Dehorning (cattle)

The younger the animal, the better!!

Dehorning can be done at any age but should preferably be done before 8 weeks of age. It is best done during the winter when there are very few flies.

Feeding

Supplementation with calcium, phosphorus and other minerals is important especially in the dry season. Lactating/milking animals, pregnant and big frame animals should be given special attention

WaterWater should be provided at all times for all types of livestock. Saline water with total dissolved solids (TDS) of less than 1000 mg/L is excellent for all classes of livestock and poultry.

NB: To convert electrical conductivity millisiemens per meter to milligram per liter (mS/m to mg/L) multiply by 5.5.

Management of newborn animals

Supervise lambing/kidding/calving (reduces deaths from dystocia) Immerse or spray the navel with iodine (based spray)- iodine helps prevent infection and promotes drying of the navel Ensure lambs/Kids/calves receive adequate colostrum intake. Should receive adequate amounts within 30 – 40 minutes of birth.Ensure the lambs/kids/calves can suckle by teat stripping to remove teat canal waxAssist lambs/kids/calves that have not nursed. May need to milk the dam to tube/bottle feed the lamb/kid/calve. Lamb/kids should be fed approximately 50ml/kg body weight 3 times a day (150ml per day). Monitor ewe and lamb for first few days after birthAssist lambs with matted faeces in the anal area (avoids constipation)Ideally keep the ewe with the kid for at least 2 - 3 daysVitamin E and selenium should be given 1 or 2 days after birthSchedule iron injections to piglets

Tail docking (lambs)

The best method for tail docking is to apply an elastrator band (rubber ring). The band should be applied when the lambs are at least 24 hrs old and not more than 7 days. Tails can also be cut using a knife; however, this is not recommended because it can cause excessive bleeding. The tail stub should be left long enough to cover the ewe’s vulva or ram’s anus.

Cattle Branding Owner brand on left thigh and zonal brand on left neck

BREEDING

The number of males required to adequately cover females (bull:cow or buck:doe or ram:ewe) is dependent on various factors. However, the following can be used as a guideline:

1 mature bull should be expected to cover 25 – 35 breeding females1 mature buck/ram should be expected to cover 20 – 30 does/ewes

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Castration

Lamb and kids must be castrated by the time they are six weeks of age regardless of the method used.

Elastrator Method: It must be done when the scrotum is very small i.e 3 days to 3 weeks.Burdizzo clamp: This is the best method to use during the fly season because it does not leave a big open wound. It is best done at 8 to 13 weeks.

Surgical removal of testicles poses risks of infection and fly infestation

Dipping

Oil based pour - ons and water soluble dips are available. Follow instructions and repeat as indicated

Vaccination for Heartwater (contact your extension area officer for advice)

Vaccinate naïve animals (animals from the sandveld) with heartwater blood vaccineAnimals must be monitored for at least 14 days and treated with an oxtetracycline when pyrexic body temperature is high

Deworming

Oral drenches ad injectables are availabe in market. Follow manufacturer instructions

VACCINATIOINS

SPECIES AFFECTED DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Cattle (Bovine) Anthrax (Kwatsi)/Black leg quarter evil (Serotswana) Vaccinate at 3 months of age, then booster 4 weeks later. Thereafter booster every year. Contact your extension office for public vaccination dates Botulism (Mokokomalo) Vaccinate at 3 months of age, then booster 4 weeks later. Thereafter give boosters every year before the dry season. Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVD) Vaccinate at 6 to 10 months of age. Calf Paratyphoid Vaccinate calves at 2 weeks old. Contagious Abortion (Pholotso) Vaccinate 4 – 8 month old heifers with S19 Brucella vaccine. Lumpy Skin Disease (Nkokomane) Vaccinate all animals before the rainy season (August/September) Pasteurellosis (madi) Vaccine at 2 months of age, give 1st booster 4 weeks later and a 2nd booster at 6 months of age. Thereafter booster annually. Campylobacteriosis/ Vibriosis Vaccinate breeding animals 8 weeks before service and then booster 4 weeks post service.

Sheep, Goats Anthrax (Kwatsi) Vaccinate at 3 months of age, then booster 4 weeks later. Thereafter booster every year Pulpy Kidney (Diphilo) (Clostridial infection) Vaccinate 1st injection at 3 months. 2nd injection 4 weeks later. Annual booster 2 – 6 weeks before lambing/kidding. Pasteurellosis (Madi) Vaccine at 2 months of age, give 1st booster 4 weeks later and a 2nd booster at 6 months of age, there after annual booster. In high risk areas booster twice a year before onset dry/rainy season Tetanus (Kitlano ya ditlha) Vaccinate with tetanus toxoid. 1st Injection at 2 weeks. 2nd injection 4 weeks later. Annual booster 2 – 6 weeks before lambing/kidding

NB: Combination vaccine and dewormer for Pulpy kidney, Malignant oedema, Tetanus, Swelled head, Blackleg, Round worms and Lung worms exist-. The vaccine is given to sheep and goats from 10 months of age, with boosters given annually. The vaccine can be given to breeding animals 6 weeks before parturition.

Horse, Donkeys African Horse Sickness Vaccinate foals at I month of age thereafter booster annually. Equine Influenza Give a primary course consisting of two vaccinations 4 – 6 weeks apart, then booster 6 months later. Thereafter booster annually.

Pigs Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Erysipelas Vaccinate with furrowsure plus B. Sows: 5ml i/m, 2 doses, 3 – 5 weeks apart. 2nd dose 2 – 4 weeks before breeding. Gilts: 2 weeks before breeding Boars: twice annually. Revaccinate sows and gilts 14 days before breeding

E.coli Vaccinate with littergaurd LT-C Primary vaccination: Healthy pregnant sows and gilts should receive 2 doses 14 days apart. 2nd dose 14 days before furrowing. Subsequent vaccinations.Revaccinate 2 weeks prior to furrowing. Mycoplasma Vaccinate with Hyoresp. Give 1st injection from 3 days of age and 2nd injection 3 – 4 weeks later.