Late Gestation

SUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy-nē-ŭn) Sheep & Goat Specialist

Western Maryland Research & Education Center

sschoen@umd.edu – www.sheepandgoat.com

2011 Ewe and Doe Management

Webinar Series

SMALL RUMINANT PROGRAM

Jan 13 I. Late GestationJan 20II. VaccinationsFeb 3 III. ParturitionFeb 10 IV. Neonatal CareFeb 17 V. LactationFeb 24 VI. Weaning

2011 Ewe and Doe Management Webinar Series

Late gestationLast 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy (142-158 days)

The most critical period in the female’s production cycle.

What’s happening?!70 percent of fetal

growth is occurring.

Ewe lambs and doe kids are still growing themselves!

The udder tissue is developing.

Rumen capacity is decreasing.

Boer x Nubian doe (carrying triplets)

Extra nutrition is needed

Why?To support fetal growth

To support udder development

To prevent pregnancy toxemia (ketosis) and milk fever.

To ensure the birth of strong, healthy babies of moderate birth weight.

Nutrient requirements of a 176-lb. mature ewe (twins) at different stages of production

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

DM intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)

Maintenance Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation

NRC 2007

Lbs.

per

day

Stage % TDN % CP Maintenance 53.1% 7.2% Early gestation 53.5% 8.2% Late gestation 66.2% 9.9% Early lactation 66.6% 14.7%

Nutrition During Late Gestation

Energy (TDN) is the nutrient most likely to be deficient in the late gestation diet of ewes and does.

Nutrient requirements vary by species, age, size (weight), and number of fetuses.

To meet energy needs, you usually need to feed some grain.

If forage quality is low, you may also need to supplement protein and calcium.

Do not underfeed (including the fat ones)

Pregnancy toxemia (ketosis)

Small and weak babies

Higher mortality

Reduced colostrum quality and quantity

Poor milk yield

Reduced wool production (in offspring) via fewer secondary follicles

Inadequate nutrition can result in . . .

Do not overfeed(including the skinny ones)

Because . . .

Fat females are more prone to pregnancy toxemia.

Overfed females have more dystocia problems.

Large fetuses can have difficulty being born.

What you should doBalance or evaluate a ration to

see if what you are feeding is meeting the nutrient requirements of your pregnant females.

Adjust, if necessary

What we usually doFree choice hay + some grain

(1/2 to 1 lb. per head per day) Introduce grain slowly and

increase incrementally.

Nutrition during late gestation

http://www.sheepandgoat.com/feed.html#ration

Energy (TDN) requirements as affected by species and genetic potential for a 132-lb. mature female

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

Maintenance Early Gestation Late gestation Early lactation

Dairy doe Non-dairy doe Ewe Parlor-milked ewe Parlor-milked doe

NRC 2007

Lbs.

per

day

Nutrient requirements of different size ewes in late gestation (twin fetuses)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Dry matter intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)

110-lb. ewe 154-lb. ewe 198-lb. eweNRC, 2007

Lbs.

per

day

Size % TDN % CP

110-lb. ewe 65.9% 10.1%

154-lb. ewe 66.0% 10.0%

198-lb. ewe 52.9% 8.6%

Nutrient requirements of different size (non-dairy) does in late gestation (twin fetuses)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

Dry matter intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)

66-lb. doe 110-lb. doe 154-lb. doe

NRC, 2007, Errata

Lbs.

per

day

Size % TDN % CP

66-lb. doe 80.1% 15.4%

110-lb. doe 66.4% 13.1%

154-lb. doe 66.5% 12.8%

Nutrient requirements of ewes in late gestationas affected by age

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

DM intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)

176-lb. mature ewe (twins) 132-lb. ewe lamb (twins) 110-lb. ewe lamb (twins) 110-lb. ewe lamb (single)

NRC, 2007

Lbs.

per

day

% TDN % CP 176-lb. mature ewe (twins) 66.5% 10.0% 132-lb. ewe lamb (twins) 79.5% 10.5% 110-lb. ewe lamb (twins) 79.5% 10.5% 110-lb. ewe lamb (single) 79.4% 10.0%

Nutrient requirements of a 154-lb. ewe during late gestation, as affected by number of fetuses

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

DM intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)

Single birth Twin lambs Three or more

NRC, 2007

Lbs.

per

day

# fetuses % TDN % CPSingle birth 53.3% 8.3%Twin lambs 66.0% 10.0%

Three or more 66.2% 10.2%

2.00

2.20

2.40

2.60

2.80

3.00

3.20

3.40

3.60

3.80

4.00

Po

un

ds o

f T

DN

32 25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 -10

Environmental temperature ºF

TDN requirements

Effect of a lower critical temperature on the energy requirements of a goat needing 2.8 lbs. of TDN.

Selenium (Se) and vitamin E

Many soils are deficient in selenium (Se). http://tin.er.usgs.gov/geochem/doc/averages/se/usa.html

Low levels of Se and/or vitamin E have been associated with …

Poor reproductive performance Retained placentas White muscle disease in lambs and

kids.

Se is passed from the placenta to the fetus during late gestation

Selenium (Se) and vitamin E

Free choice mineral mixes usually provide adequate selenium.

