Getting lambs off to a fast start Dr. Dan Morrical Iowa State University 515-294-2904 morrical@iastate.edu

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

Lamb Mortality Study, Rook 1986/3600

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

Goals of Late Gestation Ration 1. Healthy, vigorous ewes 2. In condition for heavy milking Healthy, vigorous lambs of moderate size. High vitamin E status Iodine

Vitamin E levels 100 IU per head per day 20,000IU/lb costs $1.00 How to get it in Add to grain mixture if processed Add to mineral 1 pound of E concentrate to 5 pounds of mineral

ISU Results - Serum E ewes, DGM Con E-G E-L E-GL Pretreatment 1.27 1.26 Pre-lambing 1.51a 1.91b Post-lambinga .93a 1.13b Mid-lactation .97a .95a 1.28b 1.37b Milk e at 3 days 10.8 15.1 a,b Row means with different superscripts differ (p<.05).

Results - Serum E lambs Con E-G E-L E-GL 3 days 1.08 1.08

Iodine New NRC Solution Symptoms of iodine deficiency Increased iodine 3 fold for late gestation BMR Solution Iodized salt blocks Symptoms of iodine deficiency Goiter, fewer born, poor wool coat, still born, hypothermia

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

Birth Weight & Feedlot Performance Small Medium Large 8.5 8.6-13.3 13.4 Wt. gain/ .69 .75 .82 day of age Feed eff. 4.8 4.3 3.8 U. of Kentucky

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

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

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 Iodine

Prevention: Weak or Starved Pre-lambing shearing Observation Condition score Dryer environment Lamb indoors Easier nursing Intake Increases brown fat reserves

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 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. - Assure 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 assure future nutrition

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

Solution - Observation Paint brand Cubicles & lambing jugs Shear pre-lambing Stomach tube Proper feeding at lambing & weaning 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 Condition score Observation Feed antibiotics Intercom, video camera Feed antibiotics Vaccinate against vibrio, EAE Exercise? Assist after 30 minutes in labor Closed flock

Abortion Diseases Toxoplasmosis Campylobacter Chlamydia

Solutions Vaccinate campylobacter Vaccinate chlamydia Closed flock (Hygeia Labs, CA) Vaccinate chlamydia Closed flock Late gestation feed antibiotics 250 mg/hd/d, many strains are resistant Sanitation Isolation Pray

Pneumonia Causes Poorly ventilated buildings Inadequate space Wet bedding

Solution 20 ft.2 area for ewes with lambs Sulfa water treatment Open up barn Use more bedding Pre-lambing shearing Heated buildings 30CFM minimum ventilation 100 CFM above 350

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

Intestinal Disorders - Causes Wet bedding Stress Solutions- Lime jugs Adequate colostrum (esp. E. coli) Vaccinate ewes, lg CI. perfringens CD&T toxoid Increase space and bedding Relieve stress

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

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

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

Lambing Problems How Do You Know? 1 - Length of labor 2 - Position of feet Toes up okay Toes down backwards Tail first backwards One foot first 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 3 - Lambing Jugs 4 x 6, 5 x 6 4 - Observe often 5 - Check for inverted eyelids

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