Lambing/Kidding, Breeding process and behavior

Hand mating

physically bring doe/ewe to buck/ram, record actual date of mating

Pasture mating

leave buck/ram with doe/ewes for a certain period of time, 40-45 days allows for 2 estrous cycles.

flehman response

males flip up their lip to expose the vomeronasal organ sending chemical messages to potential mates

full udder, swelling and relaxation of the vulva, relaxation of pelvic girdle

physical signs prior to lambing/kidding

dilation of cervix, expulsion of fetus, expulsion of placenta

Stages of parturition

front feet first

position in which the lamb/kid should come out

dystocia

Difficulty in giving birth, if after 15 minutes there is no progression there may need to be assistance.

lambing jug/kidding pen

small clean spaces where mother and child are placed for bonding

ewe-lamb bond

behavior in which ewe protects lambs from predators, will fight predators if threat is opposed

tail wagging

nursing behavior in which a lamb/kid will wag its tail when receiving milk

inadequate production

common for some first time mothers, bottle feeding may be needed if issue continues

head down, ears drooping, too weak to stand

injury identification in lamb/kid

4-5 parities

avg. number of parities in lifetime

CDT vaccination (clostridium C&D and tetanus)

vaccination prevents overeating and tetanus. given at 8 weeks of age, with a booster later on

tail docking

removal of the tail which helps prevent wool tags, wool maggots, and fly strike

banding

technique in tail removal in which a tight rubber band cuts off blood circulation, causing the tail to become necrotic and eventually fall off.

hot knife

used in tail removal, debudding, as well as to cut testes

disbudding/dehorning

within the first 3-5 days of life, in which horns are removed to prevent them from getting stuck, injuring other animals or humans, and making it easier to put them in milking stalls

creep feeding

management practice in which supplemental feed is given to lamb/kid to help them wean from the mother's milk

weaning

process in which the lamb/kid stops nursing from the mother. can take 45, 90, or 120 days

Colostrum

first excretion of the udder when beginning feeding. It includes immunoglobins to support the immune system, as well as high fats and proteins.