1. This presentation was initially prepared for a Lambing and Kidding School held December 8, in Westminster, MD.

2. Feeding the pregnant and lactating female
Susan Schoenian Sheep & Goat Specialist University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Western Maryland Research & Education Center

3. Today’s presentation Nutrients Sources of nutrients
Nutrient requirements
Practical feeding recommendations for pregnant and lactating does
Nutritional disorders related to lambing and kidding

4. Nutrients for sheep and goats
Energy
Protein
Minerals
Vitamins
Water
Roughage (fiber)

5. Energy Needed in the most amount. Usually the most limiting nutrient.
Excess is stored as fat.
Expressed as . . .
TDN – total digestible nutrients (%)
ME – metabolizable energy (mcal)
NE for maintenance, growth, lactation, and fiber production (mcal)

6. Sources of Energy
High
Cereal grains (76-88%) Corn, barley, wheat, sorghum, rye, oats
By-product feeds (76-90%) Soy hulls, distiler’s grains, corn gluten, wheat middlings
Moderate
Corn silage (65-72%)
Haylage (50-60%
Good quality pasture (60-70%)
Good quality hay (50-60%)
Low
Low quality hay (40-50%)
Low quality pasture (< 50%)
Straw (40-48%)
By-products (<40%) cottonseed hulls, peanut hulls, oat hulls

7. Protein Composed of amino acids.
Bypass or escape protein increases protein efficiency.
Quantity more important than quality.
Usually most expensive ingredient.
Excess protein is not stored in the body. It will be used inefficiently as energy.
Excess N is an environmental concern.

8. Sources of protein Highest Moderate Low Lowest
Protein meals (46-52%) Plant - soybean meal, cottonseed meal, peanut meal
Fish meal (66%)
Urea (NPN) (288%)
Moderate
Alfalfa and other legume hays (13-21%)
Low
Grass hay (10-12%)
Cereal grains (8-14%)
Lowest
Poor quality hay (<10%)
Straw (3-5%)

9. Minerals Required in small quantities (grams)
Macro – salt, Ca, P, Mg, K, and S
Micro (trace) – Se, I, Cu, Fe, Mo, Cr, F, Zn, and Mn
Balance of minerals is important.
Example: Ca:P
Many interactions.
Example: Cu-Mo-S
Sources:
Hay, pasture, grain
Mineral mixes, blocks, tubs

10. Sources of calcium High Moderate Poor Limestone (38%) Bonemeal (24%)
Dicalcium phosphate (25%)
Moderate
Alfalfa and other legume hays and pasture ( %)
Soybean hulls (0.55%)
Grass hay and pasture ( %)
Protein meals ( %)
Poor
Cereal grains ( %)

11. Vitamins Ruminants have a dietary requirement for Vitamin A, D, and E.
Vitamin K and B-vitamins are manufactured by the rumen.
No dietary requirement for Vitamin C or D.
Sources of vitamins
Natural sources
Vitamin packs
Mineral mixes, blocks, tubs

12. More expensive, but convenient and properly balanced.
Manufactured feeds
Blends of ingredients that are formulated to supply all (complete) or defined portions (supplement) of the requirements of targeted animal).
Complete feeds
Protein supplements or balancers
Mineral mixes, blocks, tubs
Use properly!
More expensive, but convenient and properly balanced.

13. Alternative feeds Feed % DM % TDN % CP % Ca - % P Beet pulp (wet) 1776 11
Bread by-product 68 91 14
Corn stalks 80 59 5
Grain screenings 90 65
Kelp (dried) 32 7
Poultry litter (dried) 87 64 25
3.0 – 2.5
Potatoes, cull 21 10
Pumpkins, cull 85 16
Soybean hulls 77 12
Whole cottonseed 95 23
Whole soybeans 88 93 40

14. Water The most essential nutrient Intake (need) varies by . . .
Moisture in feed
Lactation (2-3 gal) > Gestation > Maintenance (1/2 to 1 gal)
Late Gestation > Mid and early gestation
Triplets, twins > single
Sheep > goats
Milk type sheep and goats > meat type
Summer > winter

15. Roughage Should be primary source of feed intake.
Maintains healthy rumen function.
Less problems when sheep and goats are forage-fed.
Minimum amount of roughage is ½ lb. per 100 lbs. of body weight.

16. Nutrient requirements depend on …
Size (weight)
Age
Stage and level of production
Climate and environment
Body condition

17. Size (weight) Nutrient requirements for different mature size ewes in late gestation, carrying twin lambs.
NRC, 1985

18. Size (weight) Nutrient requirements for different mature size females in late gestation, carrying twin lambs.
NRC, 1985

19. Ewe lambs require a more nutrient dense diet.
Age Nutrient requirements for ewe lambs and mature ewes (132-lb. ewes, late gestation, 150% lambing rate)
Ewe lambs require a more nutrient dense diet.
NRC, 1985
Ewe lambs and doelings also have difficulty competing for feeder space.

