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

2. Lamb losses and Profit u Baby lamb losses u 10-25 % per year u most of the losses are before 72 hrs u without records you do not know

3. Lamb Mortality Study, Rook 1986/3600

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

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

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

7. Birth Weight SmallMediumLarge 8.58.6-13.313.4 Wt. gain/.69.75.82 day of age Feed eff.4.84.33.8 U. of Kentucky Birth Weight & Feedlot Performance

8. 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 12-13 twin 11-11.5 triplet 9-10 So what is the right birth weight?

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

10. 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

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

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

13. Trouble Shooting-Use the Thermometer u Normal temp. - 101° - 102°F u Elevated temp.-above 103°F (think infection) u Cold Lambs - mild hypothermia 99°-102°F - severe hypothermia below 99°F

14. Mild Hypothermia 99°-102°F 1) Remove and dry 2) Supplement warm dry heat (100°-103°F max. temp.) 3) Tube feed 120-200 ml colostrum (20 mls/lb.) 4) Return when rectal temperature is normal (1-3 hours) 5) Assure future nutrition

15. 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

16. Severe Hypothermia- below 99°F u *Under 6 hours old remove and dry supplement heat warm dry moving air 100-103°F tube feed 120-200 ml colostrum return when temperature normal 1-3 hours assure future nutrition

17. Severe Hypothermia- below 99°F *Over 6 hours old remove and dry supplement heat with warm dry moving air 100- 103°F max tube feed 120-200 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

18. 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

19. 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)

20. 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

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

22. 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

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

24. 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

25. Antibiotics u 60-65 mg/day u 6 weeks prior to lambing u Results 65-73%  in lamb losses Univ. of Wyoming S.D. State univ.

26. 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

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

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

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

30. 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

31. 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 6 4 - Observe often 5 - Check for inverted eyelids

32. 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 ?