Small Ruminants

Question 1

What is the general management of small ruminants (SR) dairy herds?

Answer 1

Question 2

What is the legal limit SCC for SR dairy milk? For standard plate count? What should you aim for?

Answer 2

SCC: 1 x 10^6 cells/mL

Standard Plate Count: <100,000 cells/mL

Aim for <5000 cells/mL

Question 3

What is the difference in position during shearing between goats and sheep?

Answer 3

sheep are sheared while recumbent

goats: recumbent or standing

Question 4

When is the breeding and lambing seasons for goats and sheep in the meat production business?

When are kids/lambs usually weaned?

What is the difference in finishing between goats and sheep?

Answer 4

fall breeding, spring lambing

60-120 days

goats: less concentrates fed and usually stay with a producer who feeds them until market weight (lambs sometimes go to a feedlot)

Question 5

Name for a castrated goat/sheep?

Answer 5

wether

Question 6

How can you distinguish sheep from goats?

Answer 6

Question 7

What are the differences in sheep vs. goat behavior?

Answer 7

Question 8

T/F In sheep and goats, normal bronchovesicular sounds are comparatively harsh and it can be difficult to detect lung disease

What diagnostic tool can be used to differ from normal sounds and disease?

Answer 8

True

U/S

Question 9

Normal TPR for goats and sheep?

Answer 9

Question 10

What is something specific to check on rams when doing EENT and head?

Answer 10

skull fractures/sinus injuries d/t fighting

Question 11

Estimate the age of the sheep.

Answer 11

Question 12

What should you examine the udder for?

Answer 12

– Abnormal: asymmetry, heat, pain, swelling or fibrotic lesions
– If lactating, strip out milk and examine
– Check for teat lesions

Question 13

How can a urine sample be obtained from sheep?

Answer 13

briefly occlude the nostrils

Question 14

What is palpated to assess BCS in sheep and goats?

Answer 14

dorsal and transverse spinous processes

Question 15

BCS scoring in sheep/goats?

Answer 15

Question 16

BCS?

Answer 16

3

Question 17

BCS?

Answer 17

5

Question 18

BCS?

Answer 18

1

Question 19

Normal birth weight for sheep and goats?

What are two weight measurements important to obtain t assess the growth of the kid/lamb and performance of the dam?

Answer 19

goats- varies based on breed

sheep- 8-13lbs single lambs, 7-10lbs for twin lambs

birth and weaning weight

Question 20

If sheep/goats >1yr are going to be moving via interstate commerce, what is required?

Answer 20

scrapie ID tags (once put on →illegal to remove)

Question 21

When is it best to castrate for meat/fiber animals? For pet animals-why?

Answer 21

4-14days (vary for meat breeds depending on age to market)

Pet animals: wait till >3mo to reduce risk of obstructive urolithiasis (esp pygmies or mini breeds)

Question 22

What are the two bloodless castration techniques?

What do animals need to be vax against prior to performing a castration?

Answer 22

elastrator bands (<1week, always give tetanus AT)

burdizzo emasculatome

tetanus (+/- antitoxin)

Question 23

When is performing a tail docking best? What are the two methods?

Answer 23

2-7 days of age

electronic docking iron (best option) & elastrator bands

Question 24

Where is the best location for tail docking?

What will sheep/goats will tails docked too short be predisposed to?

Answer 24

no shorter than the distal end of the caudal tail fold

If too short: vaginal and rectal prolapses & perineal neoplasia (SCC)

Question 25

Oral administration of antihelminthics is recommended for goats e/c with which med?

Answer 25

moxidectin

Question 26

What are the 5 C’s to raising kids/lambs?

Answer 26

colostrum

calories

cleanliness

comfort

consistency

Question 27

What BCS do we want males at for the start of breeding season?

Answer 27

3-4