20. Ewe lambs require a higher percent of protein in their diets.
Age Nutrient requirements for ewe lambs and mature ewes (132-lb. ewes, late gestation, 150% lambing rate)
Ewe lambs require a higher percent of protein in their diets.
NRC, 1985
Ewe lambs and doelings also have difficulty competing for feeder space.

21. Ewe lambs require a higher percent of calcium in their diets.
Age Nutrient requirements for ewe lambs and mature ewes (132-lb. ewes, late gestation, 150% lambing rate)
Ewe lambs require a higher percent of calcium in their diets.
NRC, 1985
Ewe lambs and doelings also have difficulty competing for feeder space.

22. Stage of production Nutrient requirements of a 154-lb
Stage of production Nutrient requirements of a 154-lb. mature ewe that raises twin lambs.
NRC, 1985

23. Stage of production Nutrient requirements of a 154-lb
Stage of production Nutrient requirements of a 154-lb. mature ewe that raises twin lambs,
NRC, 1985

24. Stage of production Nutrient requirements of a 154-lb
Stage of production Nutrient requirements of a 154-lb. mature ewe that raises twin lambs
NRC, 1985

25. Level of Production Nutrient requirements of a 176-lb. lactating ewe.
NRC, 2007

26. Level of Production Nutrient requirements of 176-lb. lactating ewe.
NRC, 2007

27. Level of Production Nutrient requirements of 176-lb. lactating ewe.
NRC, 2007

28. Climate and environment Below critical temperature, livestock must expend energy to keep warm.
Wind and humidity, along with low temperatures increase body heat losses and increase energy requirements of livestock.
A sheep’s critical temperature depends upon the length of its fleece and its feeding program.
50ºF for freshly shorn sheep.
28ºF for sheep with 2.5 in. fleece

29. Climate and environment Below critical temperature, livestock must expend energy to keep warm.
Critical temperature for beef cattle with a winter coat is 32ºF (61ºF if their coat is wet).
There is a 1% increase in energy requirements for each 1ºF below the critical temperature.
High quality hay is the preferred feed source because more body heat is produced when it is digested (vs. grain).

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

31. Exercise/Activity Nutrient requirements increase with exercise and activity.
Nutrient requirements can be affected by travel distance and land topography.
Exercise may be a function of forage availability.
NRC requirements take into account normal exercise of grazing sheep.
NRC requirements are for goats reared in confinement.

32. Body condition scoring (BCS)
A valuable management tool that can be used to evaluate the feeding program and the need for changes.
Body condition is a better indicator of condition than weight.
The most important times to body condition score are breeding, late gestation, and weaning.
Body condition scoring estimates fat and muscle on a scale of 1 to 5. Half scores are commonly used. The cattle system (1-9) can also be used.
1 BCS equals 13% of the live weight of a female in moderate condition (3-3.5).
Exact score is not important as the relative scores and the differences between scores.

33. Body condition scoring
1 – emaciated
2 – thin
3 – average
4 – fat
5 – obese

34. Life cycle feeding of ewes and does
Maintenance (dry period)
Breeding
Early pregnancy
Mid-pregnancy
Late pregnancy
Early lactation
Late lactation
Weaning

35. Practical feeding recommendations for pregnant and lactating females
Goal: feed proper amount and balance of nutrients.
Quantity (lbs) more important that quality (%).
Make forage the main part of the diet.

36. Practical feeding recommendations for pregnant and lactating females
Balance ration (proper way)
By hand (math)
Simultaneous equations (Algebra)
Pearson Square
Use computer program
Use spreadsheet
Web-based ration balancing
Feed by “rule of thumb”

37. Balance a ration Know nutrient requirements of animals (NRC tables)
Know nutrient composition of feeds (test feed or use “book” values)
Determine how much hay you need to feed to meet the energy requirements.
Make sure the animal can consume the amount of hay that you calculate she needs by looking up dry matter intake in NRC table.
Calculate how much protein, Ca, and P the hay is providing.
Add supplement(s) to hay or pasture ration to provide the protein, Ca, and P that the hay lacks. .

38. Start with forage Pasture, weeds, browse, hay, silage
Feed supplements to provide nutrients that the forage is lacking.
Feed supplement(s) to provide a more nutrient-dense diet.
Feed supplement(s) to improve health and performance.
Feed supplements to save money.

39. Feeding hay Hay varies tremendously in nutritive quality.
Have your forage tested to determine its nutritive quality.
Round bales are less expensive to purchase, but result in more wastage and nutrient loss.
There’s less waste and more flexibility when feeding square bales, but they are more expensive.
When hay is offered free choice, livestock often overeat.

40. Feeding according to “rules of thumb”
Forage
Feed 3 to 4 lbs. of grass hay (or pasture) during early and mid gestation.
Feed 4 to 5 lbs. of average quality hay (or pasture) during late gestation.
During late gestation, you may need to supplement Ca if feeding a grass hay (don’t depend on free choice minerals).
Save alfalfa hay for lactation when the female’s nutritional needs are the highest.
Feed poor quality hay prior to and after weaning.
Bigger amounts for big females and smaller amounts for smaller females.