Adding a selenium-fortified mineral mix to the grain ration should ensure adequate intake of Se.

On farms with a history of white muscle disease, Se injections are sometimes necessary.

Bo-Se must be obtained from a licensed veterinarian.

There is a narrow range between what animals need and Se toxicity.

CalciumCalcium requirements virtually

double during late pregnancy.

Milk fever is caused by low blood calcium resulting from … An inadequate intake of calcium Failure to mobilize calcium

reserves.

You also need to avoid excessive Ca intake. Save alfalfa or similar hay for

lactation diet.This ewe required IV calcium.

Mineral requirements of a 176-lb. ewe (twins)

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

Calcium Phosphorus

Maintenance Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation

NRC, 2007

Gra

ms

per d

ay

Stage of productionMineral requirements of a 132-lb. doe (twins)

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

Calcium Phosphorus

Maintenance Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation

NRC, 2007

Gra

ms

per d

ay

Calcium

Grains (corn, barley, and oats) and soybean meal are low in calcium.

Forages are higher in calcium, especially legumes.

Supplemental Ca Complete grain mixes Mineral supplements

Limestone (38%) Dicalcium phosphate (25%)

Trace minerals (14-18%) Kelp (2.7% Ca)

If a low quality forage is fed, calcium should be added to the grain ration.

Proper feed bunk management

Make sure all ewes or does can eat at the same time.

Feed pregnant ewe lambs and doelings separately from mature females.

Separate males after breeding.

Do not feed on the ground.

Pre-lambing/kidding vaccinationsCD-T: clostridium perfringins type C & D (overeating disease) and tetanus

Vaccinate pregnant females approximately one month prior to parturition.

Only way to protect lambs and kids from type C overeating disease and provide early immunity to tetanus.

Females never vaccinated before or whose vaccination status is unknown should receive two vaccinations during late pregnancy.

Do not vaccinate within 2 weeks of parturition.

Lambs and kids will acquire passive immunity when they consume colostrum (first milk).

Periparturient egg riseSmall ruminant females suffer a temporary

loss of immunity to parasites around and after parturition.

Management options

Deworm all females prior to lambing or kidding. At the time of vaccination

or two weeks prioror at the time of parturition

Use the FAMACHA© system and Five Point Check© to determine the need for deworming individual females.

Increase the level of protein in the ration during late gestation.

Do not administer Valbazen® during first 30 days of pregnancy.

Feed a coccidiostatTo reduce the number coccidia oocytes in the lambing and kidding environment

In feed or mineral Bovatec® - sheep Rumensin® - goats Deccox® - both

Continue through weaning.

As an aid to prevent abortions caused by Toxoplasma gondii.

Coccidiostats, especially Rumensin® are toxic to the equine family.

AntibioticsIf there is a flock history or risk of abortions

1) Feed Chlortetracycline

(aureomycin) fed at a level of 80 mg/head/day during the last 6 weeks of gestation

2) Injections Oxytetracycline (LA-

200) at 2 week intervals.

Give injectable antibiotics to remaining females.

Isolate aborting females

Submit fetuses and placenta to diagnostic lab.

Destroy fetuses, fluid, and placenta from abortion females.

Disinfect pens.

In the event of an abortion “storm”

Shear or crutch before lambing/kidding (about one month prior)

Results in a cleaner, drier, healthier, environment for babies.

Shorn ewes are less likely to lay on their lambs.

Ewes take up less space in barn and around feeders

Results in cleaner fleeces

Shorn ewes will seek shelter

Shorn ewes/does will need more feed to compensate for heat loss from shearing.

Freshly shorn ewes/does require adequate shelter.Crutching – removal of wool around udder and vulva area.

Get your facilities, equipment, and supplies ready 2 weeks before the first babies are due.

Clean, dry, draft-free building (cold or inclement weather) Put dams and offspring in

small pen after parturition\ Called a “jug” 5 ft. by 5 ft. (bigger or

smaller depending upon size of female)

1-3 days

Clean, well-rested pastures (during mild weather) Have shelter available Pen dams and offspring with

problem

Lambing and kidding

Frozen colostrum Prolapse retainer or

harness Weigh sling Milk replacer Colostrum supplement Elastrator OB lube Needles and syringes Ear tags OB sleeves Antibiotic(s) Rubber rings OB lubricant

Recommended supplies to have on hand

Nylon rope or snare Nipples/teats OB S-curved needle Esophageal feeding tube Disinfectant Hanging scale Thermometer Heat lamp or warming box Dextrose (glucose) Oral dosing syringe Propylene glycol Bo-Se Calcium borogluconate Pocket record keeping book

Do’s and don’ts during late gestation

DO’s• Increase nutrient intake

(increase grain intake slowly)• Monitor calcium intake• Feed a coccidiostat• Vaccinate for CD-T• Encourage exercise• Shear or crutch full-fleeced

animals.• Deworm or evaluate need for

deworming• Prepare facilities• Inventory supplies

DON’T’sIntroduce new animalsMix pregnant ewe lambs

and doelings with mature females

OverfeedUnderfeedStress Leave males in

Thank you for your attention. Questions?

SMALL RUMINANT PROGRAM

SUSAN SCHOENIANwww.sheepandgoat.com

sschoen@umd.edu