Herd Health Management and Husbandry Practices

First 48 hours

critical period of newborn calves, kids, and lambs

Colostrum

provides immunoglobulins (passive immunity), energy, vitamins A & D, and acts as a laxative.

Omphalitis

Dip the navel in iodine to prevent _

3–5 days

After colostrum, transition to milk or milk replacer. For goats, natural suckling may be allowed for __, then kids are reared by bottle/bucket feeding to allow controlled milking of does.

2 weeks

Introduce calf starter at __(16–18% CP, 70–75% TDN). Clean water must be available early to stimulate rumen function.

• Good hay or roughage stimulates papillae development

Creep feeding

Introduce __ by 2–3 weeks; use palatable concentrates and legume forages

Weaning Age of Cattle

4–5 months under traditional management; as early as 6–8 weeks in intensive systems if starter intake ≥1 kg/day

Weaning Age of Goats/Sheep

2–3 months if kids/lambs are eating forage/concentrates well

Deworming

May be needed from 10–14 days in high-risk environments

0.5–0.75 kg/day

raised on pasture with minerals; gain __

Cattle

First breeding at 15–18 months (60 days postpartum) (when 65–70% of mature BW).

Goats

Breed at 8–10 months if ≥15–20 kg

~20 cows

Young bulls (2.5 years) can serve

30–40 cows

mature bulls can serve up to

Bucks/rams

8–12 mos old serve ≤20; older animals ≥25.

Late gestation (last 1/3)

• Nutrient needs rise sharply — supply higher energy/protein to prevent pregnancy toxemia.

• Provide minerals, especially Ca and P; Vitamin A, D, E injections around 6–7 months (cattle).

Lactating animals

• Twice-a-day milking; emphasize udder hygiene to prevent mastitis.

• High-energy ration with sufficient protein and Ca for milk production.

• Monitor BCS — avoid ketosis in early lactation

Dry period (60–90 days)

Goats: milk declines after 3 mos; drying-off at 6–8 weeks pre-kidding

• Allow udder tissue recovery, body reserve replenishment.

• Feed controlled-energy diets to prevent metabolic disorders at next calving/kidding.

• Vaccinate against diseases (e.g., coliform mastitis, clostridial diseases).

Early lactation (0–70 DIM)

• High-energy, high-protein diet to support peak milk yield.

• Monitor for metabolic diseases (ketosis, milk fever, displaced abomasum).

Mid-lactation (70–200 DIM)

Focus on maintaining milk yield and BCS recovery

Late lactation (>200 DIM)

Milk yield declines; prepare for dry period

Milking management

• Pre-milking teat sanitation, dry wiping, post-dip after milking.

• Machine maintenance and proper vacuum levels to prevent mastitis.

• Monitor somatic cell counts (SCC) as indicator of udder health

Cows

60–90 days dry period for udder regeneration.

Goats

Milk yield declines after 3 months; drying-off 6–8 weeks before next kidding.

Dry Period (Dairy Cows and Does)

Management: Shift to lower-energy rations, deworming, hoof trimming, vaccinations

Hoof Trimming

• Frequency: at least 1–2×/year in confined animals; less in extensive grazing where natural wear occurs.

• Benefits: prevents lameness, improves feed intake and fertility, reduces infections like foot rot.

• Technique: trim claws level with sole, restore normal shape; disinfect if lesions are present

Disbudding/Dehorning

prevents injuries, facilitates handling, reduces feed bunk space needs

Disbudding

Ideal before 3 weeks (kids) or 2 months (calves), before horn core attaches to skull.

Dehorning (older animals)

more invasive; should be avoided if possible

Castration

Why: prevents indiscriminate breeding, improves meat quality, reduces aggression

<6 months

Castration of Cattle

Goats/Sheep

2–4 weeks (elastrator); after 4 mos, use surgical/Burdizzo

Elastrator rings

best device in castrating very young animals

Burdizzo

a veterinary instrument, a type of castrator, that uses a large clamp to crush the spermatic cords and blood vessels of male farm animals without cutting the scrotum

Elastrator

a tool used with a rubber band to perform banding, a bloodless castration method for young livestock like sheep, goats, and calves, as well as for tail docking. The rubber ring cuts off blood flow to the testicles, causing them to atrophy and fall off within a few weeks

Traditional

Calves weaning 4-5 months

2–3 months

Kids/Lambs weaning period

Identification records

birthdate, parentage, tag/brand.

Production records

milk yield, weight gain, body condition, slaughter weights.

Reproduction records

heat detection, breeding dates, conception, calving/kidding.

Health records

vaccinations, deworming, disease treatments, mortalities.

Feeding records

feed rations, grazing schedules, feed costs.

Financial records

sales, expenses, profit/loss.