Management and Husbandry Flashcards
What is important regarding availability of ruminants?
Sheep and goats are typically available from purpose-bred SPF vendors while cattle are not. Lamb and kids may be difficult to locate in fall and winter months. Auction or sales barn not appropriate due to animals being culls of unknown genetics and poor health status.
What should sheep, coats, and cattle be vaccinated against?
Sheep/goats - Tetanus and clostridial diseases
Cattle - BVDV, rhinotracheitis, BRSV, bovine parainfluenza 3, and lepto
What should be the light intensity for sheep and goats?
220 lux
What is more important, ventilation or preserving warmth in winter? Why?
Ventilation should be increased at the expense of lower temperatures. Adult goats and cattle are comfortable at colder temps if provided adequate bedding and draft protection. Sheep’s wool make them tolerant to hot and cold.
Describe castration in cattle.
Either at birth, or 2-3 months later. Performed at less than 230 kg
No band w/o applicators if >1 week old
If greater than 230 kg, local anesthesia needed. Surgical or crushing method
Describe dehorning in cattle.
Dehorn when buds appear at 3-6 weeks. If less than 1 month, anesthesia not required. If greater than 1 month, anesthesia required.
Describe tail docking in cattle.
Literature does not support this as a means of improving milk quality or cow cleanliness.
Describe naval dipping in cattle.
Dip ASAP in 7% iodine.
When should supernumerary teats be removed?
3 months old
What is crutching?
Removal of wool around perineal and mammary areas.
When are sheep and goats castrated?
24hrs to 7 days. Kids should be castrated within first few days of life.
Describe tail docking in sheep/goats?
Common in sheep, done at less than 2 weeks old.
Performed where the caudal folds attach to the tail. Reduces the incidence of rectal prolapse to negligible levels.
When are goats dehorned/disbudded?
Should be within first few weeks of life.
If less than 1 month, anesthesia not required, cautery preferred. If older than one month, anesthesia needed.
What vitamins do nutrition mixtures often provide?
Vitamins A, D, and E
What diets can goats be fed?
Horse and sheep feed
What diets can sheep not be fed?
Supplements formulated for horses, as they are prone to copper toxicity.
What is the concern regarding lush spring pastures?
Can induce bloat, diarrhea, grass tetany, or nitrate poisoning, especially if they contain alfalfa
How are sheep, goat, and cattle eating styles categorized?
Sheep and cattle and grazers, goats are browsers.
Why are goats less likely to need grain supplementation?
Goats are selective eaters, and tend to consume the leafy or more nutritious parts of the plant.
What nutrition characteristics induce urinary calculi in male ruminants?
Excessive phosphorus, a low calcium-phosphorus ratio, or elevated magnesium. Forage grasses high in silicates and oxalates.
Describe flushing.
Feed females 200-400g of concentrates/head/day for several weeks before and after the initiation of the breeding season to increase ovulation rates in does and ewes.
How should thin pregnant does and eyes be supported?
Receive supplemental grain and ad libitum forage during the last 6 weeks of gestation.
How do newborn ruminants receive passive immunity?
Must receive it from colostrum
Is suckling sufficient in dairy calves to receive appropriate immunity? What volume of colostrum is required for immunity?
Suckling is not necessary sufficient.
Holstein should receive first 2L meal w/i 4 hours and consume at least 100g of IgG in first 24 hours. IgG requirement can be met with 4L of good-quality colostrum.
