lamb husbandry

Question 1

normal temperature of a lamb

Answer 1

39-40

Question 2

what do you dip the naval into after birth and why?

Answer 2

iodine, to reduce tracking up of bacteria into abdomen

Question 3

what is tail docking

Answer 3

surgical or non surgical removal of a large proportion of the tail

Question 4

why do you tail dock

Answer 4

prevent accumulation of matted faeces that would increase risk of fly strike

Question 5

when can you legally tail dock

Answer 5

• under 7 days old to minimise pain and suffering but usually after 24 hours of birth to allow maternal bonding

Question 6

how can you non surgically tail dock?

Answer 6

rubber rings/bands

Question 7

what should you consider with tail docking?

Answer 7

• enough tail should be left to cover the anus and vulva
• rubber rings can only be applied within 7 days
• is it really necessary? some breeds don’t need to be docked

Question 8

what is castration?

Answer 8

surgical or non surgical removal or alteration of the testes to render the male infertile

Question 9

why castrate?

Answer 9

• to avoid unnecessary breeding
• to avoid tainting of the meat associated with excessive testosterone levels

Question 10

when can you castrate?

Answer 10

• under 7 days old to minimise pain and suffering but usually after 24 hours of birth to allow maternal bonding

Question 11

how can you castrate?

Answer 11

• rubber rings/bands
• emasculator/burdizzo
• surgically

Question 12

what welfare considerations are there with castration?

Answer 12

• rubber rings within 7 days only
• after 7 days can use emasculator/burdizzo but WITH anaesthetic
• once over 3 months only a vet can perform procedure
• is it really necessary?

Question 13

what is entropion?

Answer 13

presence of in-turned eyelid

Question 14

what is dystocia?

Answer 14

obstructed labour

Question 15

weight of single newborn lamb?

Answer 15

5.5-7kg

Question 16

weight of twin newborn lambs?

Answer 16

5-6kg

Question 17

newborn triplet weight

Answer 17

greater than 4kg

Question 18

why are lambs susceptible to hypothermia?

Answer 18

• birth coat has low insulation
• large SA to volume ratio = increased weight loss
• newborn are wet = high heat loss rate

Question 19

what temperature is severe hypothermia?

Answer 19

under 37

Question 20

what ways can you help with fostering lambs?

Answer 20

• transfer feotal fluids nto foser lamb
• skinning dead lamb and placing onto foster
• foster crates or haltering o she stops butting the lamb away

Question 21

how do you select lambs for slaughter?

Answer 21

• rib coverage: individual ribs hard to detect
• dock coverage: moderate pressure should mean individual vertebral bones easy to detect