Small Ruminant Nutrition & Systems

Small Ruminant Nutrition & Systems PART III

Introduction

  • Presenter: Dr. Nancy Irlbeck, Comparative Nutritionist.

  • Focuses on nutrition specifically for sheep and small ruminants.

Protein Sources for Sheep

  • Forage considerations:

    • Alfalfa

    • Immature grass hay

    • Grazing methods

  • Energy sources:

    • Evaluate grain options

    • Use of by-products in feed

    • Soybean meal

    • Canola meal (not widely available)

    • Cull lentils, peas, garbanzos (pulses)

  • Microbial protein: Acknowledges that sheep, as ruminants, rely on microbial protein for nutrition.

Energy Sources in Diet

  • Carbohydrates (CHO's):

    • Starches from grains provide energy but have low protein content.

    • High phosphorus content considerations.

  • Comparison of grains:

    • Wheat, corn, milo (specific traits mentioned).

    • Chewing behavior in sheep: Sheep chew finely; lambs may require processed grain.

Grain Processing

  • Grain form matters:

    • Cracked grains with size 2.45 mm, coarse grind, fine grind (size .89 mm).

  • Potential risks:

    • Too much grain can lead to acidosis.

Acidosis

  • Define acidosis:

    • A serious condition resulting from excessive grain consumption affecting digestive health.

  • Visual reference: Image depicting the abdomen of an animal suffering from severe acidosis.

Water Belly / Urolithiasis

  • Condition characteristics:

    • Urinary calculi leading to inability to urinate and stone development.

    • Inverse Ca:P ratio leading to issues in feedlot lambs.

  • Prevention and treatment strategies:

    • Use of acidifiers like ammonium chloride (note: not palatable).

    • Proper dietary balance with grass hay and grain.

Estimating Age of Sheep and Goats

  • Method:

    • Determine the age by the replacement of milk teeth with permanent incisors.

  • Variability factors:

    • Individual animal, breed, environment, and nutrition play roles in age estimation.

Enterotoxemia

  • Caused by: Clostridium Perfringes (Types C & D).

  • Vaccination: Use of Tetanus Toxoid (Bar Vac® CD/T) for prevention.

  • Dosage specifics: 250 ml for 50 cattle doses or 125 sheep/goat doses.

Physiological Status of Sheep

  • Stages of growth:

    • Neonate

    • Early

    • Late

  • Flushing: Referring to the increased ovulation rates.

  • Gestation:

    • Divided into 1st 2/3 and last 1/3 trimesters.

  • Lactation:

    • Early vs. late stages during lamb rearing.

  • Maintenance: Care for adult sheep.

Ewe Life Cycle Energy Requirements

  • Energy needed (in MJ/d) for maintaining weight by condition score:

    • Dry ewes:

    • Maintenance energy varies by frame size:

      • Small frame (45kg), medium frame (50kg), large frame (60kg).

    • Energy requirements based on condition score (Table 1a references given).

Nutritional Balancing

  • Diet considerations:

    • Requirements for a ewe with late gestation twin lambs and the need for adjusting feeding amounts.

  • Key parameters listed include:-

    • Crude Protein (CP)

    • Calcium (Ca)

    • Magnesium (Mg)

    • Phosphorus (P)

    • Additional minerals are noted with their required amounts.

Body Condition Score (BCS)

  • Condition scores:

    • Score 1 (emaciated): angular, narrow; prominent back and neck bones.

    • Score 2 (thin): smooth backbone texture; ribs easily felt.

    • Score 3 (average): slightly raised backbone; ribs can be felt smooth.

    • Score 4 (fat): well-rounded appearance; ribs are covered.

    • Score 5 (obese): even roundness; ribs hardly palpable.

  • Visual representations and illustrations cited.

Hazards of Gestation and Lactation

  • Issues of concern:

    • Hypocalcemia (milk fever) and pregnancy toxemia in late gestation.

    • Prevention includes careful dietary management and monitoring of body condition scores.

Neonates

  • Dependency on milk:

    • Importance of maternal milk for nutrient acquisition.

  • Vitamin injection considerations:

    • Selenium and vitamin E injections recommended shortly after birth as preventive measures against deficiencies.

Rumen Development

  • Stages of feed intake:

    • Transition from milk to solid foods.

    • Diagram illustrating the compartmental development of the rumen in young animals, emphasizing the growth and adaptation process.

Feeding Strategies for Rumen Development

  • Types of diets:

    • Milk only.

    • Milk & hay.

    • Milk & grain.

  • Importance of early weaning strategies discussed.