ewes 2. In condition for heavy milking 3. Healthy, vigorous lambs of moderate size.

Birth Weight on Livability Best 11.4 pounds VPI 1 pound increase in birth weight = 4%  in death loss Texas A & M

Birth Weight SmallMediumLarge Wt. gain/ day of age Feed eff U. of Kentucky Birth 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 ewesingle twin triplet 9-10 So what is the right birth weight?

Goal of Lambing Season Management “Maximize Lamb Livability” Starts before lambing What you do can not raise number born

Causes of Death u Starvation u Poor ewe condition u Weak ewe or lamb u Plugged teats u Mastitis u Mis-mothering u Poor suckling

Prevention: Weak or Starved u Adequate ewe nutrition (i.e. good condition) u Energy level of diet u Crossbreeding u Exercise u Weaning management

Prevention: Weak or Starved u Pre-lambing shearing u Observation u Condition score u Dryer environment u Lamb indoors u Easier nursing u Intake

Trouble Shooting-Use the Thermometer u Normal temp ° - 102°F u Elevated temp.-above 103°F (think infection) u Cold Lambs - mild hypothermia 99°-102°F - severe hypothermia below 99°F

Mild Hypothermia 99°-102°F 1) Remove and dry 2) Supplement warm dry heat (100°-103°F max. temp.) 3) Tube feed ml colostrum (20 mls/lb.) 4) Return when rectal temperature is normal (1-3 hours) 5) Assure future nutrition

Elevated Temperature- above 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- below 99°F u *Under 6 hours old remove and dry supplement heat warm dry moving air °F tube feed ml colostrum return when temperature normal 1-3 hours assure future nutrition

Severe Hypothermia- below 99°F *Over 6 hours old remove and dry supplement heat with warm dry moving air °F max tube feed 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 - Observation u Paint brand u Cubicles & lambing jugs u Shear pre-lambing u Stomach tube u Proper feeding at lambing & weaning u Selenium status

Stillborns/dystocia Symptoms 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)

Solutions u Condition score u Observation u Intercom, video camera u Feed antibiotics u Vaccinate against vibrio, EAE u BoSe ?????? u Assist after 30 minutes in labor

Abortion Diseases u Iowa ã Camphylobacter (vibrio) ã Enzootic abortion in ewes (EAE) ã Toxoplasmosis

Solutions u Vaccinate vibrio/EAE u Closed flock u Late gestation feed antibiotics u (5 mg/lb. if abortion occurs) u Sanitation u Isolation u Pray

Pneumonia u Causes j Poorly ventilated buildings j Inadequate space j Wet bedding

Solution u 20 ft. 2 area for ewes with lambs u Sulfa water treatment u Open up barn u Use more bedding u Pre-lambing shearing

Antibiotics u mg/day u 6 weeks prior to lambing u Results 65-73%  in lamb losses Univ. of Wyoming S.D. State univ.

Intestinal Disorders - Causes u Wet bedding u Stress u Solutions- U Lime jugs U Adequate colostrum (esp. Ecoli) U Vaccinate ewes U CI. perfringens C & D toxoid U Increase space and bedding U Relieve stress

Equipment & Supplies u Colostrum u Lamb Reviver i.e. stomach tube u Thermometer u Head Snare u Ropes or dog choke collars

Equipment...cont. u Lubricant u Cubicles u Gloves u Intercom u Bonding Pens

Equipment...cont. u Grafting Stanchion u Hot box / incubator u Towels u Biologicals

Lambing Problems u How Do You Know? u 1 - Length of labor u 2 - Position of feet u Toes up okay u Toes down backwards u Tail first backwards u One foot first u Nose first

Newborn Management 1 - Colostrum intake - minimum 2 ounces/8 pounds - ideal 10% of BW first 24 hrs. 2 - Clip - Dip - Strip castrate early castrate early 3 - Lambing Jugs 4 x 6, 5 x 6 4 x 6, 5 x Observe often 5 - Check for inverted eyelids

Weaning u Wean early j 60 days or less j Dry up ewes prior to weaning j Remove protein j Remove energy j Remove water ?