Sheep & Goat Nutrition, Sheep Parturition & Lamb Care

When does a sheep go into estrus?

every 16 days from August to December

When does a goat go into estrus?

every 18-21 days from September to January

What is a sheep’s gestation period?

144-152 days

What is a goat’s gestation period?

136-160 days; average of 150 days

How do sheep and goats eating habits differ?

Sheep are grazers and like to eat food that is low to the ground whilst goats are browsers and will eat food that is higher up off of the ground

What is the ideal housing for goats?

1) many places to climb

2) high fencing

3) plenty of shelter

What is the ideal housing for sheep?

1) plenty of shelter and regular fencing

2) not much enrichment

What is a creep feeder?

a separate area for babies to eat where their mothers cannot reach

What is flushing?

feeding females on a higher plane of nutrition to induce multiple ovulations

What’s the esophageal groove?

Tube-like structure that ruminants are born with which forms when babies are suckling so their milk can go directly to the abomasum; reduces as they stop suckling so rumen, reticulum, and omasum can form

What are the clinical signs/symptoms of Milk Fever(Hypocalcemia)?

1) ataxia

2) stiff gait

3) recumbency

4) death

What are the causes of Milk Fever(Hypocalcemia)?

1) low calcium levels

2) fetus pulling calcium from mother

3) freshening(onset of lactation)

What is the treatment for Milk Fever(Hypocalcemia)?

IV Calcium Gluconate

What is the prevention for Milk Fever(Hypocalcemia)?

maintain a Calcium-Phosphorus ratio of 2:1

What are the types of Enterotoxemia(overeating disease)?

Type C: causes necrotic enteritis

Type D: causes neurological symptoms

What are the clinical signs/symptoms of Enterotoxemia(overeating disease)?

1) ataxia

2) muscle tremors

3) paralysis

4) coma

5) death

What are the causes of Enterotoxemia(overeating disease)?

over-eating which causes:

1) unbalanced rumen

2) Clostridium Per fringes(Type C & D)overgrowth

What are the treatments for Enterotoxemia(overeating disease)?

1) supportive care

2) probiotics

3) Banamine medicine

What is the prevention of Enterotoxemia(overeating disease)?

1) secure feed

2) Vaccinate (CDT)

What are the clinical signs/symptoms of Pregnancy Toxemia(Ketosis)?

1) anorexia

2) depression

3) ataxia(incoordination)

4) lethargy

5) blindness

6) death

What are the causes of Pregnancy Toxemia(Ketosis)?

The use of nutrient stores which causes fat to breakdown which releases Ketones; lack of nutrients

What are the treatments for Pregnancy Toxemia(Ketosis)?

1) supportive care

2) IV fluids

3) Propylene Glycol IV

What is the prevention for Pregnancy Toxemia(Ketosis)?

1) increasing feed

2) adequate nutrition

What is Grass Tetany/Hypomagnesemia(Staggers)?

When lush, fresh spring grass causes a deficiency is magnesium

What are the clinical signs/symptoms of Grass Tetany/Hypomagnesemia(Staggers)?

1) eye twitching

2) staring

3) muscle tremors

4) death(within 2-3 hours)

What are the causes of Grass Tetany/Hypomagnesemia(Staggers)?

Consumption of grass with low amounts of magnesium

What is the treatment for Grass Tetany/Hypomagnesemia(Staggers)?

Magnesium and Calcium through an IV

What is the prevention of Grass Tetany/Hypomagnesemia(Staggers)?

1) adequate diet

2) salt and mineral blocks

What are the clinical signs/symptoms of Polioencephalomalacia?

1) ataxia(incoordination)

2) anorexia

3) depression

What is the cause of Polioencephalomalacia?

Thiamine(Vitamin B1) deficiency

What are the treatments for Polioencephalomalacia?

Thiamine injections

What is the prevention of Polioencephalomalacia?

Supplement Thiamine(Vitamin B1)

What are 3 ways to test sheep and goats for pregnancy?

1) ELISA Blood Test

2) Urine (Estrone Sulfate)

3) Ultrasound(most definitive)

What type of placenta do ruminants have?

