Notes

Outline

Basic Lambing Length of labor Signs of labor Jugs/bonding pens not lambing pens

High stress high reward Lambing patterns Feeding times and lambing activity Sleep timely breeding

Facilities Bonding pens 4X6 or 5X5 Barn space 15-20 square feet

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

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

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

Solution - Observation Paint brand Cubicles & lambing jugs Shear pre-lambing Stomach tube Proper feeding at lambing & weaning Selenium &Vitamin E status

Trouble Shooting-Use the Thermometer Normal temp. - 101° - 102°F Elevated temp.-above 103°F (think infection) 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 120-200 ml colostrum (20 ml/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 treat as per VCP relationship-health protocol - Insure nutrition and hydration

Severe Hypothermia-below 99°F 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 insure future nutrition

Severe Hypothermia-below 99°F Over 6 hours old remove and dry supplement heat with warm dry moving air tube feed 120-200 ml colostrum precaution inject 50 ml of 20% dextrose into body cavity 1 inch beside and 1 inch behind navel w/ 20 ga 1/2 inch needle return when temperature normal 1-3 hours insure future nutrition

Stillbirths/dystocia Symptoms of dystocia yellow fleece causes - Fat ewes, Poor hybrid vigor, large BW Was it truly born dead? Stillborns -infectious -hypoxia (observation)

Solutions Condition score Observation Intercom, video camera Feed antibiotics Vaccinate against campylobacter and chlamydia BoSe ?????? Assist after 30 minutes in labor Selection

Pneumonia Causes poor air quality too many sheep wet bedding

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

Antibiotics Feeding 60-65 mg/day 6 weeks prior to lambing Results 65-73% ß in lamb losses University of Wyoming S.D. State University

Intestinal Disorders - Causes Wet bedding Stress Inadequate colostrum

Newborn Management 1 - Colostrum intake minimum 2 ounces/8 pounds ideal 10% of BW first 24 hrs. 2 - Clip - Dip - Strip castrate and dock early 3 - Lambing Jugs 4 x 6, 5 x 5 S 24 hr, Tw 48 hr, Tr 72 hr 4 - Observe often 5 - Check for inverted eyelids

Mastitis Management Early weaning 60 days or less Dry up ewes prior to weaning Reduce protein Reduce energy Remove water ?

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