Feeding of the young lamb Flashcards
In utero nutrition is based on…?
glucose and AA delivered via the placenta
What is the main energy source of a newborn lamb?
VFA
Name the factors influencing lamb birth weight
- Ewe age
- Ewe nutrition
- Placenta size
- Litter size
- Genetic potential
What is the effect of a low birth weight on the newborn lamb?
- Increased mortality
- Reduced growth rate
- Increased carcass fatness
- Reduced fleece thickness
___ increase in lamb mortality for every ___ decrease in lamb BW
12% 0.9kg
Lambs need at least __ ml of colostrum per kg of body weight during their first __ hours of life
50 ml 24 hours
Name the colostrum sources
- Lambs mother
- Fresh colostrum from another ewe that has lambed
- Frozen colostrum from another ewe in the flock
- Fresh or frozen goat or ewe colostrum from another farm
- Cow colostrum
- Synthetic colostrum
- Ewe milk replacer
What do we provide orphan lambs with no colostrum available?
Egg yolk + milk + some added lactose
- No sugar, fructose or maltose – why?
- No egg white - avidin binds biotin
Feed orphan lamb +- ___% of BW over ___ feedings/day until approx. day ___, then reduce milk intake and n feedings
10%
4 feedings
day 25
What does milk replacers contain?
- Skimmed milk powder, fat, Vit A,D,E and probiotic
- 25% CP, 24% fat, 2g Met & 5g Lys/day.
- Fatty acids 2/3 long chain and 1/3short chain
How do we get orphan lambs?
- Death of the ewe
- Udder dysfunction
- 3rd lamb of triplets
Describe the process of feeding milk replacer
- Place the lamb in a warm dry enclosed area
- Lambs should not be able to see or hear their mother
- Do not place with other lambs if possible
- Inject iron, Vit. A,D,E and ? Se, probiotic
- Make sure the milk replacer contains antibiotic
- Milk replacer should be diluted with water to a minimum of 17-20 % DM
- Mix powder in warm water and cool
- Warm milk may be needed to start at first, but move to feeding cold milk to prevent lambs from overfeeding
- In a self-feeding system, each lamb will consume 1-2 L daily
- Utensils must be kept clean
- Provide plenty of fresh water
- Creep feeding dry or solid food can start at about 3 weeks of age
When does a ewe’s milk production peak?
Between 3 and 5 weeks of lactation
What is the reason for creep feeding?
A means of providing extra nutrients to nursing lambs – puts on extra weight and helps to develop rumen
Beneficial to lambs managed in an intensive system in which early weaning is practiced
Advantageous in flocks that have a lot of multiple births or flocks where milk production is limited
Describe the physical factors of a creep feed cage
- Opening in the fence or gate that is large enough for the lambs to get through, but too small for the ewes to enter
- The creep area should be located in a high traffic area
- A light will help to attract the lambs
- It should be kept dry and well-bedded
- Should have ~0.14 – 0.18 m2 per lamb
- Should have a 20cm opening
- 5 cm/ lamb feeding space
- Feeders that the lambs cannot stand or play in