41. Feeding according to “rules of thumb”
Concentrate/grain
No grain during early and mid pregnancy.
Feed ½ to 1 lb. of grain per day to females during late gestation.
Start with a ¼ lb. of grain and gradually increase amount of grain in diet.
May need to feed more if you expect a birthing percentage greater than 200%.
Grain can substitute for some of the hay in the ration, but be CAREFUL.
Bigger amounts for big females and smaller amounts for smaller females.

42. Feeding according to “rules of thumb”
After parturition
Plenty of water. Warm water in winter.
Forage for the first few days.
Take about a week to get the ewe/doe on full feed.

43. Feeding according to “rules of thumb”
Lactation
Feed 4 to 5 lbs. of your best quality hay + 1 lb. of grain for each offspring the female is nursing.
Separate females into production groups: singles, twins, and triplets.
If feeding alfalfa hay or another legume, the grain can be whole corn or barley.
If feeding grass hay, you will need to supplement protein and calcium in the grain ration.
Bigger amounts for big females and smaller amounts for smaller females.

44. Additional tips for feeding
Weigh feed.
Don’t rely on free choice minerals.
Include Bovatec®, Rumensin® or Deccox® in ration to prevent coccidiosis. **They are toxic to equines**
Feed whole grains.
Split feedings if you’re feeding a lot of grain.
Separate animals into groups according to their nutritional needs.
Feed and manage ewe lambs/doelings separate from mature females.
Aim for moderate body condition scores.

45. Health risks related to lambing and kidding
Influenced by nutrition and feeding:
Pregnancy toxemia
Milk fever
Vaginal prolapse
Abortion
White muscle disease

46. Pregnancy toxemia Low blood glucose, ketosis, twin lamb disease, lambing paralysis, sleeping ewe sickness
Symptoms [1-3 weeks before parturition]
Lethargy
Sluggishness
Lack behind
Failure to eat
Recumbency
Stiff gait
Neurological dysfunction
Coma  death
Differential diagnosis: milk fever

47. Pregnancy toxemia Low blood glucose, ketosis, twin lamb disease, lambing paralysis, sleeping ewe sickness
Risk factors
Inadequate nutrition insufficient energy density
Multiple fetuses high energy demand by fetuses
Obesity fat mobilization  toxic ketone bodies
Poor body condition
Lack of exercise
Stress
Environment Severe weather conditions

48. Pregnancy toxemia Low blood glucose, ketosis, twin lamb disease, lambing paralysis, sleeping ewe sickness
Treatment
Oral glucose Propylene glycol
IV glucose
Caesarian section
Prevention
Adequate energy in diet
Adequate feeder space
Proper body condition
Exercise
Minimize stress

49. Milk fever low blood calcium, hypocalcemia, parturient paresis
Symptoms [late pregnancy  early lactation]
Sudden onset
Recumbency
Neck turned back
Muscle weakness
Muscle tremors
Bloat
Coma  death
Differential diagnosis: pregnancy toxemia

50. Milk fever low blood calcium, hypocalcemia, parturient paresis
Risk factors
Fetal demands for calcium
Demands for colostrum production.
Calcium deficiency
Overfeeding calcium
Stress, especially nutritional

51. Milk fever low blood calcium, hypocalcemia, parturient paresis
Treatment
Oral calcium Calcium borogluconate
IV calcium
Dextrose
Prevention
Proper amount of calcium in diet
Minimize stress
Save alfalfa for lactation.

52. Vaginal prolapse protrusion of vagina through vulva
Causes
Increased abdominal pressure
Calcium status ????
Short tail docks ???
Internal fat
Gravity
Genetics
Treatment
Replace, purse string (suture)
Bearing retainer, spoon
Prolapse harness
Cull
Usually occurs 1-3 weeks prior to lambing.
Often corrects itself after lambing.

53. Abortion Termination of pregnancy Stillborns
Risk factors
Ingestion of bacteria.
Spoiled feed.
Consumption of contaminated feed contaminated with cat feces.
Treatment
Antibiotics
Isolate affected females
Aborting females develop immunity
Termination of pregnancy
Stillborns
Weak lambs and kids that diet shortly after birth.
Failure to expel dead fetuses can result in death to the female.

54. White muscle disease nutritional muscular dystrophy, stiff lamb disease, muscular hypertrophy
Deficiency of selenium and/or vitamin E
New born lambs, kids
Sudden exercise may trigger condition
Symptoms
Skeletal – treat with vit E/Se shot
Mild stiffness to obvious pain upon walking to inability to stand
Stiff gait
Hunched-up appearance
Cardiac
Pneumonia
Difficulty breathing
Frothy nasal discharge
Fever
Irregular and elevated heart and respiratory rates.

55. White muscle disease nutritional muscular dystrophy, stiff lamb disease, muscular hypertrophy
Risk factors
Selenium deficient soils
Poor quality forages
Lack of pasture access
Low Se feeds
Prevention
Provide adequate selenium and vitamin E in diet
Se/Vit E injections – be careful

56. Proper nutrition is the key to a successful lambing and kidding season.