Cotyledonary Placenta

How do we feed sheep in early pregnancy?

During first 3.5 months they should be fed maintenance rations and free choice minerals + hay and pasture

How do we feed sheep in late pregnancy?

During the last 6-8 weeks feed should be increased to 1-1.5 pounds per day

When will we move the sheep up to the barn for birthing? When are our sheep due to deliver?

7-10 days before due(after Spring Break); ours are due around April 15

What supplies are needed to prepare for delivery?

1) gloves

2) towels

3) stethoscope

4) thermometer

5) Iodine

What is septicemia?

an infection throughout the entire body

What is mastitis?

inflammation of the mammary glands; can be caused by trauma to teat or blockage

What is Navel Ill?

infection of the umbilical cord(navel)

What are the clinical signs/symptoms of Navel Ill?

1) lameness

2) fever

3) swollen umbilicus & joints

What are the causes of Navel Ill?

improper dipping of navel

What are the treatments for Navel Ill?

1) antibiotics

2) supportive care

What is the prevention for Navel Ill?

Dipping the navel daily

What is Hypothermia?

when an animal becomes too cold

What are the clinical signs/symptoms of Hypothermia?

1) shaking/shivering

2) unresponsive

What is the cause of Hypothermia?

abnormally low body temperatures

What are the treatments for Hypothermia?

1) heat lamps

2) towels

3) sometimes warm with fluids

What is the prevention for Hypothermia?

1) encourage mom to not neglect baby

What are the clinical signs/symptoms of Coccidiosis?

1) failure to thrive

2) hunched back

3) thin

4) depressed

What are the causes of Coccidiosis?

intestinal parasite

What are the treatments for Coccidiosis?

deworming

What is the prevention for Coccidiosis?

deworming

What are Scours?

major diarrhea

What is the cause of Scours?

1) intestinal parasites

2) poor sanitation practices

3) changing diet too fast

What is the prevention for Scours?

1) probiotics

2) maintain diet

What is Meconium?

first manure passed by a newborn

What are the clinical signs/symptoms of Meconium?

1) birthing fluids stained dark yellow

2) baby covered/coated in a yellow color

What is the cause of Meconium?

the lamb becoming stressed during delivery and excreting their first bowel movement before or during birth; dystocia

What are the treatments for Meconium?

antibiotics

What is the prevention for Meconium?

Try to make parturition the least amount stressful for mom and baby; be there to help

What are the physical signs of parturition?

1) ligaments around tail base loosen

2) vulva and udder enlarge

3) udder becomes rosy and shiny

4) teats appear stiff and full

5) normal, clear to slightly cloudy mucus discharge

What are the behavioral signs of parturition?

1) standing alone/apart from herd

2) bleating and/or nickering continuously

3) claiming their spot and defending it

4) pawing and restlessness

5) may stop eating

6) nesting

What occurs during Stage I of labor?

1) slight contractions

2) isolation

3) moaning

4) swollen vulva

5) loses mucus plug

5) lasts 1-12 hours

What occurs during Stage II of labor?

1) contractions strong enough to produce a baby

2) lying down or standing up and squatting with contractions

3) baby should arrive within 30 minutes when contractions start

4) if it takes longer than 2 hours with contractions, then its a problem

5) if baby is visible, but takes longer than 20-30 minutes, that’s a problem

What occurs during Stage III of labor?

1) uterine contractions with delivery of the placenta

2) placenta should be passed in 3 hours

3) possibility of retained placenta; can add fluid/give medicine to help deliver placenta

What is the proper presentation of a lamb or kid?

Anterior presentation in the dorsosacral position(diving position)

When should newborns stand and nurse?

they should stand within 1 hour of birth and nurse within 2 hours of birth

How often should lambs and kids nurse?

every 15 minutes to 1 hour

What are the basic treatments for newborn lambs and kids?

1) babies should be checked every few hours during first 24 hours of life

2) bottle or tube feed if mother won’t/rejects them

3) dipping umbilicus(navel) in Iodine

4) stimulate babies with blanket

5) weigh babies